On this page
Before taking etoricoxib
Before taking etoricoxib make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you are under 16 or over 65 years of age.
- If you think you may be dehydrated, for example if you have recently suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting.
- If you have liver or kidney problems.
- If you have asthma or any other allergic disorder.
- If you have ever had a stomach or duodenal ulcer.
- If you have a heart condition, or a problem with your blood vessels or circulation.
- If you have high blood pressure or swollen ankles.
- If you have ever had blood clotting problems.
- If you have inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's Disease, or ulcerative colitis.
- If you have systemic lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition also called lupus or SLE).
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic or unusual reaction to any other NSAID (this includes aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac and indometacin) or to any other medicine.
How to take etoricoxib
- Before starting etoricoxib, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
- Take etoricoxib exactly as your doctor has told you.
- Etoricoxib tablets are taken only once each day.
- It is not important whether you take the tablets before or after meals.
- If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want to check your blood pressure while you are taking etoricoxib.
- Your doctor will try to prescribe you the lowest dose for the shortest time so that you do not suffer from side-effects. If you need to take etoricoxib for a long time, your doctor may want to prescribe another medicine along with it to protect your stomach from irritation.
- If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking etoricoxib.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with etoricoxib.
Can etoricoxib cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Indigestion, feeling sick, abdominal pain | Stick to simple or bland foods - avoid rich or spicy foods |
| Dizziness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other tasks which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert |
| High blood pressure | Your doctor will measure your blood pressure regularly |
| Swollen ankles, fluid retention, headache, palpitations, bruising, flu-like illness, tiredness, diarrhoea, and wind | If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor |
- Any sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestine, such as blood in vomit or dark stools.
- Any shortness of breath, or swelling of the mouth or face.
- A severe skin rash.
- A severe headache with a high temperature and a stiff neck.
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store etoricoxib
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
|
References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Arcoxia® 30mg, 60 mg, 90 mg & 120 mg Film-coated Tablets, Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated February 2011.
- British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.