Definition
Enbrel® contains the active ingredient Etanercept and is a prescription-only drug. It is available as injection vials containing the substance in the form of dry powder, which is used to prepare a solution, or as an injection solution in pre-filled syringes and pens.
Mode of action
Etanercept is a fusion protein produced by genetic engineering (it consists of two proteins), which binds and thus inactivates another human protein, the so-called tumour necrosis factor alphaTumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-a). This factor is an important initiator and mediator of inflammatory reactions in the body and is elevated in corresponding diseases. It is therefore an anti-inflammatory drug.
Fields of application
Due to its mode of action, it is used in diseases in which there is an excessive inflammatory reaction. It is used in: moderately severe to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults (18 years and older). This is where the pathological inflammation of the joints occurs.
It is used together with methotrexate (MXT), a standard medication for rheumatoid inflammatory diseases, when the sole administration of MXT has not produced the desired treatment success. It may also be prescribed alone if hypersensitivity to MXT exists. Psoriatic arthritis, where other treatments have not worked.
Severe ankylosing spondyloarthritis, also known as ankylosing spondylitis, when other treatments have not worked. This is a disease in which an inflammatory stiffening of the spine occurs. certain forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (in children and adolescents), in which the cause of the joint inflammation is unclear.
For example, in enthesitis-associated arthritis (joints and visual attachments are both affected at the same time), when other treatment approaches do not produce the desired treatment success or other treatment options are not suitable.
- Moderately severe to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults (18 years of age and older). This is where pathological inflammation of the joints occurs.
It is used together with methotrexate (MXT), a standard medication for rheumatoid inflammatory diseases, when the sole administration of MXT has not produced the desired treatment success. It may also be prescribed alone if hypersensitivity to MXT exists.
- Psoriatic arthritis where other treatments have not worked.
- Severe ankylosing spondyloarthritis, also known as ankylosing spondylitis, when other therapies have not worked. This is a disease in which an inflammatory stiffening of the spine occurs.
- Certain forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (in children and adolescents) where the cause of the joint inflammation is unclear.
For example, in enthesitis-associated arthritis (joints and visual attachments are both affected at the same time), when other treatment approaches do not produce the desired results or other treatment options are not suitable.
Enbrel® can be used to treat moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. However, treatment with the drug is usually only considered if other common treatment attempts have not achieved sufficient success. However, it has been shown that Enbrel® with its active ingredient Etanercept has a relatively poor effect on the skin symptoms of psoriasis. Under certain circumstances, however, the use of Enbrel® can still be recommended for psoriasis: Enbrel® has been shown to be effective in the inflammatory joint disease psoriasis-arthritis.
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