Etoricoxib 90 mg is typically prescribed for:

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis

Gouty arthritis

Acute pain, including dental and post-operative pain

Chronic low back pain

It may also be used off-label for

other inflammatory or pain conditions under medical supervision.

Etoricoxib selectively blocks the COX-2 enzyme, which is involved in:

Inflammation

Pain

Fever

It spares COX-1, which helps protect the stomach lining and maintain platelet function, potentially resulting in fewer gastric ulcers or bleeding compared to non-selective NSAIDs.

Typical Adult Dose: Osteoarthritis: 30–60 mg once daily

Rheumatoid arthritis or Ankylosing spondylitis: 90 mg once daily

Acute Gouty Arthritis: 120 mg once daily (short-term use, max 8 days)

90 mg is usually used for moderate to severe inflammation or pain, especially in arthritis or spondylitis

Onset: Within 1 hour

Peak Effect: 1–2 hours after oral administration

Duration: Up to 24 hours

Common:

Headache

Dizziness

Indigestion

High blood pressure

Peripheral edema (swelling in the legs/ankles)

Less common/serious:

Cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke)

Liver enzyme elevation

Renal impairment

Severe allergic reactions

Gastritis or ulcers (rare but possible)

Precautions & Warnings

Cardiovascular risk: Higher doses or long-term use can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke Kidney/liver dysfunction: Use with caution

Hypertension: May worsen high blood pressure

Pregnancy: Not recommended, especially in the third trimester Breastfeeding: Not advised without medical supervision

Contraindications

Do not use Etoricoxib if:

You have active gastric ulcers or bleeding

You have a history of cardiovascular disease

You have severe hepatic or renal impairment

You are allergic to etoricoxib or other COX-2 inhibitors

Drug Interactions

Can interact with:

Warfarin (increased bleeding risk)

ACE inhibitors/ARBs (increased risk of kidney dysfunction)

Diuretics (reduced effectiveness and kidney risk)

Lithium (increased lithium levels)

Other NSAIDs (increased risk of GI and cardiovascular side effects)

Monitoring

Blood pressure (especially in hypertensive patients)

Kidney and liver function (with long-term use)

Signs of GI bleeding or cardiovascular events

Advantages vs. Traditional NSAIDs

Lower risk of gastric ulcers and bleeding

Once-daily dosing

Good for long-term arthritis management in select patients

Disadvantages

Higher cost

Increased cardiovascular risk compared to non-selective NSAIDs

Not suitable for patients with heart disease

Storage

Store at room temperature (15–30°C), away from moisture and heat:

Keep out of reach of children

Important Notes

Use lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration

Not for use as a first-line analgesic in general pain or fever

Always take under medical advice