Side effects of Arcoxia
definition
Arcoxia® is a medicine used to treat symptoms of irritation to the joints and inflammatory joint diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The active substance in this drug is a molecule called etoricoxib.
Arcoxia® belongs to the main group of so-called cyclooxygenase inhibitors (COX-2 inhibitors), i.e. lowerers of prostaglandin synthesis, which have an inhibiting effect on inflammatory processes within the body.
Side effects of Arcoxia
While taking Arcoxia® or other medicines containing etoricoxib, patients reported a number of side effects or complications. In some cases, problems occurred in the upper under drug use Gastrointestinal tract on. Among other things, irritation, inflammation, bleeding and / or perforation occurred (Tears). The risk related to such side effects Gastrointestinal tract to develop increases with simultaneous use of acetylsalicylic acid-containing drugs (for example, aspirin).
Also on des Cardiovascular system the use of Arcoxia® can have negative effects. In some patients the risk became one thrombosis to develop enormously increased, it happened often to Heart attacks and Strokes, for which a connection with the use of Arcoxia® cannot be excluded. For this reason, the need to take etoricoxib-containing medicines in patients who are responsible for the development of high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are hereditary must be weighed carefully.
Arcoxia® and other inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis trigger fluid retention and thereby high blood pressure in some patients.
In elderly patients or people who have Kidneys-, liver or Heart failure this medicine should only be used when absolutely necessary and under close medical supervision, as existing problems may worsen while taking it.
It is also often used over Dizziness, a headache and stomach pain such as Feeling weak and fatigue reported.
The occasional occurrence Side effects one is the susceptibility to infections in the upper respiratory tract and / or urinary tract.
Besides, it can too Anemia (caused by gastrointestinal bleeding) and a lack of white blood cells come. Some patients report while taking Arcoxia® problems such as unwanted weight gain, taste disorders, Difficulty concentrating, insomnia and more nervous Over- or Insensitivity, to real ones depressions.
The use of Arcoxia® can also have negative effects on the muscles, because side effects such as Muscle spasms, Muscle aches and Muscle stiffness are possible.
In addition to the side effects and counter-signs already mentioned (Contraindications) it can in rare cases become serious in the course of taking Arcoxia® Skin reactions and a sodium deficiency.
The very rare side effects include hypersensitivity reactions in the sense of allergic reactions and Shock.
Confusion and delusions were also reported in a few cases.
Side effects on the skin
Side effects that affect the skin, such as itching, rash and redness, occur with many medications if the ingredients are not tolerated.
This allergic reactions can be so strong that it leads to allergic shock (anaphylactic shock) and in the worst case it can lead to cardiovascular failure.
The active ingredient of Arcoxia®, Etoricoxib, does not have a very strong effect on blood coagulation, but extensive bleeding into the skin is quite possible as an undesirable effect.
Less common skin-related side effects are Facial flushing or Facial swelling. However, they are one of the extremely rare side effects. Another undesirable effect that occurs much more frequently when taking Arcoxia® are those already mentioned Edema, i.e. water retention in the tissue. Edema is common on the legs, but it can also appear on the trunk.
Liver side effects
Arcoxia® is broken down through the kidneys, but liver damage also occurs, especially with long-term treatments.
Such side effects are noticeable through increased values of the Liver enzymes AST and OLD.
AST stands for aspartate aminotransferase, ALT for alanine aminotransferase. Both enzymes are not only active in the liver, but also in many other places in the body. They are found in large numbers in cells in the liver.
An increase in both values suggests liver damage. The ALT is located in the liver cells in the cytosol, the cell water, and is therefore only separated from the "outside world" by the cell membrane. AST, on the other hand, occurs within the cells also in the mitochondria. Since mitochondria are also surrounded by a membrane, it takes more serious cell damage to release the AST. By calculating the quotient of AST and ALT, conclusions can be drawn about the extent of the liver damage.
If signs of liver damage occur while using Arcoxia, a liver enzyme test is appropriate. One symptom that indicates liver damage is, for example Jaundice (Jaundice). The skin and the mucous membranes of the eyes (sclera) turn yellow. Pain in the upper right abdomenTiredness and listlessness as well as muscle pain are very unspecific symptoms, but if the liver values are elevated they also allow conclusions to be drawn about impaired liver function.
Side effects on the kidney
Of the Dismantling from Arcoxia® takes place in the kidney instead of. Patients with kidney failure should therefore be closely monitored while taking Arcoxia.
The same applies to patients with heart failure. A heart with insufficient pumping capacity can ultimately limit kidney function. The function of the kidney can e.g. controlled by laboratory values to ensure that proper elimination and functionality in general is present.
Weight gain as a side effect
Are taking Arcoxia® Changes in appetite as well as the Eating habits possible. This can lead to weight gain.
The increased occurrence of edema during treatment with Arcoxia® can also lead to an increase in weight, this is due to the increased storage of fluid in the tissue.
Contraindications to Arcoxia
At certain pre-existing conditionsn should be Arcoxia® in no case be used because these symptoms can be adversely affected by long-term use.
These contraindications include known hypersensitivity to the actual active ingredient or other components of the drug.
In addition, already established side effects and hypersensitivities contradict the use of Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) an application of Arcoxia®.
It should also be administered to patients with Gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, high blood pressure (hypertension) and / or a known Heart failure be avoided. Arcoxia® must never be used during pregnancy and the subsequent breastfeeding period.
A Ingestion this medicine should generally not be used in children and adolescents under 16 years of age.
