Etoricoxib

What etoricoxib is and how it works

Etoricoxib is a selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAID used to relieve pain and inflammation in several joint and postoperative pain conditions. It is not approved in the United States, unlike most NSAIDs commonly available there. (1)

Like other NSAIDs of this class, it carries a cardiovascular risk that increases with dose and duration, alongside gastrointestinal risks. The prescriber selects the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time for your specific condition.

Mechanism of action: how etoricoxib works

Etoricoxib selectively inhibits cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), reducing prostaglandin synthesis involved in pain and inflammation while relatively sparing COX-1-mediated gastric-protective prostaglandins compared with non-selective NSAIDs, though gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks remain. (1)

What is Etoricoxib used for?

Before taking etoricoxib

Do not take / not appropriate for

• Do not take etoricoxib if you have an active stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, severe liver problems, or kidney impairment with creatinine clearance under 30 mL/min. (all products) (1)
• Do not take etoricoxib if you have heart failure, established heart or blood-vessel disease (including a previous heart attack, stroke, or mini-stroke), or persistently uncontrolled high blood pressure (above about 140/90 mmHg). (all products) (1)
• Do not take etoricoxib if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant, or under 16 years of age. (all products) (1)

Tell your clinician about

• Any history of stomach ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, or risk factors for these.
• Liver or kidney disease.
• Whether you take aspirin, warfarin, an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, or rifampicin.
• Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Etoricoxib dosage and how to take it

• Take exactly the strength and duration prescribed for your specific condition; do not use a strength or duration intended for a different indication.
• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed.
• Do not exceed the maximum course length for your indication (for example, 8 days for gout or 3 days for dental pain), and do not repeat a course without checking with your prescriber.
• Do not change your dose or stop taking etoricoxib without talking to your prescriber first.

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2)

Missed dose

Follow the product instructions for missed doses, or ask your prescriber or pharmacist. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Overdose

Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, or a poison-control/emergency service if an overdose is suspected. (1)

Etoricoxib side effects

Effects on the stomach, blood pressure, and fluid retention are the main concerns to watch for.

Serious warnings

Interactions

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Monitoring

Before starting

• Confirm the diagnosis and that etoricoxib is appropriate given cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and renal risk factors.
• Check blood pressure and screen for contraindications listed above.

During treatment

• Monitor blood pressure within 2 weeks of starting and periodically thereafter.
• Watch for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and liver-related warning symptoms.
• Do not exceed the maximum course length for the indication being treated.

Storage

Store as directed on the product label, out of reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Arcoxia 30 mg Film-coated Tablets — Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic Medicines Compendium (UK) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-26 · source 1
2. FDA Not Approvable letter for Arcoxia (etoricoxib), 2007, following a 20-1 Arthritis Advisory Committee vote against approvalAggregated secondary sources (Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, PharmaTimes, Patient Care Online) corroborating a public FDA regulatory action, not used as clinical evidence · United States · accessed 2026-07-26 · source 2
3. etoricoxib — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 307296)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient etoricoxib names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries