Valdecoxib

Anti-rheumatic, Systemic · Cox-2 inhibitor

Indications

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, primary dysmenorrhoea.

Dosage

Adults: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis: 10 mg once daily; max 20 mg once daily. Dysmenorrhoea: 40 mg once daily. On first day of treatment an additional 40 mg dose may be taken if necessary. Max 40 mg once daily. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

Dry mouth, hypertension, peripheral oedema, GI upset, insomnia, somnolence, anaemia, respiratory symptoms, skin reactions. UTIs.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to sulphonamides, aspirin/anti-inflammatory induced allergies. Active peptic ulcer or GI bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease. Severe congestive heart failure, severe hepatic impairment. Women attempting to conceive. Precautions: Moderate hepatic impairment, renal impairment, by-pass surgery. Serious skin reactions (discontinue). Hypertension, cardiac failure or other conditions predisposing to fluid retention. Dehydration. Surgical wounds. Elderly.

Interactions

Warfarin, other anticoagulants, antihypertensives cyclosporin, tacrolimus, rifampicin, lithium, oral contraceptives, inhibitors or substrates of CYP3A4, 2C9, 2C19 or 2D6.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. To prevent GI upset, take with meals. Discontinue medication and inform prescriber immediately if there is constant stomach pain, cramps, unusual bruising or bleeding, blood in stool/vomitus/urine. Contact prescriber if there is difficulty in breathing, skin rash, muscle pain, unusual fatigue, skin rash, lethargy, yellowing of skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms, sudden weight gain, changes in urinary pattern. Do not take with antacids. Avoid alcohol during therapy. Do not take aspirin or other medications during therapy without consulting prescriber. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from GI tract. High-fat delays absorption. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: 83%. Half-life elimination: 8-11 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: 3 hrs. Excretion: Urine (mainly). Faeces (<5%).

Brands with this active ingredient

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

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.