Introduction
Enbrel is an FDA-approved prescription medication used to treat a variety of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Depending on the case, Enbrel can be used in individuals ranging from children to adults, and it an be administered by both single-use prefilled syringes and SureClick autoinjectors.
TNF
Enbrel works by focusing on a specific substance produced in the body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is made naturally by the immune system, but levels can rise too high with immune-related conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. TNF normally acts as a factor in the body's inflammation process. Unfortunately, too much TNF can cause the immune system to mistake its own tissues as foreign, causing severe inflammation and destroying some of the tissue in the process.
TNF Blocker
Enbrel works as a tumor necrosis factor blocker. What this means is that Enbrel is able to bind with active TNF in your body. By doing this, it can pull TNF wherever it goes. This allows Enbrel to move TNF from the joints and bloodstream and forces it to be metabolized out of the body with Enbrel. Without the additional TNF in the bloodstream, inflammation is reduced, as well as the pain and sensitivity associated with the condition.
Risks
Because TNF is also an important part of your immune system, taking Enbrel may weaken your body's overall ability to fight off infection by reducing the level of TNF in the bloodstream. Two of the most common infections that patients taking Enbrel are put at a higher risk for are bacterial sepsis and tuberculosis. To prevent this, patients are often tested for latent tuberculosis before being put on the medication. According to the official Enbrel website, some patients have died due to these infections, so it is important to be educated on the signs and symptoms of infection while taking the medication.
