Arcoxia

Many women experience muscle and joint pain when they go through menopause. The culprit? Changing hormone levels in your body. When your hormone levels drop, the formation of cartilage and blood flow to your muscles and joints are affected, too. In the long term, this can cause muscle pain and stiffness, and inflammation in the joints.

If these symptoms are severe, the doctor may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ARCOXIA. ARCOXIA contains the active substance etoricoxib which reduces pain, redness and swelling.

ARCOXIA tablets can be taken with or without food. 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. 

Dosage

ARCOXIA is available in various strengths and depending on your symptoms your doctor will prescribe the tablet strength that is appropriate for you. The recommended dose in adults and children aged 16 years and above is: 

• Osteoarthritis 
  The recommended dose is 30 mg once a day, increase to a maximum of 60 mg once a day if needed.
• Rheumatoid arthritis 
  The recommended dose is 60 mg once a day, increase to a maximum of 90 mg once a day if needed.
• Bechterew’s disease 
  The recommended dose is 60 mg once a day, increase to a maximum of 90 mg once a day if needed.
• Acute pain conditions 
  Etoricoxib should be used only for the acute painful period.
• Gout 
  The recommended dose is 120 mg once a day which should only be used for the acute painful period, limited to a maximum of eight days treatment.
• Postoperative dental surgery pain 
  The recommended dose is 90 mg once daily, limited to a maximum of three days treatment. For more information on dosage, see the package leaflet.

Alcohol/driving

This medicine does not interact with alcohol.

Dizziness and sleepiness have been reported in some patients taking ARCOXIA. Stay out of traffic and do not operate heavy machinery if you experience these side effects. 

If you use more than you should/forget to use ARCOXIA

If you take more tablets than you were told to, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to take a dose of this medicine, do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten one. Skip the missed dose and take the next tablet at the usual time. 

ARCOXIA is not suitable for everyone. Do not take this medicine if:

• You are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine (see section ‘What ARCOXIA contains').
• you are allergic to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and COX‑2 inhibitors.
• You have a current stomach ulcer or bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
• You have serious liver disease.
• You have serious kidney disease.
• You are or could be pregnant or are breastfeeding.
• You are under 16 years of age.
• You have inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or colitis.
• You have high blood pressure that has not been controlled by treatment.
• Your doctor has diagnosed heart problems including heart failure (moderate or severe types) or angina (chest pain).
• You have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, peripheral arterial disease.
• You have had any kind of stroke (including mini-stroke, transient ischaemic attack or TIA). Etoricoxib may slightly increase your risk of heart attack and stroke and this is why it should not be used in those who have already had heart problems or stroke. 
  

When should this medicine be used with caution? 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ARCOXIA if:

• You have a history of stomach bleeding or ulcers.
• You are dehydrated, for example by a prolonged bout of vomiting or diarrhoea.
• You have swelling due to fluid retention.
• You have a history of heart failure, or any other form of heart disease.
• You have a history of high blood pressure.
• You have any history of liver or kidney disease.
• You are being treated for an infection.
• You have diabetes, high cholesterol, or are a smoker.
• You are a woman trying to become pregnant.
• You are over 65 years of age. 
  

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy 
If you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant, or if you are planning to become pregnant, do not take the tablets. If you become pregnant, stop using ARCOXIA and contact your doctor. Consult your doctor if you are unsure or need more advice.

Breastfeeding 
It is not known if ARCOXIA is excreted in human milk. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, consult your doctor before taking ARCOXIA. If you are using ARCOXIA, you must not breastfeed. 

Other medicines and ARCOXIA

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, herbal medicines or other natural products.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although some people may not experience any. If you develop any of these signs you should stop ARCOXIA and talk to your doctor immediately: 

• Shortness of breath, chest pains, or ankle swelling appear or if they get worse.
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) – these are signs of liver problems.
• Severe or continual stomach pain or your stools become black.
• An allergic reaction, which can include skin problems such as ulcers or blistering, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat which may cause difficulty in breathing. 
  

Side effects that are known to be associated with ARCOXIA include: 

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 users): 

Stomach pain. 

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 users): 

• Dry socket (inflammation and pain after a tooth extraction).
• Swelling of the legs and/or feet due to fluid retention (oedema).
• Dizziness, headache.
• Palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeat), irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
• Increased blood pressure.
• Wheezing or shortness of breath (bronchospasms).
• Gastrointestinal problems (see the package leaflet for details).
• Changes in blood tests related to your liver.
• Bruising.
• Weakness and fatigue, flu-like illness. 
  

See the package leaflet for a list of uncommon and rare side effects. If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any side effects not listed in this leaflet. 

The active substance is etoricoxib. Each film-coated tablet contains 30, 60, 90 or 120 mg of etoricoxib.