A 36-year-old member asked:
Anyone tried enbrel (etanercept) for treating rheumatoid arthritis?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Pierre Moeseranswered
Specializes in Rheumatology
Many patients: Rheumatoid arthritis can often be controlled with some of the newer medications including enbrel (etanercept). Many patients are saved from irreversible crippling of the joints. The key is to get early diagnosis and effective treatment to prevent worsening. Enbrel (etanercept) is a biologic response modifier meaning that the drug is made by a biological system. The drug can be very effective. Untreated RA has huge risks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Loweanswered
Pediatric Rheumatology 18 years experience
Absolutely: Enbrel is an excellent medication for rheumatd arthritis (ra). This is the standard of care along with low dose weekly methotrexate.Other tnf-inhibitors such as Remicade (infliximab) and Humira often work equally well. See your rheumatologist to get treated properly. Some people respond better to Enbrel than the other tnf-inhibitors--but as a class, they are great drugs.Highly effective, often no side effects.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Arthur Mandelinanswered
Rheumatology 21 years experience
See a rheumatologist: Enbrel (etanercept) and drugs like it work very well but are not commonly the first thing tried. Your treatment should always be customized to you and your issues. A rheumatologist can help.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
How is enbrel (etanercept) used for treating rheumatoid arthritis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Nameyanswered
Rheumatology 49 years experience
Second line.: While Enbrel (etanercept) can be used alone, it works better in tandem with methotrexate. It is given by subcutaneous injection once per week, the dose being dependent on body size. It is also indicated for psoriatic arthritis and spondylitis. Most insurers want the patient to have been on lesser drugs. These would include incomplete response to mtx, sfz, and ho-q. It binds to tnf-alpha, which caues inflamm.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Wenjay Sung commented
Podiatry 15 years experience
Agree with you. But I was just answering the question as it was written. I have no financial incentives or relationship with this drug or manufacturer.
Jun 12, 2013
Dr. Thomas Namey commented
Rheumatology 49 years experience
Provided original answer
The question was not how it works! Be a team player, answer questions, don't replicate an answer, & don't give unneeded info. I will censure
Jun 12, 2013
Dr. Wenjay Sung commented
Podiatry 15 years experience
Maybe I read the question wrong. My apologies, thought it was a mechanism of action question.
Jun 13, 2013
A 32-year-old member asked:
How good is enbrel (etanercept) for treating rheumatoid arthritis?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Nameyanswered
Rheumatology 49 years experience
Very effective.: But frequently unecessary in most of my RA patients. Combinations inclduing mtx with sulfasalazine, hydroxychlorquine, perhaps doxycycline, or Leflunomide should be tried before starting enbrel, (etanercept) unless you have overwhelming inflammatory disease. Noenthless, Enbrel (etanercept) with mtx is better than either alone!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 13, 2018
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