When your body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, TNF inhibitors, a class of biologic drugs that block tumor necrosis factor, a key driver of inflammation. Also known as anti-TNF agents, these medications are used daily by millions to stop joint damage, reduce bowel inflammation, and ease chronic pain. They don’t cure autoimmune diseases—but they often change the game for people who haven’t responded to older treatments.
TNF inhibitors are part of a larger group called biologic drugs, medications made from living cells that target specific parts of the immune system. Unlike pills like methotrexate, they’re injected or infused because they’re proteins that would break down in the stomach. Common ones include adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept. These drugs work by blocking TNF-alpha, a signaling protein that tells immune cells to cause swelling and tissue damage. In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints, that means less pain, less swelling, and slower joint destruction.
But they’re not magic. Because they suppress part of your immune system, you’re more vulnerable to infections like tuberculosis or fungal lung infections. That’s why doctors test for latent TB before starting treatment. They’re also expensive, and not everyone responds. Some people need to switch between different TNF inhibitors to find one that works. Others need to combine them with other drugs like methotrexate for better results. And while they’re approved for several conditions—including psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ankylosing spondylitis—they’re not used for every case. Doctors pick them based on your symptoms, other health issues, and how your body reacts to earlier treatments.
You’ll find plenty of real-world advice in the posts below. From how TNF inhibitors interact with other medications, to what to do if you develop a fever while on treatment, to how they compare with newer non-TNF biologics—this collection gives you the practical details most guides skip. No fluff. No theory. Just what you need to know if you’re taking one, considering one, or managing someone who is.
