Enbrel

Enbrel is the brand name for etanercept, a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) used to treat several autoimmune diseases. It is a fusion protein composed of two soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors fused to the IgG1 Fc fragment. Etanercept binds tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and, to a lesser extent, lymphotoxin-α (TNF-β), neutralizing these cytokines and reducing inflammatory signaling.

Indications for Enbrel include moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It may be prescribed alone or with methotrexate depending on the condition and patient factors.

Administration is by subcutaneous injection. Dosing regimens vary by indication and patient weight, and in adults common schedules include 25 mg twice weekly or 50 mg once weekly; pediatric dosing differs by age and weight. Treatment decisions and dose adjustments are guided by clinical response and tolerance.

Safety and monitoring: before starting Enbrel, patients are typically screened for latent tuberculosis and hepatitis B. Infections are a major risk due to immune suppression; patients should be monitored for signs of infection. Serious adverse effects can include reactivation of infections, congestive heart failure, demyelinating disorders, hepatic injury, and severe allergic reactions. Common side effects include injection-site reactions, infections, headache, and nausea. Immunogenicity can occur but is generally less of a concern with etanercept than with some other biologics. Cautions include avoiding use in active infection and careful consideration in patients with a history of demyelinating disease or significant heart failure. For pregnancy, the potential benefits and risks should be discussed with a healthcare provider.