WHAT IS ETACEPT 25MG?

ETACEPT 25MG contains Etanercept which is a prescription medicine called a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker

WHAT ETACEPT 25MG IS USED FOR?

In adults (aged 18 and over):

It is used for moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, severe axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate or severe psoriasis

For rheumatoid arthritis, ETACEPT 25MG is usually used in combination with methotrexate

Children and Adolescents:

It is used for Polyarthritis (rheumatoid factor positive or negative) and extended oligoarthritis in patients from the age of 2 years

It is used for enthesitis-related arthritis in patients from the age of 12 years
It is used for severe psoriasis in patients from the age of 6 years

WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS:

TALK TO DOCTOR

Talk to your Doctor, if you:

Are allergic to etanercept or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
Or the child have or are at risk of developing a serious blood infection called sepsis
Have any major surgery

Or the child have a history of recurrent infections or suffer from diabetes

Have tuberculosis
Have blood disorders

Have multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis (inflammation of the nerves of the eyes) or transverse myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord)

Have a history of congestive heart failure
Have or have ever had lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) or any other cancer
Or the child are exposed to chickenpox

Have a history of alcohol abuse

Have wegener?s granulomatosis

BENEFITS OF INJECTION

SIDE EFFECTS :

SERIOUS

• Allergic reactions such as trouble swallowing or breathing, swelling of the face, throat, hands or feet, feeling nervous or anxious, throbbing sensations, sudden reddening of the skin and/or a warm feeling, severe rash, itching, or hives (elevated patches of red or pale skin that often itch)
• Blood disorders: bleeding, bruising or paleness
• Nerve disorders: numbness or tingling, changes in vision, eye pain or onset of weakness in an arm or leg
• Autoimmune reactions (where antibodies are made that may harm normal tissues in the body) such as pain, itching, weakness, and abnormal breathing, thinking, sensation, or vision
• Lupus or lupus-like syndrome: weight changes, persistent rash, fever, joint or muscle pain, or fatigue
• Inflammation of the blood vessels: pain, fever, redness or warmth of the skin, or itching

COMMON

• Infections: colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, urinary tract infections and skin infections
• Injection site reactions: bleeding, bruising, redness, itching, pain and swelling

UNCOMMON

• Serious infections: pneumonia, deep skin infections, joint infections, blood infection, worsening of congestive heart failure, low red blood cell count, low white blood cell count, low neutrophil, low blood platelet count, skin cancer (excluding melanoma), swelling of the skin, hives, eye inflammation, psoriasis, inflammation of the blood vessels affecting multiple organs

RARE

• Failure of the bone marrow to produce crucial blood cells

STORAGE:

Keep this medicine out of reach of children
Store in a refrigerator at 28°C

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

SAFE

Consuming alcohol with Injection does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Etacept 25mg Injection is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

Breast feeding

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Etacept 25mg Injection is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Driving

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether Injection alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.

Kidney

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Etacept 25mg Injection is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Injection may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Etacept 25mg Injection is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Injection may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Quick tips

Etacept 25mg Injection is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). You, a friend, or a family member can be taught how to give the injections.
Some people feel better quite quickly after receiving the injection while others may take longer. Keep taking your medication.
Etacept 25mg Injection could make it harder for you to fight infections. It is best to stop taking Injection if you have a fever or think you have an infection, or you have been given antibiotics to treat an infection.
Have a tuberculosis skin test & chest x-ray done before starting Injection.
Get blood tests done regularly to keep a track of your arthritis and make sure that Injection is not affecting your blood counts.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition

General warnings

Other medicines

Etacept Injection may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.

Serious infection

Use of this medicine may affect the immune system making you susceptible to opportunistic infections from a wide variety of pathogens. It is advised to not use this medicine during an active infection. Use of this medicine should be discontinued after consulting the doctor if a serious infection develops.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation

Use of this medicine may increase the risk of reactivation of hepatitis b virus in patients who are chronic carriers. Close clinical monitoring is advised if the patient is identified as a carrier of the virus for several months after the use of this medicine.

Neurological reactions

Use of this medicine may cause neurological problems and exacerbate the symptoms of nervous system disorders. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a preexisting nervous system disorder like multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome etc.

Serious allergic reactions

Use of this medicine may cause serious and life-threatening allergic reactions in some people. Discontinue the use of this medicine immediately if any allergic reactions occur.

Malignancies

Use of this medicine may cause malignancy or reactivation of a previously treated malignancy. Hence it should be used with caution and frequent clinical monitoring should be performed especially for children, adolescents, and young adults.

Autoimmunity

Use of this medicine may result in the formation of autoantibodies and may cause a lupus-like syndrome. Treatment with this medicine should be discontinued immediately in such cases.

Immunization

Use of live vaccines should be avoided while a patient is being treated with this medicine. Special precaution is advised for pediatric patients.

Hematological reactions

Use of this medicine may cause blood cell component disorders. Use of this medicine should be stopped if any serious blood cell component abnormality is identified.

Heart failure

Use of this medicine has been associated with worsening of congestive heart failure and new onset in some rare cases. This medicine should be used with caution and frequent clinical monitoring for patients who have heart failure.

Use in Children

This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 2 years of age for Juvenie idiopathic arthritis and 4 years for plaque psoriasis since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.

FAQs

Q. Is Etacept 25mg Injection a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug?

Yes, Etacept Injection is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug

Q. Is Etacept 25mg Injection a steroid or monoclonal antibody?

Etacept Injection is not a steroid or monoclonal antibody. It is a recombinant human protein and TNF inhibitor

Q. Is Etacept 25mg Injection safe?

Etacept 25mg Injection is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor

Q. Does Etacept 25mg Injection cause weight gain or hair loss?

Etacept 25mg Injection can cause weight gain and hair loss

Q. How long does Etacept 25mg Injection take to work?

Etacept 25mg Injection can start action in few days but usually it takes around 2-12 weeks to work for complete action.