Urticaria due to etanercept in a patient with psoriatic arthritis

• Published in: Southern medical journal (Birmingham, Ala.) Vol. 102; no. 3; p. 304
• Main Authors: Borrás-Blasco, Joaquín, Gracia-Perez, Antonio, Rosique-Robles, J Dolores, Nuñez-Cornejo, Claudia, Casterá, M D Elvira, Abad, F Javier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2009
• Subjects: Arthritis, Psoriatic - drug therapy; Etanercept; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - adverse effects; Immunologic Factors - adverse effects; Middle Aged; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; Urticaria - chemically induced
• ISSN: 1541-8243
• DOI: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e31819450e7

A 50-year-old woman was referred to our emergency room because of urticaria. Eleven days after etanercept therapy was started, the patient developed an urticarial rash of the trunk and face. A diagnosis of generalized urticaria was made. Etanercept treatment was suspended. Treatment was started with methylprednisolone and dexchlorpheniramine. The patient's condition improved and she was discharged. In this case, the most probable cause of urticaria was considered to be etanercept because of the temporal relationship between exposure to the drug and the onset of symptoms. The adverse reaction could be considered probable. Although the overall risk of skin adverse events associated with etanercept appears low, clinicians should be aware of this reaction.