Found this info while doing some research..Etanercept

[Dydee]

I came across this treatment for several auto-immune inflammatory issues and it says it may be helpful for other similar ailments. Has anyone had any experience with this or heard of anything pro or con?

Etanercept, sold under the brand name Enbrel among others, is a biopharmaceutical that treats autoimmune diseases by interfering with tumor necrosis factor (TNF, a soluble inflammatory cytokine) by acting as a TNF inhibitor.

It is a large molecule, with a molecular weight of 150 kDa, that binds to TNFα and decreases its role in disorders involving excess inflammation in humans and other animals, including autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis,[7] juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and, potentially, in a variety of other disorders mediated by excess TNFα. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8]

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is one of a group of biologics called anti-TNF agents which are specifically warned against for use in PMR.

rheumatology.org/Portals/0/...

Recommendation 8

Biologics are very specific in their action and only work when that particular mechanism is involved in the illness. PMR is mediated by a cytokine called IL-6. The biologic applicable there is tocilizumab - there are others but only small trials have been done with them - and trials have been carried out, approval gained and it is used in GCA. In the USA it is also being used for PMR but it is extremely expensive and unlikely to be made available in the UK on the NHS in the foreseeable future. It seems the rules for patients with inflammatory arthritides are rather different ...

[Dydee in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. I figured you would have the answer to this. When they say it also treats "other diseases" it leaves the door open to question.

[Brikel]

It is also called Benepali and quite a number of us use it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Brikel]

I think you need to add that you have RA - it is not used in PMR or GCA which is what is discussed on this forum.