FDA Expands Enbrel's Psoriatic Arthritis Indications

The FDA has approved an expanded indication for Amgen and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals' arthritis treatment Enbrel.

The new indication expands the use of Enbrel (etanercept) to include improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. The FDA also approved updated labeling for the drug that includes radiographic data to show Enbrel inhibits the progression of joint destruction for two years among most patients.

Enbrel is also indicated to treat moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.