Erelzi (Etanercept-szzs) for Spondylitis

Overview
Erelzi is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ankylosing spondylitis. Erelzi may be referred to by its drug name, Etanercept-szzs. Erelzi is a biosimilar of Enbrel. As defined by the FDA, a biosimilar is a biological product that is approved based on a showing that it is highly similar to an already-approved biological product.

Erelzi is an immunomodulator, or in other words, a drug that modulates the immune system. It is a fusion protein created by genetic engineering. Erelzi is believed to work by attaching to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a chemical messenger involved in autoimmune attacks. Erelzi binds to TNF-α and prevents it from signaling the immune system to attack the connective tissues.

How do I take it?
Erelzi is administered as a subcutaneous injection once a week.

Erelzi is available as single-use, prefilled syringe or pen.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Erelzi lists common side effects including infections and injection site reactions.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Erelzi can include severe infections, heart failure, increased risk for certain types of cancer, lupus-like syndrome, severe allergic reactions, blood cell disorders, and the development of demyelinating conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

For answers to frequently asked questions about exposure to Etanercept during pregnancy and breastfeeding, visit the experts at MothertoBaby.org.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Erelzi – Sandoz
http://www.erelzi.com/