Psoriasis is a condition that causes the immune system to attack and destroy the body's skin cells. This stimulates the skin to produce new cells rapidly, which then build up on the skin and lead to symptoms. Enbrel, the brand name for etanercept, is used to treat plaque psoriasis.
Approval
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, in April 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Enbrel for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. This medication is a biologic drug and must be purchased with a physician's prescription.
Plaque Psoriasis
There are different types of psoriasis, but Enbrel is used to treat only plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is characterized by plaque--thickness, redness and silvery scales on parts of the skin.
Function
Enbrel reduces the symptoms of plaque psoriasis by inhibiting the action of a protein called tumor necrosis factor. Excess amounts of this protein exist in psoriasis and stimulate overproduction of skin cells, which then causes plaque.
