Does enbrel cause hair loss or thinning?

Does enbrel cause hair loss or thinning

Enbrel (etanercept) is a TNF inhibitor used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Clinical trials and post-marketing reports show hair loss listed as an adverse event, but it remains uncommon.

How rare is it

Reports submitted to the FDA suggest hair loss occurs in less than 1% of patients. Clinical data indicate it is usually mild and may reverse after stopping treatment.

What mechanism might cause it

TNF inhibitors like Enbrel can disrupt normal hair follicle cycling by altering inflammatory signals. Some patients experience telogen effluvium, a temporary shedding phase, rather than permanent loss.

What patients report online

Forums and patient surveys show mixed results. Many find no effect on hair, while others describe thinning that appears several months into treatment. Some report regrowth after dose adjustment or discontinuation.

When does patent expire

Enbrel's key U.S. patents expired in 2029, but biosimilar versions such as Erelzi, Brenzys, and Eticovo have already entered markets in Europe and the North America under settlement agreements.