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Psoriasis - efalizumab and etanercept

Etanercept and efalizumab for the treatment of adults with psoriasis

Guidance type:  Technology appraisal
Date issued:  July 2006

We will consult on our review plans for this guidance in July 2008.

Reference:  TA103

Summary

Etanercept should be offered as an option for treating adults with severe plaque psoriasis when:

  • other treatments haven’t worked (for example, drugs given by injection or orally, that is, by mouth), or 
  •  these other treatments cause a reaction which means that the person shouldn't continue taking them, or
  •  the person has another condition or uses another medicine that means they should not take these other treatments.

If the person’s psoriasis has not shown a measured response to etanercept after 12 weeks, the treatment should be stopped.

Efalizumab should be offered as an option for treating adults with severe plaque psoriasis if:

  • the person meets the criteria in the three bullets above, and
  • etanercept hasn’t worked, or
  • etanercept causes a reaction which means that the person shouldn't continue taking it, or
  • the person has a condition or takes another medicine that means they should not take etanercept.
Further treatment with efalizumab is not recommended unless the person’s psoriasis has shown a measured response at 12 weeks.
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