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for Plaque Psoriasis 
Plaque psoriasis is a lifelong condition that causes thick, scaly, red skin. It was estimated in 2013, about 7.4 million adults in America have psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form. Approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Take a few minutes to learn more about plaque psoriasis.
Your immune system is designed to help protect your body from bacteria, infection, and viruses. But in conditions like plaque psoriasis, your immune system is not working properly. It could make too much of several proteins, including one called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF. The extra TNF can cause inflammation. This leads to skin cell buildup and the formation of raised red patches, known as plaques, which often have silvery tops.
See what ENBREL does in response.Most people see patches of thick red skin with silvery scales on top. These are called plaques. They can appear anywhere, but are often seen on the elbows, knees, head, and lower back. Some people also have joint pain. If you have both joint and skin symptoms, you may have a related condition called psoriatic arthritis. It’s important to tell your doctor about all your symptoms so that you can get the best treatment possible.
Plaque psoriasis symptoms may get better or worse without reason. But some events can trigger flare-ups. Stress, skin injuries, infections, or reactions to some medicines are a few things that may make your plaque psoriasis get worse.
People of all ages, sexes, and ethnicities can get plaque psoriasis. The peak ages of onset are between 20-30 and 50-60 years of age. No one knows the exact cause, but it can be passed from one generation to the next.
The symptoms of plaque psoriasis can sometimes be mistaken for other skin conditions. To help your doctor find the best treatment for you, it’s important to understand your symptoms. The main symptom of plaque psoriasis is plaques on the skin.
What are plaques?
Patches of thick red skin with silvery scales on top
Plaques can be anywhere on the skin
Most plaques are on the elbows, knees, head, or lower back
If you also have joint pain, swelling, or morning stiffness, be sure to tell your doctor. Having both joint and skin symptoms may mean you have a different condition called psoriatic arthritis.
Plaques can appear anywhere on the body. Symptoms also seem to get better or worse without reason. But there are certain events that are known to cause flare-ups, such as stress, skin injuries, infections, or reactions to some medicines.
Use this simple guide to help your doctor understand how your moderate to severe PsO is impacting your life, and ask whether ENBREL is right for you.
Download the Doctor Discussion Guide »
Download our brochure, which has information on moderate to severe PsO all in one place.
Download Now »ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune
ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can
lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections
have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and
infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria
that have
What is the most important information I should know about ENBREL?
ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.
There have been some cases of unusual cancers, some resulting in death, reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA may be more likely to get lymphoma.
Before starting ENBREL, tell your healthcare provider if you:
What are the possible side effects of ENBREL?
ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: New infections or worsening of infections you already have; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.
Common side effects include: Injection site reactions and upper respiratory infections (sinus infections).
In general, side effects in children were similar in frequency and type as those seen in adult patients. The types of infections reported were generally mild and similar to those usually seen in children.
These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.
Psoriatic Arthritis
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.
Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
Moderately to Severely Active Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.
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