Arcoxia (etoricoxib) is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in the class of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. By selectively inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme, Arcoxia reduces the production of prostaglandins that drive pain and inflammation while sparing COX-1, which helps protect the stomach lining and supports platelet function. This pharmacologic selectivity is designed to provide effective pain relief for arthritis and acute pain with a lower rate of certain gastrointestinal side effects compared with many traditional, non-selective NSAIDs.
Clinically, Arcoxia is used to relieve pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility associated with:
In these conditions, etoricoxib can help patients resume daily activities by decreasing pain and improving joint function. Although COX-2 selectivity may reduce the risk of gastric ulcers relative to many non-selective NSAIDs, serious gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic risks are still possible. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms.
Always take Arcoxia exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Arcoxia is taken once daily by mouth, with or without food. Taking it with food may slow onset of relief slightly but can improve gastrointestinal comfort for some patients. Do not exceed the prescribed dose or extend the duration beyond what your clinician recommends.
Typical dosing ranges by indication:
General dosing principles:
Special populations:
Administration tips:
Before starting Arcoxia, discuss your full medical history and all medicines and supplements with your healthcare professional. Important precautions include:
Do not take Arcoxia if any of the following apply to you:
Like all medicines, Arcoxia can cause side effects. Many are mild and transient; others may be serious. Seek medical advice if side effects are persistent, severe, or concerning.
Commonly reported side effects:
Less common side effects:
Serious side effects — stop the medicine and seek immediate medical attention:
This is not an exhaustive list. Report any unexpected reactions to your healthcare provider and, when appropriate, to your national pharmacovigilance authority.
Always provide your prescriber and pharmacist with a complete list of your medicines, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Key interactions include:
Antacids and mild gastric protectants generally do not meaningfully alter etoricoxib absorption, though taking with food may modestly delay onset. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist about the optimal timing of doses.
If you miss a dose of Arcoxia, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, high blood pressure, kidney dysfunction, or gastrointestinal bleeding. There is no specific antidote for etoricoxib overdose.
Store Arcoxia tablets at controlled room temperature, ideally 20–25°C (68–77°F), with permissible brief excursions per product labeling. Keep in the original blister or container, protected from excess heat and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use after the expiration date, and dispose of unused tablets through a medicine take-back program if available.
This material is for informational and educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or other qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. The site owners assume no liability for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of the information provided.
Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not marketed for sale within the United States. As a result, Arcoxia cannot be legally dispensed by U.S. pharmacies, and U.S. prescribers do not issue routine prescriptions for it. Consumers should be wary of online vendors that claim to sell Arcoxia for delivery into the U.S., as such products may be unregulated, counterfeit, or unsafe. Importation of prescription drugs that are not FDA-approved generally violates federal law, with only narrow, discretionary exceptions.
Patients in the U.S. who need anti-inflammatory pain relief should consult a licensed clinician to discuss FDA-approved alternatives and an individualized risk–benefit assessment. Options may include non-selective NSAIDs (e.g., naproxen, ibuprofen), celecoxib (a COX-2 selective NSAID approved in the U.S.), adjuvant analgesics, non-pharmacologic therapies, and gastroprotection strategies when appropriate.
Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital offers a legal and structured solution for patients seeking guidance about Arcoxia without a traditional paper prescription by providing clinician-led evaluations and care coordination. For U.S.-based care, this service focuses on evidence-based pain management and FDA-compliant alternatives. Where permitted by law outside the United States, the hospital’s care team may facilitate access through licensed prescribers and accredited international pharmacy partners in countries where etoricoxib is approved, ensuring that any dispensing complies with local regulations and professional standards. Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital does not dispense or ship Arcoxia within the U.S. and does not promote unlawful importation; instead, it provides a regulated pathway to explore appropriate therapies and safe sourcing options based on jurisdiction.
Arcoxia is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that selectively inhibits COX‑2 to reduce pain and inflammation; it is used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gout, and short‑term treatment of acute pain.
Etoricoxib blocks the COX‑2 enzyme, lowering prostaglandin production that drives swelling and pain; by sparing COX‑1 it tends to cause fewer stomach ulcers than some traditional NSAIDs but can still raise cardiovascular and kidney risks.
Doctors prescribe Arcoxia for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gouty arthritis, and short‑term pain after dental or orthopedic procedures when an anti‑inflammatory is appropriate.
Pain relief often begins within 1 hour, with peak effect in a few hours; one daily dose typically provides 24‑hour coverage due to its long half‑life.
Common doses are 30–60 mg once daily for osteoarthritis, 60–90 mg once daily for rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, and 120 mg once daily for acute gout for up to 8 days; do not exceed 120 mg/day and use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.
Short courses are preferable; for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, ongoing use may be considered at the lowest effective dose under regular medical review; 120 mg dosing is for short‑term use only.
Headache, dizziness, heartburn, stomach discomfort, swelling of ankles or legs, and increased blood pressure are among the more common side effects.
Seek urgent care for chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side, black or bloody stools, severe stomach pain, sudden swelling or weight gain, decreased urine output, or severe skin rash/blistering.
People with established heart disease, stroke or TIA, peripheral arterial disease, active stomach/intestinal ulcers or bleeding, severe liver disease, advanced kidney disease, or uncontrolled hypertension should not take Arcoxia; it is not for children under 16 and is generally avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
You can take it with or without food; food may slightly delay absorption but does not reduce overall effect; take it at the same time each day.
Avoid taking Arcoxia with other NSAIDs (including ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac); low‑dose aspirin for heart protection may be allowed but increases stomach bleeding risk—ask your clinician and consider stomach protection if needed.
Yes, it can increase blood pressure or worsen existing hypertension; check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if readings rise.
Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) is not FDA‑approved in the United States but is approved in many other countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Yes, Arcoxia is a prescription‑only medicine; do not use it without a clinician’s guidance.
Take it when you remember on the same day; if it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose—do not double up.
Important interactions include warfarin and other anticoagulants (bleeding risk), ACE inhibitors/ARBs and diuretics (kidney risk), lithium and methotrexate (levels may rise), cyclosporine/tacrolimus (kidney toxicity), certain hormonal contraceptives (ethinyl estradiol levels may increase), and SSRIs/SNRIs or alcohol (bleeding risk); always review your medication list with your clinician.
Like other NSAIDs, etoricoxib may impair female fertility by affecting ovulation; women trying to conceive are usually advised to avoid it.
Alcohol increases the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding and can strain the liver; avoid or minimize alcohol when using Arcoxia, and never take it after heavy drinking or if you have signs of intoxication or dehydration.
Arcoxia is not recommended during pregnancy and is contraindicated especially from 20 weeks onward due to risks to the fetus (kidney problems, low amniotic fluid, and ductus arteriosus closure late in pregnancy); seek safer alternatives.
Breastfeeding safety data are limited; because of potential risks to the infant, Arcoxia is generally not recommended while nursing.
Discuss this with your surgeon; although COX‑2 inhibitors do not significantly impair platelets, many clinicians advise stopping etoricoxib about 3 days before major surgery (half‑life ~22 hours) to reduce kidney and cardiovascular risks.
Dentists sometimes prescribe short courses for post‑extraction pain and swelling; take only as directed, avoid combining with other NSAIDs, and inform your dentist if you use blood thinners or have a history of ulcers.
If your blood pressure is well controlled, your doctor may consider Arcoxia with close monitoring; it is contraindicated in uncontrolled hypertension—opt for alternatives until blood pressure is stable.
Etoricoxib can reduce kidney blood flow, especially in dehydration or with ACE inhibitors/ARBs/diuretics; avoid it in moderate to severe kidney impairment and monitor kidney function if use is necessary.
Avoid Arcoxia in severe liver disease; in mild impairment standard doses may be used, and in moderate impairment the maximum is typically 60 mg once daily—regular liver function monitoring is advised.
Both are COX‑2 selective NSAIDs with similar pain relief; Celebrex is widely available (including in the US), while Arcoxia is not FDA‑approved; safety profiles are comparable regarding stomach and cardiovascular risks, so the choice depends on availability, individual risk factors, and response.
Arcoxia tends to cause fewer stomach ulcers than diclofenac but both carry cardiovascular and kidney risks; diclofenac is widely available (including topical forms with lower systemic risk), while etoricoxib offers once‑daily dosing—pick based on personal risk profile and clinician advice.
Arcoxia provides potent, once‑daily anti‑inflammatory action and may be easier on the stomach than high‑dose ibuprofen, but both can raise blood pressure and affect kidneys; ibuprofen is OTC for short‑term use, whereas Arcoxia requires a prescription and closer monitoring.
Naproxen may have a more favorable cardiovascular risk signal among NSAIDs, but it can irritate the stomach more; Arcoxia may be gentler on the gut yet can raise blood pressure and cardiovascular risk—patients with heart risk often favor naproxen plus a PPI, per clinician judgment.
Meloxicam is COX‑2 preferential (not as selective as etoricoxib), widely available, and usually once daily; GI tolerability can be similar, while cardiovascular and kidney risks exist with both—cost, access, and individual response guide the choice.
Both relieve acute gout; etoricoxib 120 mg once daily for a short course is effective and may be better tolerated than indomethacin, which often causes more GI and CNS side effects; either should be used briefly with attention to comorbidities.
Rofecoxib was withdrawn due to increased heart attack and stroke risk; Arcoxia remains available in many countries with cardiovascular warnings and dose restrictions, reflecting lessons learned about COX‑2 inhibitor risks.
Valdecoxib was withdrawn for safety reasons (skin and cardiovascular events); parecoxib (an injectable prodrug of valdecoxib) is used in some hospitals short‑term post‑op; etoricoxib is oral, outpatient‑oriented, and not used perioperatively in settings where alternatives are preferred.
Ketorolac is a potent short‑term NSAID (often injectable) with high GI risk and a strict 5‑day limit; Arcoxia offers oral once‑daily dosing and better GI tolerability but carries cardiovascular and kidney risks—selection depends on setting, duration, and patient risks.
Piroxicam has a long half‑life and higher GI risk, especially in older adults; Arcoxia is often better tolerated gastrointestinally, but both have cardiovascular and renal risks—modern practice generally favors safer alternatives or COX‑2 selective use at the lowest dose.
Nabumetone is a nonacid NSAID with relatively favorable GI tolerability among nonselective NSAIDs; Arcoxia is COX‑2 selective with good GI tolerability but potentially higher blood pressure and cardiovascular concerns—patient comorbidities drive the decision.
Topical NSAIDs deliver pain relief to the site with minimal systemic exposure and lower GI, kidney, and cardiovascular risks; for localized osteoarthritis or soft‑tissue pain, topical agents are often preferred before systemic options like Arcoxia.
Both lose some GI advantage when combined with aspirin; celecoxib has more data in aspirin users, but either may require a proton pump inhibitor to reduce ulcer risk—discuss gastroprotection if you need aspirin plus a COX‑2 inhibitor.
