Enbrel vs Stelara
 | Enbrel |  | Stelara |  |
| his medication is used alone or in combination with an immunosuppressant (such as methotrexate) to treat certain types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, juvenile idiopathic, and ankylosing spondylitis), as well as a skin condition called psoriasis. These conditions are caused by an overactive immune system (autoimmune disease). The immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells, causing inflammation in the joints and skin. Etanercept controls your body's defensive response by blocking the action of a certain natural substance (TNF) that is used by the immune system. Treatment decreases redness, itching and scaly patches in psoriasis as well as the pain, swelling and stiffness of joints in arthritis. This medication can stop the progression of disease and joint damage, resulting in improved daily functioning and quality of life. This medication treats but does not cure autoimmune diseases. Symptoms usually return within 1 month of stopping the medication. | This medication is used to treat moderate to severe cases of plaque psoriasis. It works by blocking certain natural proteins in your body (interleukin-12 and interleukin-23) that may lead to the overproduction of skin cells and inflammation seen in plaque psoriasis. Ustekinumab does not cure plaque psoriasis, but it can help lessen the symptoms, including decreasing the amount of painful, itchy, sore patches of thick, red or inflamed skin covered with silvery scales known as plaques. It is not known if using ustekinumab for more than 2 years is safe and effective. | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Enbrel review I had been taking enbrel for around 4 years. on mother's day 2013, got sepsis from enbrel. doctors gave me 12 hours to either die or get better. i was in icu for 4 days and don't remember the first 2 days. enbrel should not be on the market! do NOT take!!! Developed AS in my 20's and have taken many treatments from a variety of drugs. Started taking Enbrel when it was introduced after using Remicade and Methotrexate. The difference has been wonderful. Some side effects, dry eyes, declining vision etc. Balance is improved 95%, little or no pain except when I over exert working in the yard. Occasional use of Predisone when things flare up. I take 2x injections per week and agree the cost is killing me in increased insurance premiums. Mckesson rebates are extremely helpful with the deductible ($4000 per year on my plan) but then the insurance covers it for the rest of the year. Can hardly wait til Medicare 14 months out and hope that it is covered. | Add Stelara review I began taking Stelara just a few months ago. My freshman year of college I was diagnosed with psoriasis that eventually covered over 20% of my body. I started out with the creams, then to Humira. It cleared me up to about 5% body coverage after a few months, but was the most painful shot I have ever taken. It was every two weeks and I ended up just telling my dermatologist it was too much pain and I couldn't do it anymore. Then along came Stelara. It has completely change my life. It hasn't even been two months and I am now almost 100% clear (not even 1% body coverage)! I was down to 2% just a week after my first shot! It is only every three months and all you feel is a slight little pinch! I am so glad I made the switch and so glad this medication is available or I don't know what I would have done! I have had psoriasis for the past 35 years. After trying every drug from ointments to enbrel with no success my doc put me on stelara. The results were amazing after only 2 months so I put up with the side effects and my skin was plaque free for about a year. Gradually it started to come back again all over and the shots were discontinued. One year later and my skin is the worst it has ever been! | |||
