Arcoxia (Etoricoxib)

Common use

Arcoxia is used to treat acute and chronic osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gouty arthritis, to relieve of chronic musculoskeletal pain. It contains etoricoxib, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which blocks the formation of prostaglandins, substances responsible for inflammation, pain and fever symptoms. Arcoxia has no effect on platelet function and gastrointestinal mucosa.



Dosage and directions

Take the tablets orally with a glass of water with or without a meal. The recommended dose to treat osteoarthritis is 60 mg once daily. To treat rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis take 90 mg once daily. For acute gouty arthritis take 120 mg one time a day. The treatment cannot continue longer than eight days if the daily dose is 120 mg a day. Average therapeutic dose to treat pain is 60 mg taken one time. Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dose.



Precautions

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding, have had allergy to Arcoxia or NSAIDs, heart failure, a heart attack, bypass surgery, chest pain, a stroke or mini stroke, narrow or blocked arteries of the extremities in history. Do not take the drug without consulting your doctor about your actual high blood pressure, planned major surgery and conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or smoking, which may increase possibility of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Cautiousness should be exercised in the patients over 65 years of age. Lactose is included in the composition of the tablet coat, which should be taken into consideration by the patients with lactase deficiency.



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, infancy, pregnancy and breastfeeding, bronchial asthma, recurrent nasal polyposis, or paranasal sinuses and intolerance of aspirin and other NSAIDs (also in history), ulcers and erosive changes in gastric mucosal or duodenum, gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebrovascular or any other kind of bleeding, acute inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), hemophilia and other clotting disorders, severe heart failure, severe liver failure or actual disease of liver, severe kidney failure, serious kidney diseases, confirmed hyperkalemia, period after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, symptomatic coronary artery disease, stable high blood pressure accompanied by uncontrolled hypertension.



Possible side effect

The most common side effects are: swelling of the legs, ankles or feet, sickness, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, uncomfortable feeling or pain in the stomach, diarrhea, high blood pressure, dizziness, headache.



Drug interaction

Inform your doctor about all prescribed and over-the-counter medications you are currently taking and especially about warfarin, inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), acetylsalicylic acid (concomitant use may increase risk of ulcers in gastrointestinal tract), rifampicin (reduces effects of Arcoxia).



Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.



Overdose

If you took too much of this medication contact your doctor immediately even if there is no signs of poisoning.



Storage

Store at room temperature of 59-86 F (15-30 C) away from moisture and sunlight. Keep away from moisture (bathroom).



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.