Arcoxia
Generic name: etoricoxib
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 14, 2022.
Note: Arcoxia has not been approved by the FDA for the U.S. market. The manufacturer of Arcoxia received a non-approvalable letter from the FDA in April of 2007. This non-approvable letter was due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) and questions on the benefit-risk ratio in patients taking Arcoxia. Merck will continue to market Arcoxia outside the United States.
What is Arcoxia?
Arcoxia is used for the following:
- acute and chronic treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- management of ankylosing spondylitis
- relief of chronic musculoskeletal pain
- relief of acute pain
- to treat acute gouty arthritis
Your doctor will prescribe Arcoxia for you only after you have used other medicines for your condition and they have not been suitable for you.
Your doctor will want discuss your treatment with Arcoxia from time to time. It is important that you use the lowest dose that controls your pain and you should not take Arcoxia for longer than necessary. This is because the risk of heart attacks and strokes might increase after prolonged treatment, especially with high doses.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease. It results from the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that covers the joints and cushions the ends of bones.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, tenderness, stiffness of one or more joints, and physical disability. The hips and knees are the most commonly affected joints, but other joints such as those of the hands and spine may also be affected.
Osteoarthritis is more common in women than in men. Many factors can lead to the development of osteoarthritis including obesity and joint injury (eg. from sport).
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of function in the joints and inflammation in other body organs.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease of the spine and large joints.
Gout
Gout is a disorder characterised by sudden, recurring attacks of pain and inflammation in one or more joints.
How does Arcoxia work?
Note: Arcoxia has not been approved by the FDA for the U.S. market.
Arcoxia belongs to a group of medicines called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitors (also known as coxibs).
The body produces two similar enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1, among other functions, is involved with protecting the stomach, while COX-2 plays a role in joint inflammation and pain.
Arcoxia reduces pain and inflammation by blocking COX-2, an enzyme in the body.
Arcoxia does not block COX-1, the enzyme involved in protecting the stomach from ulcers.
Other anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS) block both COX-1 and COX-2.
Arcoxia relieves pain and inflammation with less risk of stomach ulcers compared to NSAIDS.
However taking aspirin with Arcoxia may reverse this benefit (see Before you take Arcoxia, Taking Other Medicines).
In clinical studies, the risk of developing ulcers on Arcoxia was lower than with NSAIDs. Some people developed ulcers whether they were taking Arcoxia or placebo in these studies; however the rate was higher on Arcoxia.
If any of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pains or ankle swelling appear or worsen, stop your treatment with Arcoxia and consult a doctor, as soon as is practical.
If you have kidney, liver or heart disease, your doctor will...
