Enbrel - Etanercept

Enbrel, also known as etanercept, is an antirheumatic manufactured by Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of American Home Products Corporation. The drug is used to relieve joint swelling, pain, tiredness and other symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The FDA approved Enbrel in November 1999. According to its manufacturer, at least 70,000 people have taken Enbrel since its approval. In July 2003, the FDA approved Enbrel for the treatment of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease affecting primarily the lower back and joints.

Recently, the FDA announced that at least six people taking Enbrel had died and some twenty-four others had been hospitalized. Some of those affected suffered from sepsis. Accordingly, the FDA required Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals to supplement Enbrel's label to indicate the infection risk associated with the drug.

In February 2002, researchers at Rush Medical College in Chicago revealed that Enbrel may be associated with the development of lupus.

In August 2003, the FDA approved Enbrel for the treatment of bone and joint damage associated with psoriatic arthritis.

Enbrel and lawsuits: See your doctor if you have experienced serious side effects associated with Enbrel. In addition, it may be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.

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