Information about Etanercept

Generic Name : Etanercept
Pronunciation : ee-TAN-er-sept

Latest prescription information about Etanercept. Learn how to pronounce the drug's name, its indications, dosage, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its storage instructions . Also listed are the International and Indian trade name(s) of the drug and its price list.

Therapeutic Classification : Immunomodulators

Trade Names/Brand Names of Etanercept

India :

Enbrel | Enbrel (25mg/0.5mL) (25mg/0.5mL) | Enbrol | Enbrel (50mg/mL) (50mg/mL) | Enbrel (50mg/mL) (50mg/mL)

International :

Enbrel Prefilled Syringes

Why is Etanercept Prescribed? (Indications)

This medication is a tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) blocker, prescribed for ankylosing spondylitis (type of joint pain that affects your back), juvenile arthritis (arthritis-related condition that develops in children), psoriasis, and rheumatoid (inflammation of the joints) and psoriatic arthritis.

When should Etanercept not be taken? (Contraindications)

Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity or widespread infection.

What is the dosage of Etanercept?

Adult- SC- The recommended dose is 50 mg weekly; twice weekly in plaque psoriasis. 0.8 mg/kg/week in children.

How should Etanercept be taken?

It is administered as an injection just under the skin by a healthcare provider.

What are the warnings and precautions for Etanercept?

• Avoid using contaminated solution of this drug or if the appearance of the solution is changed.

• Do not have any vaccinations while taking this medication.

• It may increase the risk of cancer and serious infections including tuberculosis.

• Caution needed in patients with history of decreased bone marrow function, history of cancer (e.g., lymphoma), seizures, active or reoccurring infections, diabetes, certain brain/spinal cord disorders (demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis), blood disorders, heart disease (e.g., heart failure), allergies during pregnancy, in elderly, and children between 2 to 18 yrs.

• It should not be used in children less than 2 years.

• Do not share this medication with others.

What are the side effects of Etanercept?

•  Serious adverse effects: Increase in serious infections including fungal infections and tuberculosis and cancers like lymphomas.
•  Heart: Congestive Heart failure, heart attack.
•  Central Nervous System: Seizures, headache, dizziness, stroke, demyelinating diseases, inflammation of nerves, aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain in the absence of infection), hydrocephalus (abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within brain).
•  Skin: Rash, hair loss, worsening psoriasis, inflammation of blood vessels in skin, skin cancer, severe allergic reactions.
•  Eye and ENT: Inflammation of eyes, nose and throat.
•  Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dry mouth, inflammation of the digestive system, perforation of the intestine.
•  Genitourinary: Kidney stone, kidney damage, urinary tract infection.
•  Blood: Decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells and /or platelets, lymph node swelling.
•  Liver: Liver inflammation.
•  Local: Injection-site reactions (erythema and/or itching, pain, or swelling).
•  Metabolic: Increase in blood sugar, weight gain.
•  Musculoskeletal: Inflammation of bursa, muscles, joint pain, lupus-like syndrome.
•  Respiratory: Upper respiratory tract infections, cough, difficulty in breathing, lung disease.
♦ •  Miscellaneous: Autoimmune reaction, inflammation of veins, flu like syndrome, Sarcoidosis.

What are the other precautions for Etanercept?

If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What are the storage conditions for Etanercept?

Store at 25Â°C. Store it in airtight container and keep away from children.

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Comments

jayanthif, India

want to know the price

anshu85, India

can this drug be used perispinally to treat above indications of spine?if yes then plz tell me how much dose is suufficient and time of effectiveness.whether it can b added with lidocaine or not?

HelenLedingham, United Kingdom

I have AS and have been taking this drug since the end of September 2011 - it is my third type of TNF therapy the previous two, after approx 18 months contributed to regular infections etc. Apart from increased skin problems, I believe that since using the Etanercept I have become sun sensitive. My first bout of sun last March (1 hours sitting in it) caused a flare up on my face, then gardening I had a huge itchy rash on my lower back (bending over!!!) and then in April I spent a couple of days in the sun and in October I visited the Middle East. On all occasions, despite using sun block my skin reacted significantly and I was having to soak in cold baths to stop the persistent itching. At the moment I am under a Dermatologist and have had a skin biopsy. However, I would be very interested to know if you have had any other people react to the sun with this drug.