Enbrel (etanercept) helps to control the effects of Psoriasis by inhibiting the body’s immune system.  Specifically, Enbrel is a TNF-alpha inhibitor. TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha), is a key player in making white blood cells rush to infected/injured areas of the body, thus creating inflammation. Thus, Enbrel helps to suppress much of the bothersome inflammation, which is a symptom of psoriasis.

Enbrel is a biologically engineered drug, or “biologic.” It is also an immunosuppressant.

Enbrel must be injected once or twice weekly, depending on the dosage.  Taking the drug orally is not an option because the digestion system would destroy it.  It usually comes in pre-prepared syringes.

People with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis report different degrees of improve as a result of taking Enbrel.  According to different online forums, for example, people with plaque psoriasis claim that their skin cleared up dramatically.  People with psoriatic arthritis claim to have gone from totally debilitated by pain to being able to move around, go outside, etc. Other people (the minority, it would seem) claim that their symptoms actually worsened and they’re overall quality of life become so much worse that they had to stop taking it.

Because Enbrel is a TNF-blocker it can open the body up to catching tuberculosis or it can awaken latent tuberculosis.  Side effects also include sepsis (which is actually a side effect of other infections) and a variety of other infections. Since the side effect of using immunosuppressants can vary so widely, it is important to keep in close contact with your dermatologist and immediately let them know about any negative developments.

As you might have guessed, Enbrel is available by prescription only.

Other TNF inhibitors that were released soon after Enbrel (after 1998) include Remicade (infliximab) and Humira (adalimumab), none of which have been as widely used as Enbrel.