Etoricoxib

Anti-rheumatic, Systemic · NSAID

Indications

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gouty arthritis, moderate pain following dental surgery.

Dosage

Adults: Osteoarthritis: 30 mg once daily, increase if necessary to 60 mg once daily. Rheumatoid arthritis/Ankylosing spondylitis: 90 mg once daily. Acute gouty arthritis: 120 mg once daily; max 8 days. Dental pain: 90 mg once daily; max 3 days. Children: Osteoarthritis: 16-18 yr, 30 mg once daily, increased if necessary to 60 mg once daily. Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: 16-18 yr, 90 mg once daily. Acute gout: 16-18 yr, 120 mg once daily for max 8 days.

Adverse Effects

Edema, dizziness, headache, palpitation, hypertension, GI upset, raised liver enzymes, ecchymosis, asthaenia, flu-like illness, alveolar osteitis. Reports of MI, stroke, serious skin reactions.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Active peptic ulcer, GI bleeding, severe hepatic or renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min), aspirin/NSAID induced allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, moderate to severe CHF (NYHA II to IV), ischaemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension (> 140/900 mm Hg). Precautions: History of GI disease, cardiovascular risk factors. Mild to moderate renal impairment, uncompensated heart failure, cirrhosis; consider monitoring renal function. Dehydration. History of cardiac failure, LVD, oedema, hypertension; control BP before initiating treatment, monitor for 1st 2 weeks and regularly thereafter. Mild to moderate hepatic impairment, abnormal LFTs. Monitor for signs of cardiovascular adverse effects, such as fluid retention, high BP,…

Interactions

Oral anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonists, diuretics, other NSAIDs, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, lithium, methotrexate, digoxin, oral contraceptives, HRT, salbutamol, minoxidil, rifampicin.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Swallow tablets with a glass of water. Contact prescriber if there is blood in vomiting, black stools, bloody diarrhoea, chest pain, swelling on ankles/face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty in breathing, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe stomach pain. Regular exercise may help to reduce pain from arthritis.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed from the GI tract. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: Absolute: 100%. Half-life elimination: 22 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: Fasting patients: 1 hr. Excretion: Urine (70%). Faeces (20%).

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.