Description

🩺 Uses

Etoricoxib is an NSAID designed to relieve pain and inflammation. Typical uses include:

• Osteoarthritis – reduces pain and joint stiffness
• Rheumatoid arthritis – eases inflammatory joint symptoms
• Ankylosing spondylitis – relief of spinal and large joint stiffness
• Gouty arthritis – alleviates acute gout pain
• Chronic low back pain and musculoskeletal pain
• Short-term relief (e.g., dental surgery pain) – usually for up to 3 days at 90 mg (CARE Hospitals, Medicover Hospitals, Medicines.org.uk)

💊 How It Works & Dosage

• By selectively blocking COX‑2 enzymes, it reduces pain and inflammation while sparing the stomach more than typical NSAIDs (DrugBank, Medicover Hospitals).
• Standard dosing: 90 mg once daily for arthritis. For short‑term postoperative pain, 90 mg daily (limited to 3 days). Other conditions may use 60 mg or 120 mg (Medicines.org.uk).

⚠️ Common & Serious Side Effects

Very common

• Stomach pain (Drugs.com, Apollo Pharmacy)

Common (1–10%)

• Digestive problems: indigestion, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, gastritis (Apollo Pharmacy)
• Headache, dizziness (Apollo Pharmacy, Yashoda Hospitals)
• Edema (swelling of legs/feet due to fluid) (Drugs.com)
• Palpitations, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure (Drugs.com)
• Shortness of breath, bronchospasm (especially in asthmatics) (Drugs.com, Apollo Pharmacy)
• Mouth ulcers, dry socket after tooth extraction (Drugs.com)

Less common/serious

• Liver enzyme elevations, jaundice, liver failure (Drugs.com)
• Severe gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers (Yashoda Hospitals)
• Serious skin reactions like exanthematous eruptions (Medicines.org.uk)
• Low sodium (hyponatremia) (Drugs.com, Apollo Pharmacy)

🧭 Precautions & Contraindications

Avoid or use cautious monitoring if you have:

• Cardiovascular issues: heart failure, angina, prior heart attack, stroke, PAD – NSAIDs may worsen these (Medicines.org.uk, Apollo Pharmacy)
• Hypertension – can exacerbate high blood pressure (Medicines.org.uk, Apollo Pharmacy)
• Stomach ulcers or GI bleeding history (Drugs.com)
• Liver or kidney disease – dose adjustments or avoidance recommended (Medicines.org.uk)
• Fluid-depleted state (e.g., dehydration) – risk of kidney damage (Medicines.org.uk, Apollo Pharmacy)
• Asthma – can trigger bronchospasm (Patient, Apollo Pharmacy)
• Elderly (65+) – increased monitoring needed (Medicover Hospitals)
• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding – not advised without doctor’s approval (CARE Hospitals, Patient)
• Children/adolescents <16 years – contraindicated (Medicines.org.uk)

Drug Interactions

• With ACE inhibitors, diuretics, digoxin, salbutamol, aspirin (especially high-dose): increased risk of adverse effects (Medicines.org.uk)

✅ Safety Tips

1. Take with food to minimize GI irritation.
2. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
3. Monitor blood pressure regularly.
4. Watch for signs of stomach bleeding (black stool, severe pain), liver issues (yellowing), heart trouble (chest pain, breathlessness), or allergic reactions. Seek medical attention immediately.
5. Avoid alcohol and other NSAIDs to reduce risks.
6. Regular check-ups for kidney, liver, and heart health if on long-term therapy.

📋 Quick Summary Table