ETANERCEPT

Etanercept is disease modifying ant rheumatic drug. It is a dimeric fusion protein consisting of the extracellular ligand-binding portion of the human 75 kilodalton (p75) tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) linked to the Fc portion of human IgG1.

Indications

ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Plaque Psoriasis

Dosage

Adult: SC Ankylosing spondylitis; Rheumatoid arthritis 25 mg twice wkly at intervals of 3-4 days. Chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis ?18 yr: 50 mg twice wkly at intervals of 3-4 days for 12 wk.

Contra-Indications

active severe chronic or localised infection and sepsis

Special Precautions

History of recurrent infections or risk of infection. Patients with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infections. May reactivate hepatitis B virus when used in HBV carriers. May develop autoantibodies and SLE-like symptoms. Blood dyscrasias, lymphoma, CNS demyelinating disorders, cardiac disorders, elderly, children

Side Effects

Mild to moderate Inj site reactions, upper resp infections and sinusitis, discoid lupus and necrotising vasculitis, urticaria, rash, malignancy, GI upset, autoantibody formation. Rarely, blood dyscrasias, CNS demyelinating disorders, SLE and lupus-like syndrome.

Drug Interactions

interleukin-1 antagonist, live vaccines, cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine or anakinra.