Dosage of Arcoxia

Arcoxia® is a drug that belongs to the group of antirheumatic drugs. It is used to relieve pain and swelling in the muscles and affected joints in the course of inflammatory and/or rheumatic diseases (arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis). The active ingredient of Arcoxia® is a drug called etoricoxib, which belongs to the class of cyclooxigenase (COX) inhibitors.

The novel feature of precisely this active ingredient is that it can selectively inhibit only one of the two cyclooxigenases present in the organism (COX-2 only), while type 1 cyclooxigenase remains unaffected. This inhibition of COX-2 in turn has a throttling effect on the synthesis of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are so-called tissue hormones that control a variety of signalling processes in the body and in this way, among other things, mediate the perception of pain.

Arcoxia® should never be used in the case of certain pre-existing conditions, as the symptoms can be adversely affected by long-term use. Antirheumatic drugs in general and Arcoxia® preparations in particular should always be taken and dosed exactly according to the instructions of the treating physician. If you have any questions regarding the use, possible side effects or concerns, you should seek the advice of this doctor or a pharmacist as soon as possible.

As a general rule, Arcoxia® or other medicines containing etoricoxib should not be taken by children or adolescents under 16 years of age. Arcoxia® should also not be used during pregnancy and the subsequent breastfeeding period. The drug dose to be taken must be determined by the treating physician depending on the extent of the disease in the respective patient; an independent increase in the daily dose can have serious consequences.

In addition, the drug dosage and the success of the treatment should be discussed with the doctor in regular, close monitoring appointments. It is important to always take the lowest possible concentration of the active substance that is sufficient to relieve pain, because the probability of serious side effects and possible complications increases with the dosage level. It is also advisable to keep the duration of use as short as possible.

Arcoxia® can basically be taken in four possible dosages, as 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg or 120 mg tablet. If necessary and after consulting a doctor, a high-dose tablet can be taken within 24 hours. As already mentioned, the daily drug dosage depends on the type and severity of the underlying disease and the limitations (e.g. pain) it causes.

For rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disease of the joints, the recommended daily dose is approximately 90 mg. Under no circumstances should more than this amount be taken per day without consulting the treating doctor. If a patient suffers from ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis), a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease with pain and stiffening of the affected joints, the maximum daily dose in these cases is also approximately 90 mg.

In the case of non-chronic, rather acute complaints, Arcoxia® may only be taken as long as the pain is perceived by the patient as strongly limiting. In gouty arthritis, where uric acid crystal deposits occur in the affected joints, a dose of up to 120 mg can be taken within 24 hours during an acute attack. In such cases, however, the duration of use should never exceed 7 to 8 days.

Arcoxia® is increasingly used in dentistry, and is prescribed as a painkiller after extensive dental surgery. The recommended maximum daily dose in this area of application is also approximately 90 mg and the treatment period should not exceed 3 days.