Etanercept is approved for reducing the signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of the structural damage, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The etanercept injection can be initiated together with methotrexate (MTX) or used alone.
Etanercept is used in order to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in patients aged 2 years and older.
Etanercept is used in order to reduce the signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of the structural damage of active arthritis, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Etanercept may be used together with methotrexate in patients who do not respond adequately to methotrexate alone.
Etanercept is used in order to reduce the signs and symptoms in patients with the active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Etanercept is used for the treatment of adult patients aged 18 years or older with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) who are recipients for the systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Approval: In the month of September, 1989, the first etanercept-related patent was filed by Immunex.
In the month of November 1998, Etanercept was approved for use in the United States. And in the month of February, 2000, Etanercept was approved for use in the European Union.
Dosage Form: Etanercept comes in the form of injection generically and under the brand name Enbrel. Etanercept is administered by subcutaneous injection. The recommended dose of etanercept for adult patients with RA and PsA is 50mg once weekly either with or without methotrexate (MTX).
The recommended dose of etanercept for ankylosing spondylitis is 50mg once weekly.
The recommended dose of etanercept for adult patients with plaque psoriasis is 50mg twice weekly for 3 months, followed by 50 mg once weekly.
The recommended dose of etanercept for pediatric PsO or JIA is 0.8 mg/kg weekly, with a maximum of 50mg per week.
Side Effects: Side effects of etanercept are usually mild and not life threatening. The commonly reported side effects may include infections and injection site reactions.
Cost: The etanercept price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler/pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. The cost of etanercept ranges from around 5,714 INR to 28,740 INR for a supply of vial of 1 injection.
