Enbrel, the brand name of the medication etanercept, treats the symptoms of many conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthitris. People interested in using Enbrel for these purposes should consult their doctor.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Enbrel may include headaches, upper respiratory infections and injection site reactions, according to the official website of Enbrel. Injection site reactions may include redness, rash, itching, swelling or pain. These reactions generally go away within three to five days, so those experiencing the reaction for longer should call a doctor. In addition, serious side effects can also occur while taking Enbrel, although these effects are less common. Serious side effects of Enbrel includes an increased risk of cancer and infection, nervous system problems, blood problems, heart failure, allergic reactions, autoimmune reactions and a worsening of psoriasis.
Dosage
Individuals should always follow the dosage information provided to them by their doctor, and never change or modify the dosage without getting their doctor's approval. Adults suffering from plaque psoriasis typically start taking a 50 mg dose of Enbrel twice a week for three months, then reduce their dosage to a 50 mg dose once a week. Adults with ankylosing spondylitits, psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis usually take a 50 mg dose once a week. Children between the ages of 2 to 17 years old with juvenile idiopathic arthritis generally take 0.8 mg to 50 mg per week, according to information published on the "Physicians' Desktop Reference" website.
Use
Patients or caregivers typically administer Enbrel using a single-use prefilled autoinjector syringe, according to the Enbrel patient instructions. Only those who have received special training from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist should inject the medication. The preferred injection site is the front of the thigh, but other areas may be used if the area is firm and the skin is taut enough to provide enough resistance to retract the safety guard of the autoinjector. Patients or caregivers should pull off the white needle cap, press the autoinjector onto the skin at a 90 degree angle and then briefly press and release the purple button. They should then slowly count to 15 as the autoinjector releases Enbrel below the skin. After the injection, the window of the autoinjector should turn purple to indicate a full dose was delivered. Individuals who have questions about using the Enbrel autoinjection should call their health-care provider or Enbrel support staff at 1-888-436-2735 for assistance.
Considerations
Although all individuals should discuss their medical history with a doctor before taking Enbrel, it is particularly important for those with specific medical conditions to do so. These include people with a history of nervous system problems, seizures, infections, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure, rectal bleeding, any lupus-like disease, blood disease, lymphoma or cancer, tuberculosis, Wegener granulomatosis and those with inflammation of the eye nerves, according to the Physicians' Desktop Reference website. These individuals may require careful monitoring or a dosage adjustment to take Enbrel safely, or may require another treatment option. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also discuss their condition with a doctor before taking this medication.
Drug Interactions
Some medications can interact negatively with Enbrel, including anakinra, cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine and other medications that weaken the immune system, according to Drugs.com. Individuals should always report all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, minerals, vitamins and herbal products they are taking to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Enbrel.
