ETORICOXIB (ArcoxiaŽ) is a new COX-2 selective inhibitor used for chronic pain and for acute pain. Current therapeutic indications are: treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic low back pain, acute pain and gout. Note that approved indications differ by country
Erocicoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is commonly used to treat Osteoarthritis, Acute gout and Rheumatoid arthritis.
Tell your doctor if any of these apply yo you:
you have rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malsorpition
you are allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen)
you have severely decreased liver or kidney function
you have active peptic ulcer or bleeding from the gut
you have inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
you have uncontrolled blood pressure
you have had heart recent heart attack
you have disease of the blood vessels in and around the brain (cerebrovascular disease) (eg, history of stroke)
you have poor circulation in the arteries of the legs or feet (peripheral arterial disease)
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
Safety issues:
This medicine may cause fatigue and dizziness. You should take care when performing potentially hazardous activites, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you and are sure you can perform such activities safely.
NSAIDs can occasionally cause serious side effects on the gut, such as ulceration, bleeding or perforation of the stomach or intestinal lining. This type of side effect is more likely to occur in elderly people and in people taking high doses of the medicine. The risk can also be increased by taking certain other medicines (see below). It is important that these people, as well as people with a history of disorders affecting the stomach or intestines, are closely monitored by a doctor while taking this medicine. All people taking this medicine should stop treatment and consult their doctor immediately if they experience any sign of bleeding from the stomach or intestine during treatment, for example vomiting blood and/or passing black/tarry/bloodstained stools.
COX-2 inhibitors may carry an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke when compared to placebo (no treatment). If you have risk factors for heart disease or stroke, such as diabetes, high cholesterol or smoking, your doctor will need to assess the overall benefits and risks before deciding if this medicine is suitable for you. In general, if this medicine is suitable, your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose for as short a time as possible to control your symptoms, because the risks may increase with higher doses and the longer the medicine is taken. Do not exceed the prescribed dose. Tell your doctor if you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or ankle swelling while taking the medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.
Your blood pressure should be regularly monitored while you are taking this medicine.
Possible side effects:
liver or kidney disorders
headache
ulceration or bleeding of the stomach or intestine
dizziness
heart attack or stroke
disturbances of the gut such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, constipation, indigestion, flatulence or abdominal pain
chest pain
excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)
shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
high blood pressure (hypertension)
nosebleeds (epistaxis)
weakness or loss of strength
depression
fatigue
anxiety
cold or flu-like symptoms
weight gain
skin reactions, such as rash and itching
muscle cramps
blurred vision
difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
What is a generic pill?
Generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is produced and distributed without a brand name. A generic must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. In most cases, it is considered bioequivalent to the brand name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
