Etoricoxib
Description
Etoricoxib is a painkiller medicine. It provides relief from pain, stiffness, and swelling due to various conditions like ankylosing spondylitis (pain and stiffness of bones of the spine), osteoarthritis (tender and painful joints due to wear down of protective cartilage between the ends of the bones), rheumatoid arthritis (swelling and pain in the small joints of your body), etc. It is also used to relieve pain after dental surgery. Etoricoxib works by preventing the release of a chemical substance that causes pain and swelling in your body.
Etoricoxib may show side effects such as increased blood pressure, dizziness, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach pain, etc. These side effects usually subside by themselves. However, consult your doctor if they persist or worsen. Avoid driving and operate heavy machines if you feel dizzy and/or sleepy.
Etoricoxib oral forms (tablets/dispersible tablets/capsules) can be taken with or without food as instructed by your doctor. It may act more quickly when taken without food. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine at the same time every day. Take it for the complete duration of treatment for better results. Etoricoxib injection is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting.
Etoricoxib ointment is for external use only. Apply a thin layer of Etoricoxib ointment to the affected area as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment depending on the severity of your health condition.
Etoricoxib is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it or other similar medicines like Aspirin, Paracetamol, etc. Avoid taking this medicine if you have severe liver or kidney problems, or existing heart problems. Use this medicine with caution if you have diabetes and/or high blood cholesterol levels.
Etoricoxib is not recommended for use in children below 16 years of age. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Etoricoxib
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Blurred vision
- Increase in blood pressure
- Urinary tract infection
- Indigestion
- Diarrhoea
- Drowsiness
- Swelling of feet and lower legs
Uses of Etoricoxib
What is it prescribed for?
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Acute Gout
- Dental Pain
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Etoricoxib can be observed after 30 minutes of oral administration.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Etoricoxib remains active in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported for Etoricoxib.
- Usage in pregnancy?Etoricoxib is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known if Etoricoxib passes into the breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Etoricoxib if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc. It is also not recommended if you are allergic to other similar medicines like Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc.
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Etoricoxib can cause stomach and intestinal bleeding. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended if you have peptic ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, and food pipe) or bleeding in the stomach and intestine as it may worsen your health condition.
Severe Liver/Kidney Impairment
Etoricoxib is not recommended for use if you have severe liver and/or kidney problems. This medicine may further damage your liver and/or kidneys and worsen your condition.
Heart diseases
Etoricoxib is not recommended for use if you have heart problems such as heart failure (a condition in which your heart is unable to pump a sufficient amount of blood), ischaemic heart diseases (heart problems due to narrowing of the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart), high blood pressure that has not been adequately controlled or if you have undergone a coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a surgical procedure that diverts the blood from narrowed or blocked vessels in the heart to improve its blood supply). Taking this medicine may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke (a condition that occurs due to reduced blood supply to the brain).
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Etoricoxib is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Etoricoxib passes into the breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Use in Children
Etoricoxib is not recommended for use in children below 16 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Heart diseases
Etoricoxib should be used with caution if you have a history of heart problems as this medicine may cause heart attack and stroke. Report any incidence of heart problems to your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Dehydration
Etoricoxib should be used with caution if you are dehydrated as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor may correct such conditions first before starting the treatment.
High blood pressure
Etoricoxib can cause an increase in blood pressure. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have high blood pressure as it may worsen your health condition. Keep a regular check of your blood pressure while taking this medicine.
Infections
Etoricoxib should be used with caution if you have any infection since it may mask the symptoms of an infection such as a fever.
Diabetes or high cholesterol levels
Etoricoxib should be used with caution if you have diabetes (a condition of high sugar levels in your blood) or high blood cholesterol (fat) levels as it may increase the risk of heart problems. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Driving or operating machines
Etoricoxib may cause sleepiness, blurred vision, or dizziness in some cases. Hence, avoid driving vehicles and operating heavy machines if you experience such symptoms.
Missed Dose
Oral forms/Ointment: Try not to skip the dose of Etoricoxib. If you miss a dose, take/apply it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Injection: As Etoricoxib is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose of Etoricoxib. Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose for further guidance.
Ointment: An overdose of Etoricoxib is not likely to cause any serious effects. However, swallowing this medicine may cause harm and immediate medical intervention may be required.
Injection: Since Etoricoxib is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Lithium
Ramipril
Warfarin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Rifampicin
Disease interactions
Fluid Retention and oedema
Etoricoxib may cause fluid retention (abnormal build-up of fluid in the body) and lead to swelling of the legs and feet. Etoricoxib should be used with caution in such conditions as it may further increase the risk of heart problems. Keep a regular check of your blood pressure and heart functions while taking this medicine.
Liver Disease
Etoricoxib is broken down in your liver. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have liver problems as it may lead to the accumulation of this medicine in your body and increase the risk of side effects. It may also cause further liver damage. Your doctor may suggest tests to closely monitor your liver function and liver enzyme levels while taking this medicine.
Kidney Disease
Etoricoxib should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as this medicine may further damage your kidneys. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your kidney function while taking this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take Etoricoxib tablet/capsule with or without food as instructed by your doctor. Do not break, chew or crush the tablet/capsule. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose or for a longer duration than that recommended by your doctor.
Dispersible Tablet (DT): DT dissolves quickly and easily in water. Disperse Etoricoxib DT in a teaspoonful or a glass of water before administration. Do not take the medicine if the tablet is not dissolved/dispersed entirely in the water.
Injection: Etoricoxib injection is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting.
Ointment: Etoricoxib ointment is recommended for external use only. Apply the ointment to the affected area as instructed by your doctor. Avoid contact with the eyes, mucous membranes, or open wounds.
Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment depending on the severity of your health condition.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Etoricoxib stops the release of a chemical called prostaglandins, which causes pain and swelling. Thus, this medicine provides relief from pain and makes you feel better.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, Analgesics
Schedule
Schedule H
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Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 September 2021].
Stewart, M., 2021. Etoricoxib. Etoricoxib tablets and side effects at Patient. [online] Patient.info. Available at: <o/medicine/etoricoxib-for-pain-and-inflammation-arcoxia> [Accessed 2 September 2021].
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Information on this page was last updated on 22 Sep 2021
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