About etanercept
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker
Used for
- Rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Plaque psoriasis
Usual adult dose
Usually 50 mg injected under the skin once weekly; some conditions use 25 mg twice weekly.
Usual dose in children
For juvenile arthritis, usually 0.8 mg/kg injected weekly, up to 50 mg.
Common side effects
- Injection-site reactions
- Infections, including upper respiratory infections
- Headache
- Rash
Important warnings
- Can cause serious infections, including tuberculosis; screening is needed before treatment.
- Avoid live vaccines during treatment.
- May worsen heart failure or cause rare nervous-system disorders.
- Rarely associated with blood disorders or certain cancers.
Pregnancy
May be used when clinically needed; discuss risks and timing with a healthcare professional.
Breastfeeding
Low transfer into breast milk is expected; available evidence suggests use may be compatible.
Interactions
- Other biologic immune-suppressing medicines can increase serious infection risk.
- Anakinra or abatacept increases infection risk when combined.
- Live vaccines may cause infection and should be avoided.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.