Enbrel is a type of medication that blocks the production of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that causes immune diseases. Enbrel is called a TNF blocker. Immune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis cause people to have too much TNF in their bodies. However, Enbrel can cause infections that lead to death.
However, Enbrel has been linked to serious infections, especially in people with diabetes. Some of these infections have been fatal. Also, Enbrel has caused rare cases of tuberculosis. If you have an infection, such as an open sore or the flu, you should not begin taking Enbrel. The FDA released a warning about the seriousness of the infections that Enbrel can cause, including sepsis.
Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system begins overworking itself. Blood clots form, which block blood flow to vital organs. Six patients died from sepsis caused by Enbrel. Patients with a history of recurring infections or with underlying conditions such as advanced diabetes should talk to their doctors and carefully consider whether to use Enbrel.
Enbrel helps reduce symptoms of many immune diseases, including:
- rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic condition that causes painful joint inflammation
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which affects children and teens
- psoriatic arthritis, which is a chronic condition that causes painful inflammation of skin and joints
- ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic condition that causes painful inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints
- psoriasis, which is a chronic skin disease
Although these conditions cannot be completely healed, Enbrel can reduce signs and symptoms and in most cases keep the condition from getting worse. Talk to your doctor about the risks of Enbrel, including death from serious infection. If you are injured because of Enbrel, contact a personal injury attorney.
Tags: Enbrel, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, TNF