Brand
name: NUCOXIA
(Arcoxia, Etoricoxib)
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the
risks of you taking NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) against the benefits they expect it will
have for you.
NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) is used for the following:
acute and chronic treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
(OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
* relief of chronic musculoskeletal pain
* relief of acute pain
* to treat acute gouty arthritis
NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) reduces pain and
inflammation by blocking COX-2, an enzyme in the body.
NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) does not block
COX-1, the enzyme involved in protecting the stomach from ulcers.
NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) relieves pain
and inflammation with less risk of stomach ulcers compared to NSAIDS.
In clinical studies, the risk of developing ulcers on NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) was
lower than with NSAIDs. Some people developed ulcers whether they were
taking NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) or placebo in these studies; however the rate was higher
on NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib).
Your doctor may have prescribed NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) for another reason. Ask your
doctor if you have any questions about why NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) has been prescribed
for you.
NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) is not addictive.
Special precautions
Do not take NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) if:
you have an allergy to NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) or any of the ingredients listed at
the end of this leaflet
* the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
* The expiry date on the pack has passed.
* If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work.
* you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) is not recommended for use during late
pregnancy. If there is a need to consider using NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib)
during your pregnancy, your doctor
will discuss with you the benefits and risks of using it -you are breast-feeding
or plan to breast-feed;
It is not known if NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) passes into breast milk. You and your doctor
should discuss whether you should stop breast-feeding or not take NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib).
you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
history of angina, heart attack or a blocked artery in your heart,
kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure
* you have had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines
(commonly known as NSAIDs)
* Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include asthma, pinkish itchy swellings
on the skin (hives), runny or blocked nose.
* you have an infection
* If you take NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib) while you have an infection, it may hide fever and may
make you think, mistakenly, that you are better or that your infection is less
serious than it might be.
* You have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such
as foods, preservatives or dyes.
* Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines
that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health
food shop.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel
well while you are taking NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib).Tell your doctor
if you notice or have any of the following and they worry you:
feeling sick (nausea), vomiting ,
* heartburn, indigestion, uncomfortable feeling or pain in the stomach, * diarrhea
* swelling of the legs, ankles or feet ,
* high blood pressure
* dizziness,
* headache ,
Additionally, the following have been reported:
allergic reactions including rash, itching and hives
* severe skin reactions ,
* taste alteration,
* wheezing,
* insomnia,
* anxiety,
* drowsiness,
* mouth ulcers ,
These are usually the mild adverse effects of NUCOXIA (Arcoxia, Etoricoxib).
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty
in swallowing or breathing
* heart failure,
* serious kidney problems
* serious liver problems,
* stomach pain,
* stomach ulcers that may become serious and may bleed
Other adverse effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
