Enbrel

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – Enbrel may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate to relieve moderate to severe symptoms associated with RA’s attack on the body’s joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function. Enbrel is effective in approximately two out of three adults treated, with most patients noticing its effect in about two weeks.

• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) – Patients between the ages of 2 and 16 may be prescribed Enbrel to treat symptoms associated with the swelling of joint lining in children with JIA. Enbrel is effective in three out of four children treated, with most patients noticing an effect within two to four weeks.

• Psoriatic Arthritis – Enbrel may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate as a treatment option to reduce moderate to severe joint pain, swelling, and scales on the skin caused by psoriatic arthritis. About half of the patients using Enbrel received its effects, with most of those patients maintaining their treatment through six months of therapy.

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) – Enbrel may be prescribed to treat moderate to severe symptoms of pain caused by the body’s attack on joints of the spine, a result of AS. Roughly three out of five AS patients treated with Enbrel saw results after four to eight weeks.

• Plaque Psoriasis – Enbrel may be prescribed to treat chronic, moderate to severe symptoms of red, scaly patches on the body from the skin disease, plaque psoriasis. Patients prescribed Enbrel for this treatment must be 18 years or older and candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Out of patients treated for a 12 month period, about half received its effectiveness, with most noticing a change in symptoms within three months of use.

In all of the above conditions, Enbrel blocks the activity of TNF in the body. Overproduction of TNF causes these autoimmune disorders and the resulting inflammation associated with these conditions.