Etanercept: Uses, indications and cautions when using

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Etanercept drug works to treat some types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ... or skin conditions caused by psoriasis. Etanercept works by controlling the body's immune response by blocking the action of certain natural substances.

1. Uses of the drug Etanercept

Etanercept is a drug that works in the treatment of certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ... or treating a skin condition caused by psoriasis. These conditions are caused by an overactive immune system, also known as autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells, causing inflammation of the joints and skin. Etanercept can be used alone or in combination with certain immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate.
Etanercept works by controlling the body's immune response by blocking the action of a natural substance TNF used by the immune system. Treatment relieves redness, itching, and scaly patches in psoriasis as well as pain, swelling, and stiffness in arthritis. In addition, Etanercept can stop the progression of disease and joint damage, helping to improve daily functioning and quality of life. Etanercept does not cure autoimmune diseases, symptoms usually return within 1 month of stopping the drug.

2. How to use Etanercept

Etanercept is given as an injection under the skin of the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Before injecting each dose, it is necessary to disinfect the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to reduce subcutaneous damage. Do not inject into areas of skin that are sore or bruised, red, and hard.
Dosage is based on the patient's medical condition and response to treatment. For children dosage is based on weight and age. Accordingly, patients need to use the drug regularly to get the most benefit from it. If you are using Etanercept at home, learn all preparation and use instructions from your doctor, pharmacist and healthcare professional. You may notice an improvement in your health after 1-2 weeks, but it may take several months to get the full benefit from the medication. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse.

3. Undesirable effects of the drug Etanercept

Some unwanted effects that may occur when using Etanercept include:
At the injection site: redness, itching, pain or swelling. This usually begins 1-2 days after the injection and can go away in 3-5 days. Reactions at the injection site usually subside after the first month. Headache Nausea, vomiting Infection: fever, chills, persistent sore throat, cough, night sweats, difficulty breathing, pain when urinating, abnormal vaginal discharge, white patches in mouth (oral thrush ) Serious side effects such as: rash on the nose and cheeks (butterfly rash), dizziness, fatigue, pale skin and mucous membranes, hair loss, swelling of hands and feet, bruising, unusual bleeding, headache severe, mood swings, seizures, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, persistent abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice, yellowing of the eyes,... Allergic reactions: rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, etc. Before prescribing, doctors always weigh the benefits that outweigh the risks of side effects. However, some cases may still experience unwanted effects. Therefore, when you see abnormal signs, immediately notify the medical staff for timely treatment, to avoid the case becoming more serious.

4. Some notes when using Etanercept

Some notes when using Etanercept include:
If refrigerated, let the medicine stay at room temperature for at least 15-30 minutes before injecting. Do not heat the medicine in any other way. For example, do not heat in the microwave or place in hot water. Before use, inspect the product visually for particles, cloudiness or discoloration. Prefilled syringes, cartridges, or injection pens may have small white particles in the liquid. Do not use the medicine if you see other particles, cloudy or discolored. Inform your doctor about any allergies you have, especially latex, dry natural rubber, etc. , tuberculosis), blood disorders (leukemia, anemia), weakened bone marrow, history of cancer (eg, lymphoma), diabetes, heart failure, seizures, nerve problems such as multiple sclerosis , some liver problems such as alcoholism leading to hepatitis, blood vessel disorders (inflammation of the lymph nodes),... Do not vaccinate without your doctor's consent, and avoid contact with people who have just received the oral polio vaccine, or who have had chickenpox and other infections. Before any surgery, tell your doctor about any medications you are taking including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products. Elderly people need to be careful when using it because they are more susceptible to infections. For children, all childhood immunizations should be updated before starting etanercept. For pregnant and lactating women, Etanercept should only be used when absolutely necessary. Tests such as blood counts, liver function tests, tuberculosis tests, etc. should be performed periodically to monitor the progression of the disease. Patients should use the drug at the right dose and time to achieve high results. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor right away for a new dosing schedule. Never double your dose to catch up.

5. Etanercept drug interactions

Drug interactions can reduce the effectiveness of the drug in treatment and increase the risk of unwanted effects. So tell your doctor what medications you are taking. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication before consulting your doctor. Some products that interact with Etanercept include:
Abatacept Interleukin-1 blockers such as anakinra, canakinumab, rilonacept,... Live vaccines such as measles, mumps, polio, rubella, typhoid, varicella, fever jaundice,... Medicines for autoimmune diseases: azathioprine, cyclophosphamide. Etanercept can cause reactions and falsify the results of some types of tests. So make sure that the technician is in the room. The experimenters and doctors knew that the patient was using the drug Etanercept.

6. How to store Etanercept

Store unopened Etanercept in the refrigerator, away from light, do not put the medicine in the freezer. Some dosage forms can also be stored at room temperature for a certain period of time, up to 14 days. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for proper storage. If the medicine is stored at room temperature, do not put it back in the refrigerator. Keep Etanercept out of reach of children and pets.
Please dispose of medicine properly when it is out of date or unusable. Do not dispose of Etanercept from a plumbing or toilet unless directed to do so. Consult your local waste disposal company or pharmacist for safe disposal of medications.
In summary, the drug Etanercept works to treat some types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ... or skin conditions caused by psoriasis. Etanercept works by controlling the body's immune response by blocking the action of certain natural substances. However, the drug can cause some unwanted effects, so consult your doctor before use and take the drug according to the treatment regimen for maximum effectiveness.

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Reference source: webmd.com