Details

Etanercept works by decreasing a certain protein produced by the immune system. The immune system helps the body fight infections. In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakes the body's own cells for invaders and attacks them. Etanercept is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, and to prevent joint damage caused by these conditions. It is also used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old. To make sure you can safely use etanercept, tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system, or any type of infection including a skin infection or open sores diabetes congestive heart failure a nerve disorder such as multiple sclerosis, myelitis, or optic neuritis epilepsy or other seizure disorder asthma or other breathing disorder if you have ever had hepatitis B if you are allergic to latex rubber or if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines, or if you have recently been vaccinated with BCG.

Typical Uses

Etanercept is used alone or in combination with an immunosuppressant (such as methotrexate) to treat certain types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, juvenile idiopathic, and ankylosing spondylitis), as well as a skin condition called psoriasis. These conditions are caused by an overactive immune system (autoimmune disease). The immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells, causing inflammation in the joints and skin.

Side Effects

Stop using etanercept and inform your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of lymphoma such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness feeling full after eating only a small amount pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate or nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Some of the other side effects of etanercept include signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, confusion, neck stiffness, flu symptoms) shortness of breath with swelling, rapid weight gain chest pain, ongoing cough, coughing up mucus or blood signs of skin infection such as itching, swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing black, bloody, or tarry stools changes in mood or personality (in children) numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behaviour, and/or seizure (convulsions) or patchy skin colour, red spots, or a butterfly-shaped skin rash over your cheeks and nose (worsens in sunlight).

Drug Interactions

• Etanercept+abatacept- Using etanercept together with abatacept is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of serious infections. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, muscle weakness, or other flu-like symptoms during treatment with these medications.

• Etanercept+basiliximab- Using etanercept together with basiliximab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Etanercept+budesonide- Using etanercept together with budesonide may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Etanercept+cabazitaxel- Using etanercept together with cabazitaxel may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Etanercept+dacarbazine- Using etanercept together with dacarbazine may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mechanism of action

Etanercept controls your body's defensive response by blocking the action of a certain natural substance (TNF) that is used by the immune system. Treatment decreases redness, itching and scaly patches in psoriasis as well as the pain, swelling and stiffness of joints in arthritis. This medication can stop the progression of disease and joint damage, resulting in improved daily functioning and quality of life.

Pregnancy Category : B