Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor used in the treatments of RA, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy, plaque psoriasis.

In my opinion it is not a useful drug and if I was a patient I would not chose this medication.

SE:

• Neuropathy similar to CIDP.
• Can cause sarcoidosis and can be also of benefit in sarcoidosis (paradoxical confusing effect) - Don't use it in sarcoidosis, they are better drugs.
• Should be cautiously in MG, CIDP, and sarcoid neuropathy

AE:

• Anaphylaxis, sarciodosis, CNS and PNS demyelinating diseases (MS, transverse myelitis, GBS, CIDP), miscarriage, +ve ANA with lupus like syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis, seizures, or seizure exacerbations, CHF, decreased LVEF, pancytopenia, and aplastic anemia.
• Reactivation of hepatitis-B, fungus, and TB
• Risk of opportunistic infection is increased with use of CS
• Lympohma is reported in children and adolescents.
• Skin cancer, melanoma, non-melanoma, Merkel cell cancer in adults.

Treatment regimens:

• 25-50 mg sc once or twice weekly. Therapeutic latency in psoriasis is 6.5 to 9.5 week for high and low dose respectively.