What is Enbrel?
Enbrel (etanercept) is a medication used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. It works by blocking the effects of a specific protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that is responsible for inflammation in the body. Enbrel was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and is available in both injectable and kit form for subcutaneous use.
The medication is usually injected once a week, and it may take several weeks to months to see significant improvement. Enbrel is generally well-tolerated, but like any medication, it can cause side effects such as injection site reactions, infections, and allergic reactions. Patients are advised to discuss any potential risks with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Enbrel is one of several medications available to treat autoimmune diseases, and its effectiveness may vary depending on the individual and the specific condition being treated. For some patients, Enbrel may be a highly effective treatment option, while for others, alternative medications or treatment strategies may be necessary.
Some biosimilar versions of Enbrel, such as Erelzi, have been approved by the FDA and are expected to be equally effective and safe as the original medication. Patients are advised to speak with their healthcare provider to determine which treatment option is best for them.
Frequently Asked Questions about enbrel
ENBREL is a type of medicine known as a biologic. That means it's made from living things, like cells. ENBREL attaches itself to the TNF proteins to help block their activity. And by lessening the number of active TNF proteins, ENBREL helps reduce symptoms such as swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.
Etanercept is a drug that reduces the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as joint swelling, pain, fatigue, and length of morning stiffness. It is also prescribed for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Etanercept is produced by recombinant DNA technology in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) mammalian cell expression system.
The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for Enbrel on 3 February 2000.
Using Enbrel long term can cause you to have side effects. However, the long-term side effects of using the medication are very similar to the short-term side effects. Some side effects include: respiratory infections.
Following eight years of ENBREL therapy: 75 percent of ERA patients and 76 percent of LRA patients achieved ACR 20; 60 percent of ERA patients and 52 percent of LRA patients achieved ACR 50; 35 percent of ERA patients and 26 percent of LRA patients achieved ACR 70.
Pfizer owns rights to Enbrel in most other major markets, where sales have diminished elsewhere in the world because of biosimilar competition.
People being treated with Enbrel have a higher risk of developing serious infections including fungal, bacterial, viral, and tuberculosis infections. In some cases, these infections can lead to hospitalization or even death.
The Fc component contains the hinge, CH2 and CH3 regions, but not the CH1 region of IgG1. Etanercept (TNFR:Fc) is synthesized by Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells as a dimeric, secreted, soluble protein.
Although rare, Enbrel may increase your risk of certain cancers, heart failure, and serious infections. If you start to experience a fever, difficulty breathing, or signs of bleeding, be sure to seek medical care right away.
Renal. Renal side effects including pyelonephritis have been reported. At least one case of necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis has been reported, in addition to a case of proliferative lupus nephritis.
Bruce A. Beutler
History. The first etanercept-related patent was filed by Immunex on September 5, 1989. The fusion protein was developed by Bruce A. Beutler, an academic researcher then at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and colleagues, who patented it and licensed the rights in 1995 to Immunex.
West Greenwich, Rhode Island, US, is the site of a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility dedicated to the production of Immunex's rheumatoid arthritis drug, Enbrel.
Etanercept (TNFR:Fc) is synthesized by Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells as a dimeric, secreted, soluble protein. Dimerisation of the Fc region via two disulphide bonds occurs post-translation. Etanercept contains 934 amino acids and has an apparent molecular weight of 150 kDa.
Most of the commercial manufacturing for Enbrel is done at its facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico, which also does the entire formulation and fill and finish for other biologics in Amgen's portfolio, including Prolia, Epogen (epoetin alfa) and Neulasta (pegfilgrastim).
Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with Enbrel (etanercept vials). Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
