This page contains a brief description that does not cover the medication. For more information read the review in Felleskatalogen.no for the respective drug.
Contents
Definition
Etanercept is the active ingredient in Enbrel and Benepali that is biological drugs which blocks TNF-alpha (TNF inhibitors). Benepali is bio- similar drug for Enbrel
Before start of treatment
- Infections should be excluded (Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis)
- Blood tests
- Urine
- X-ray or CT of lungs
- Tuberculosis screening: more here
- A treatment goal should be set
Vaccines
- Consider annual flu vaccine
- Assess pneumococcal vaccine before starting treatment (effect lasts for 5-XNUM years)
- Consider hepatitis B vaccine before initiating treatment (exposed persons)
- "Live vaccines" should not be used
- More about vaccines here
Dosage
Ordinary dosage for treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis) in adults:
- Injection 50 mg under the skin (subcutaneous, sc) every week or 25 mg twice a week
- Combination with Methotrexate is common
For children, dose is given by body weight. By Juvenile arthritis the dose is usually 0,8mg / kg body weight (maximum 50mg) once a week or 0,4mg / kg (maximum 25mg) twice a week
Prescription
- H-prescription which is covered by the patient's health trust
Storage
Enbrel is usually stored in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Can be stored at max. 25 ° C for a single period of up to 4 weeks, and then can not be cooled again.
Physician controls / follow-up
- Specialist / Specialist in Rheumatology and General Practitioner
Measurement of serum concentration
- Reference range for serum concentration measurements: (random measurement point): Please see anx.no (etanercept)
- Antibodies are rarely formed and is of uncertain clinical significance
- High antibody titer or high etanercept level in blood serum combined clinically unsatisfactory effect indicates need for drug change
Patient information
Medications, BINDEVEVSSYKDOMMER.no
