Arcoxia 90mg

introduction

The drug Arcoxia® with the active ingredient etoricoxib is a selective inhibitor of the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2, which belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Cyclooxygenase is involved in many metabolic processes in the body. Cyclooxygenase 2 alone occurs in some tissues and organs. Through phagocytes (Macrophages) the cyclooxygenase mediates an increase in fever. Cyclooxygenase, or COX-2 for short, is often found in tissues that are inflamed. This also includes developing (proliferating) Blood vessels or atherosclerotic changes. The COX-2 was also found in a large number of tumor cells.

In summary, one can say that the COX-2 is involved in inflammatory processes and the development of fever. The COX-2 also plays an important role in the spinal cord in processing pain.

application areas

The active ingredient etoricoxib is used to treat swelling and pain from joint diseases due to its specificity for cyclooxygenase 2, which means that it only works on this enzyme.
It is understood as inflammatory rheumatic diseases or degenerative diseases, which are caused by wear and tear. For example, the arthrosis, further areas of application are Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or acute gout flare-ups. Occasionally, Arcoxia® also used to treat pain after dental surgery. Arcoxia® relieves the pain and helps to contain the inflammatory process and reduces the swelling.

The medicine should not be taken if you have allergies to the active ingredient etoricoxib or any of the other ingredients of Arcoxia® are known. Even if allergies to other non-steroidal rheumatics (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or Ibuprofen known should COX-2 inhibitors including Arcoxia® not be taken.
Other contraindications from Arcoxia® are serious diseases of the liver and kidneys, damage or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract or chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease or Ulcerative colitis.

Already one in patients with heart disease Heart attack or stroke had or on high blood pressure Arcoxia may suffer® should not be used easily as it increases the risk of further incidents.

effect

The active substance etoricoxib that is found in Arcoxia® is contained, inhibits cyclooxygenase 2, which is involved in pathological processes such as tissue damage or inflammation. The COX-2 is essential for the formation of messenger substances, the so-called prostaglandins.

Special prostaglandins that are expressed by COX-2 are present in the kidney, stomach, brain and in the womb. The kidney is properly supplied with blood and its function is maintained by the prostaglandins. Furthermore, the prostaglandins are physiologically essential for our memory and attention. In the uterus, too, this function is essential for the implantation of the fetus and later for labor.
But prostaglandins also have a pathological function caused by pollutants or diseases. These include the mediation of inflammation, fever, Pain and the formation of tumors. So if the COX-2 through Arcoxia® is inhibited, no prostaglandins can be formed.
This is how Arcoxia works® from: Inflammation are suppressed, the Fever becomes lowered and the Relieved pain. However, it also happens that the desired function of prostaglandins is suppressed and side effects are caused as a result.

dosage

Arcoxia® is not a drug that should be taken in children or adolescents or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can start therapy with Arcoxia® only from the age of 16 years.
It is important that the drug is not overdosed. For pain management, only such a low dose should be taken that the pain is relieved. In addition, the drug should not be taken longer than necessary, as the risk of a stroke or heart attack increases with the duration of treatment.
The specific dosage depends on the illness associated with taking Arcoxia® should be treated. For the therapy of arthrosis 30mg etoricoxib is recommended once a day, which corresponds to 1/3 of Arcoxia® 90mg. In the rheumatoid arthritis the dose is 90mg once a day, so one Arcoxia® 90mg to be taken. Also at Pain after dental surgery and ankylosing spondylitis a dose of 90mg is recommended.

On the other hand, the dose is higher for acute pain during a Gout flare-ups. In this case, 120mg of the active ingredient etoricoxib can be taken, but only as long as the symptoms are acute. After a maximum of 8 days, the therapy should be stopped with 120mg and switched to a normal dosage.
In patients with liver damage, the dose should be cautious and the dose adjusted to the extent of the damage.

Read more information under our topic Dosing of Arcoxia®

Side effects

In general, the coxibs (inhibitors of COX-2) are better tolerated compared to their relatives, the inhibitors of COX-1 such as ibuprofen, because they have fewer side effects. As a general rule, consult a pharmacist or doctor in case of side effects should be. For example, the damage to the gastrointestinal tract is significantly less when taking COX-2 than with COX-1 inhibitors.
In general, as with all other drugs, intolerance or allergic reactions can occur when taking Arcoxia® come. In this case, therapy should be interrupted and a new drug selected in consultation with the doctor.

Another relevant side effect profile from Arcoxia® are the side effects on the cardiovascular system. Patients with mild to advanced disease are at greatest risk Heart failurebecause of the effects of Arcoxia® there is more fluid available at the kidneys and so the heart is more stressed.
In addition, the inhibition of COX-2 increases the risk of narrowing of the prostaglandins by reducing the number of prostaglandins Coronary arteries and the formation of blood clots (Thrombi) that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Side effects on the skin

Side effects of Arcoxia®that manifest themselves on the skin can be an expression of damage to internal organs or the result of an allergic reaction. Arcoxia often causes bleeding into the skin®.
Furthermore, allergic reactions manifest themselves in the form of itching or rashes on the skin. But it can also lead to swelling in the face and neck area, which can lead to breathing and swallowing difficulties and should then be treated urgently.
The skin can also show swellings in other parts of the body, especially in the periphery (arms, legs, hands, feet) the swellings indicate side effects caused by the kidneys. Because then not enough fluid is excreted and the body stores this fluid in the tissue (one speaks of Edema) in order to compensate for the increased fluid volume due to excessive demands.
Aside from kidney side effects, liver side effects can also be detected on the skin. In the case of dramatic side effects or damage to the liver, the skin and eyes may turn yellow (Jaundice). If such discoloration is observed, urgent medical attention should be given to have the liver checked.

Liver side effects

Side effects on the liver are first noticed during laboratory tests, as the laboratory parameters of the liver change. Yellowing of the skin and eyes, the so-called yellowing, is rare Jaundice. Arcoxia® can aggravate or cause liver damage if not used individually.

Side effects on the kidney

Arcoxia® inhibits COX-2, which fulfills important functions in the kidney.
The metabolic products of COX-2, the prostaglandins, increase blood flow and the filtration rate of the kidneys, as well as urine excretion and the release of the hormone renin. The latter is important for regulating the fluid balance and regulating blood pressure.
Therefore, there is a risk that Arcoxia® the kidneys can no longer properly filter all of the blood and fluid to be eliminated. Not enough fluid is excreted and the excess fluid is distributed in the blood and as tissue deposits.
As a result, fluid accumulates in the legs, and the heart has to cope with less blood, which can be very harmful, especially for a patient with an existing cardiac insufficiency.

In addition, changes in the excretion of the kidneys can cause potassium to accumulate in the body and lead to increased potassium levels in the blood (Hyperkalemia) leads. This Hyperkalemia can to Cardiac arrhythmias (arrhythmia) to lead.

That's why Arcoxia® no longer used for severe kidney damage become. Generally, in old age, should impaired kidney function and a friend Diabetes mellitus special caution apply.

Arcoxia 90 mg and alcohol

In principle is Alcohol consumption not recommended as long as you take medication, because the breakdown of alcohol stresses the liver, which is also responsible for the breakdown of drugs such as Arcoxia® is needed. Therefore, taking it at the same time often leads to liver damage in the long term.
It is common knowledge that alcohol is incompatible with NSAID pain relievers. Their side effects can be caused or intensified. While taking Arcoxia® alcohol consumption should be stopped.

Arcoxia 90mg in pregnancy

For Arcoxia® 90 and other active ingredients that inhibit cyclooxygenase 2 should not be taken by women trying to become pregnant, as the implantation of possible germ cells and their supply could be disturbed.
Also Arcoxia® 90 should not be used during pregnancy become. There are no studies on the specific risk potential of Arcoxia® 90 for humans during pregnancy, but animal experiments have shown that Arcoxia and the active ingredient etoricoxib can be toxic.
In the dosage of Arcoxia® 90 (90mg) no effects on the fetus or the embryo were observed, but the survival rate of the unborn babies decreased.
Arcoxia applies to pregnant women® should not be taken as the risk potential is not known. Arcoxia could be especially in the last trimester of pregnancy® lead to weak contractions and premature closure of the ductus arteriosus botalli. Arcoxia® potentially harmful to the baby, so women are not allowed to use Arcoxia® take when breastfeeding.