Etoricoxib 60mg Tablets

Etoricoxib 60mg Tablets

What are Etoricoxib tablets used for?

Etoricoxib tablets are used to reduce joint pain, muscle pain and swelling in people aged 16 and over. They treat several conditions that cause ongoing inflammation:

• Osteoarthritis, where the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually breaks down, causing swelling, pain, tenderness and stiffness
• Rheumatoid arthritis, a long-term inflammatory condition that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and increasing loss of movement in the affected joints
• Ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease of the spine and large joints
• Gout, which causes sudden, recurring attacks of very painful inflammation and redness in the joints

Etoricoxib is also used for the short-term treatment of moderate pain after dental surgery in people aged 16 and over.

How do Etoricoxib tablets work?

Etoricoxib is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, part of a family of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

When the body is injured or inflamed, an enzyme called COX-2 helps produce chemicals called prostaglandins. These prostaglandins trigger the pain, swelling and inflammation you feel in an affected joint or muscle.

Etoricoxib blocks the COX-2 enzyme, which reduces the production of those chemicals. This helps ease the pain and bring down the swelling linked to conditions like arthritis and gout.

Because it targets COX-2 rather than the enzymes that help protect the stomach lining, etoricoxib is often considered gentler on the stomach than traditional NSAIDs.

Who can use Etoricoxib tablets?

Etoricoxib is suitable for adults and young people aged 16 and over. Your doctor will decide if it’s right for you based on your medical history.

Don’t take Etoricoxib if you:

• Are allergic to etoricoxib or any of the other ingredients
• Are allergic to other NSAIDs, including aspirin and other COX-2 inhibitors
• Have a current stomach ulcer, or bleeding in your stomach or intestines
• Have serious liver disease
• Have serious kidney disease
• Are pregnant, could be pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• Are under 16 years of age
• Have inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or colitis
• Have high blood pressure that isn’t controlled by treatment
• Have heart problems, including moderate or severe heart failure, or angina
• Have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, or peripheral arterial disease
• Have had any kind of stroke, including a mini-stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Etoricoxib if you:

• Have previously had stomach bleeding or ulcers
• Are dehydrated, for example after a prolonged bout of vomiting or diarrhoea
• Have swelling due to fluid retention
• Have previously had heart failure or any other form of heart disease
• Have previously had high blood pressure, as etoricoxib can raise blood pressure in some people
• Have previously had liver or kidney disease
• Are being treated for an infection, as etoricoxib can mask a fever
• Have diabetes, high cholesterol, or are a smoker
• Are a woman trying to become pregnant
• Are over 65 years of age

How To Take Etoricoxib Tablets

Take 1 tablet once daily, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. The tablet may start to work faster when taken without food.

Your doctor will prescribe the strength and dose that suits your condition. Take the lowest dose that controls your pain, and don’t take it for longer than necessary:

• For osteoarthritis, the usual dose is 30mg once a day, increased to a maximum of 60mg once a day if needed
• For rheumatoid arthritis, the usual dose is 60mg once a day, increased to a maximum of 90mg once a day if needed
• For ankylosing spondylitis, the usual dose is 60mg once a day, increased to a maximum of 90mg once a day if needed
• For gout, the dose is 120mg once a day, used only during the painful period and for no more than 8 days
• For pain after dental surgery, the dose is 90mg once a day for no more than 3 days

If you have mild liver disease, don’t take more than 60mg a day. If you have moderate liver disease, don’t take more than 30mg a day. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects of Etoricoxib Tablets

Like all medicines, Etoricoxib can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.

Very Common Side Effects

These may affect more than 1 in 10 people:

• Stomach pain

Common Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 10 people:

• Dry socket (inflammation and pain after a tooth extraction)
• Swelling of the legs and feet due to fluid retention
• Dizziness or headache
• Palpitations or an irregular heart rhythm
• Increased blood pressure
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Constipation, wind, heartburn, diarrhoea, indigestion, nausea, being sick, mouth ulcers or inflammation of the stomach lining or oesophagus
• Changes in blood tests related to your liver
• Bruising
• Weakness, fatigue or a flu-like illness

Uncommon Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 100 people:

• Stomach flu, upper respiratory infections or urinary tract infections
• Changes in blood test results, including reduced red or white blood cells and platelets
• Allergic reactions, including hives
• Increased or decreased appetite, or weight gain
• Anxiety, depression, reduced mental sharpness, or hallucinations
• Changes in taste, difficulty sleeping, numbness or tingling, or sleepiness
• Blurred vision, eye irritation and redness
• Ringing in the ears or vertigo
• Abnormal heart rhythm, fast heart rate, heart failure, angina or heart attack
• Flushing, stroke, mini-stroke, a severe rise in blood pressure, or inflammation of the blood vessels
• Cough, breathlessness or nosebleeds
• Bloating, changes in bowel habits, dry mouth, stomach ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammation of the pancreas
• Swelling of the face, skin rash, itchy skin or redness of the skin
• Muscle cramps, spasms, pain or stiffness
• High potassium levels, kidney changes or serious kidney problems
• Chest pain

Rare Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people:

• Serious allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or anaphylaxis
• Confusion or restlessness
• Liver problems (hepatitis), liver failure or jaundice
• Low sodium levels in the blood
• Severe skin reactions

Stop taking Etoricoxib and talk to your doctor immediately if you notice:

• Shortness of breath, chest pain, or ankle swelling that appears or gets worse
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Severe or continual stomach pain, or black stools
• An allergic reaction, such as skin ulcers or blistering, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat that makes breathing difficult

Reporting Etoricoxib Side Effects

If you notice any side effects not listed here, tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly through the Yellow Card Scheme. Reporting side effects helps provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Etoricoxib Tablets Ingredients

Active ingredient: etoricoxib 60 mg

Other ingredients: dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol, indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132) and iron oxide yellow (E172).

Warnings and Precautions

• Take the lowest dose that controls your pain and don’t take Etoricoxib for longer than necessary, as the risk of heart attack and stroke may increase with prolonged treatment, especially at high doses.
• Etoricoxib can raise blood pressure in some people, so your doctor may want to check it from time to time.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you’re taking, including blood thinners like warfarin, rifampicin, methotrexate, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, lithium, blood pressure and heart failure medicines, diuretics, digoxin and minoxidil.
• Don’t take high-dose aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines while taking Etoricoxib. If you take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks or stroke, don’t stop it without speaking to your doctor first.
• Etoricoxib can cause dizziness and sleepiness. Don’t drive or use tools or machines if you’re affected.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store below 30°C and don’t use after the expiry date shown on the carton.