This biologic therapy is currently approved in Canada and the U.S. for the treatment of adolescents with rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been approved for children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and has been studied in children with psonasis. It is approved in Europe for children aged 8 and up with psoriasis.
Etanercept targets and blocks the inflammatory messenger TNF-alpha, which is made by cells in the immune system and sends faulty signals to the skin and joints. Patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis produce too much TNF-alpha, which results in inflammation, causing red, scaly skin lesions and swollen, tender joints. Etanercept reduces inflammation by blocking TNF-alpha's inflammatory message and works like a sponge to reduce the amount of TNF-alpha in the skin and joints.
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Etanercept works faster than some other drugs, and many patients will notice an improvement within the first month of treatment. In others, it can take up to three months and for a few it might take up to six months before improvement is seen.
How Is Etanercept Given?
Etanercept is given by an injection just under the surface of the skin. Etanercept is not currently approved for psoriasis in Canada, but is approved for psoriatic arthritis. It is self-administered by patients with psoriatic arthritis in one of two ways:
1. Once weekly - two injections of 25 milligrams each on the same day.
2. Twice weekly - one injection of 25 milligrams, given three to four days apart. In clinical studies with psoriasis, etanercept has also been given in this way and been found to work very well. Even better results were obtained when etanercept was given in higher doses (50 milligrams - given as two 25 milligram injections - twice weekly. Another formulation involves one syringe with a single 50 milligram injection).
Before you start etanercept, your doctor will review with you the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Your doctor might give you an informed consent form outlining these risks and benefits. You are entitled to review this document on your own, and with your doctor or nurse, and sign it. The intention is to give you additional opportunity to review the risks, benefits, and alternatives to etanercept before starting the treatment. Also, you will need some blood work done and a tuberculosis skin test prior to starting the medication.
Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed instructions for preparing and giving an injection. There is also an information package provided with your etanercept that will have step-by-step instructions. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or nurse. There is also a toll-free number for assistance and answering questions in the United States and Canada.
What Results Can You Expect from Etanercept?
Clinical studies have been performed using etanercept in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These studies established that etanercept showed excellent improvement in both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Etanercept was proven to be highly effective in studies to date, with approximately 34 percent of patients on 25 milligrams twice weekly and 49 percent receiving 50 milligrams twice weekly having an excellent response. A good response was experienced by 64 percent of those receiving 25 milligrams twice weekly and 77 percent of those receiving 50 milligrams twice weekly.
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As seen with the other biologic agents, continuing to give additional therapy over time can provide an additional improvement. Etanercept has been used in combination with other types of treatment such as methotrexate, NSAIDs, or SAARDs in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. To find out more, you can check out Latest Treatment For Psoriasis.