Does Enbrel Make You Gain Weight? Examining Patient Experiences and Clinical Evidence

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to clinical studies, weight gain was not reported as a direct side effect of Enbrel. However, many patients taking the medication for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis report experiencing weight changes, leading to the common question: Does Enbrel make you gain weight?.

Quick Summary

While clinical trials do not list weight gain as a direct side effect of Enbrel, patients may experience modest increases due to inflammation reduction. Other factors, including improved health, increased appetite, and concurrent use of other medications like corticosteroids, can contribute to weight changes. Unexplained, rapid weight gain is a serious symptom requiring medical evaluation.

Key Points

Not a Direct Side Effect: Clinical trials for Enbrel did not report weight gain as a direct adverse effect.
Inflammation Reduction: Some weight gain on Enbrel is a sign of improved health, as the medication counters inflammation-induced weight loss (cachexia).
Modest Changes: Studies suggest that TNF inhibitors, including etanercept (Enbrel), can be associated with small, average increases in body weight over time.
Consider Other Medications: Concurrent use of corticosteroids like prednisone is a well-known cause of significant weight gain that can be mistakenly attributed to Enbrel.
Alert for Serious Complications: Unexplained, rapid weight gain, particularly with swelling, can be a symptom of serious heart failure, requiring immediate medical evaluation.
Lifestyle Management: Maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in appropriate physical activity can help manage body weight while on treatment.

The Relationship Between Enbrel, Inflammation, and Weight

Understanding the potential for weight gain while on Enbrel (etanercept) requires looking beyond the medication itself to the underlying conditions it treats. Enbrel is a type of biologic drug known as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. It works by blocking TNF-alpha, a pro-inflammatory protein that plays a key role in several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Chronic, systemic inflammation from these diseases can significantly impact metabolism and body weight.

Inflammation and Weight Loss

For some patients, a highly active inflammatory disease can lead to unintended weight loss and muscle wasting, a condition known as cachexia. This is often caused by high levels of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha, which can suppress appetite and increase muscle breakdown.

Treatment-Related Weight Gain

When Enbrel effectively blocks TNF-alpha and reduces inflammation, it can reverse this metabolic state. As a patient's symptoms improve and their disease activity decreases, their appetite may return to normal, and their overall energy and quality of life may increase. This often leads to a regain of the weight they lost during the period of high inflammation. The weight gain, in this case, is not an adverse effect of the drug, but rather a sign that the treatment is working and the patient's health is improving. Several studies on TNF inhibitors have documented a modest average weight increase in patients after starting treatment.

The Role of Other Medications and Lifestyle Factors

Weight changes in patients with autoimmune diseases are not always solely tied to the biologic therapy. Several other factors can influence body weight.

Concurrent Medications

Patients are often on other medications alongside Enbrel. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are frequently used to manage flare-ups and are well-known to cause significant weight gain and fluid retention. If a patient's weight increases while on Enbrel, it is crucial to consider the potential influence of corticosteroids.

Increased Physical Activity

An improvement in joint pain and overall health can allow a patient to become more physically active. While exercise generally helps with weight management, changes in activity levels and body composition (e.g., muscle gain) can affect overall weight. The Arthritis Foundation recommends physical activity for patients with conditions like psoriatic arthritis to aid weight management and support joint health.

A Comparison of Biologic and Other RA Treatments

Here is a comparison of common rheumatoid arthritis medications and their potential effect on weight, based on available evidence:


Medication Class	Example(s)	Weight Gain Potential	Key Mechanism for Weight Change
TNF Inhibitors	Enbrel, Humira, Remicade	Modest to small increase	Blocking pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha can lead to recovery from inflammation-induced weight loss (cachexia).
Corticosteroids	Prednisone	Significant increase	Increase appetite, promote insulin resistance, and cause fluid retention.
Conventional DMARDs	Methotrexate	Modest increase or variable	Modest increase seen in some studies, though some patients experience appetite suppression.
JAK Inhibitors	Xeljanz, Rinvoq	Variable	Some studies suggest modest weight changes, with potential links to changes in fat cell types or disease control.

When to Contact a Doctor

While modest and gradual weight gain after starting Enbrel may indicate that the medication is effectively controlling inflammation, some types of weight changes warrant immediate medical attention.

Sudden or Rapid Weight Gain

Rapid weight gain, especially when accompanied by swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs, can be a symptom of heart failure, a serious side effect of Enbrel. It is crucial to contact a healthcare provider immediately if this occurs.

Managing Your Weight While on Enbrel

If you are concerned about weight gain, it is important to communicate with your healthcare provider. They can help you determine the cause of any weight changes and create a suitable management plan. Strategies include:

Balanced Diet: Focusing on whole, anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Limiting processed foods and excess sugar is often recommended.
Physical Activity: Incorporating low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or yoga, which are gentle on the joints. A physical therapist can also recommend a safe and effective routine.
Medication Review: Discussing all current medications with your doctor, as other drugs, particularly corticosteroids, could be the primary cause of weight gain.

Conclusion

In summary, while clinical studies do not identify weight gain as a direct side effect of Enbrel, many patients do experience modest weight increases after starting the medication. This is often a result of recovering from the inflammation-induced weight loss associated with their autoimmune condition, a sign that the treatment is working. However, weight changes can also be influenced by other medications, such as corticosteroids, or, in rare cases, indicate a serious medical complication like heart failure. Managing weight while on Enbrel involves a combination of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and open communication with your healthcare provider to understand the cause and develop an effective strategy.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for any questions regarding your treatment and side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Weight gain is not listed as a common direct side effect in Enbrel's clinical studies. However, many patients report experiencing weight changes, which can be due to indirect factors such as improved health or other medications.

Your weight might increase because Enbrel is effectively treating the inflammation caused by your condition. Chronic inflammation can cause weight loss and muscle wasting. When the inflammation is reduced, your appetite may return to normal, and your overall health improves, leading to a modest regain of weight.

Yes. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are frequently prescribed alongside Enbrel and are a well-documented cause of significant weight gain and fluid retention. It is important to discuss all your medications with your doctor.

You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience rapid or unexplained weight gain, especially if accompanied by swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs. This could be a symptom of a serious condition like heart failure.

Yes, a healthy diet and regular physical activity are important for overall health and can help manage weight. Focusing on anti-inflammatory foods and low-impact exercise can be particularly beneficial.

Research suggests that TNF inhibitors like Enbrel and Humira can cause modest, average weight increases. These increases are generally small but can vary between individuals and different medications.

Do not stop taking Enbrel without consulting your doctor. If weight gain is due to improved health or inflammation reduction, stopping the medication could cause your underlying condition to worsen. Your doctor can help determine the best course of action.