Enbrel

Generic name: Etanercept

Why is Enbrel prescribed?

Enbrel is used to relieve the symptoms and slow the progress of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It's also prescribed to relieve the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. It can be added to methotrexate therapy when methotrexate fails to provide adequate relief. Prescribed alone, it is also used for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when other drugs have failed.

Enbrel is the first in a class of drugs designed to block the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a naturally occurring protein responsible for much of the joint inflammation that plagues the victims of rheumatoid arthritis. In clinical trials, Enbrel provided the majority of patients with significant relief.

Enbrel is also used to reduce the symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory condition that results in stiffness and immobility and can sometimes cause joints and bones to fuse together.

In addition, Enbrel is used to treat chronic, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, a condition where the skin is red and covered with silvery scales and inflammation (patches of round or oval red plaques that itch or burn).

Most important fact about Enbrel

TNF plays a significant role in the immune system, so blocking its action can lower your resistance to infection. Serious—and even fatal—infections have been known to occur, especially in people whose immune systems have already been weakened by advancing age, conditions such as heart failure or diabetes, or drugs such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. Due to the possibility of lowered resistance, children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis should be brought up to date with all immunizations before starting Enbrel therapy.

How should you take Enbrel?

Enbrel is given by injection under the skin of the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Your doctor will instruct you in the proper drug preparation and injection technique and supervise your first injection in the office. You should rotate injection sites and make each new injection at least 1 inch from an older one. Never inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard.