Etoricoxib?

[Peacox]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has experience of Etoricoxib? I have a new / stand in consultant rheumatologist who has prescribed this for me. I’m supposed to take one a day (60mg) but everything I’ve read suggests this isn’t right & that it’s to be taken when needed & not consistently — I’ve not SEEN anyone from the hospital for two years and I will be starting MTX injections next week (only on hydroxy at the mo) and the instructions in the box say Etoricoxib shouldn’t be taken with MTX! I’m really confused & not sure what to do. It’s all a bit scary tbh. Anyone have any experience? Thank you x

[Kags1068]

Hi Peacox

I'm sorry to hear this is causing you extra worry. As if we don't have enough to be thinking about!

I take Etoricoxib at 90mg daily. I take it every day. I've been taking it for just over a year. Prior to that I took Meloxicam (another NSAID) 15mg daily for 20 years. I've had JIA/RA for 39 years (since aged 14) and have always taken some kind of NSAID daily. Pre-biologics and MTX there weren't many treatment options, so daily NSAIDs used to be prescribed fairly routinely.

I've always found NSAIDs to be very helpful, although like everything, they don't work for everyone. They can be used daily or as and when required - if your doc says daily at the moment, then that's fine. If MTX is being added, then I'm guessing Hydroxy isn't quite doing the trick? If you read the contraindications, yes, it will say not to take Etoricoxib alongside MTX. Ideally, we wouldn't. Unfortunately things are less than ideal for us and we do get prescribed various things that "ideally" wouldn't go together. I take the Etoricoxob alongside Humira, Prednisolone, MTX, Cyclosporin and Hydroxychloroquine. A number of these can clash, but I've been fine. The thing I always tell myself is that we have regular blood tests, and are monitored closely so things can be quickly dealt with.

Once you do start MTX, and it starts to take effect, you may (after taking your doc's advice) be able to use the Etoricoxib as and when needed, rather than daily. Sometimes people need things like Omeprazole to give their tummy extra protection when taking NSAIDs. Don't know if that was mentioned? Also, try and take it after eating, or at the very least with some milk to line the tummy.

I hope all this re-assures you a little, and they work well for you. Best wishes x😊

[Peacox in reply to Kags1068]

Thank you SO much for such a detailed and caring answer. I really appreciate it. Yes, the Hydroxy hasn’t been working for about two years but due to the Covid situation I havent been able to get it sorted (such a long story). So I’ve gone a bit down hill.

This is indeed very reassuring. I’m so grateful to you. X

[Kags1068 in reply to Peacox]

You are most welcome. I'm just glad it was of some help to you.

I'm sorry you've had to struggle for so long and been unable to get anything sorted. Covid certainly has a lot to answer for!

Good luck with the MTX. I hope it does the trick for you 🤞😊X

[Barrister]

I take Etoricoxib 90 mg only when I need it - that is usually for a few days until the pain settles and then I stop again. Mainly because it gives me a horrid taste in my mouth - only for drinks (makes them taste metallic).

[Lolabridge]

For RA pain relief I understand 60mg daily Etoricoxib is usual. As the MTX gets to work the frequency of Etoricoxib may be reduced.

[Peacox in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

I’ve have taken etoricoxib in the past as I can’t take ibuprofen or naproxen. My Gp won’t prescribe it now nor my rheumatologist. I wish they would. I had no problems with it.

[Peacox in reply to Hidden]

That's very interesting. Do you mind my asking why they won't prescribe it for you? It seems a shame, if it works so well.

[Hidden in reply to Peacox]

They said they can longer prescribe it 🤷‍♀️I think it’s a black box medication.(think that’s the term he used) so they can’t prescribe. There are people on this site you use it but my Gp or rheumatologist won’t prescribe.

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

So annoying….the warnings are there for guidance and to make sure medical teams monitor people on these drugs carefully. They are not there to say these drugs must never, ever be used!!

I was prescribed Etoricoxib for years alongside MTX. Originally at 90mg/day and then guidance changed to dosage of 60mg reducing risks. My rheumy knows well that in an ideal world you don’t prescribe it with MTX, but when you have RA you don’t live in an ideal world and compromises have to be made.

I then got to the happy place where I didn’t need it all the time, but would just take it in 5 day bursts to calm things down. It worked bery well for me.

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Feels like your chasing your tail these days medically nothing is easy .

[lupus_01]

I have taken etoricoxib for at least 20 years.I swing between 90 and 60mg depending on how bad I feel. I was offered mtx but decided to stick to hot water bottles, exercise and etoricoxib. In the warmer months I find I don't need to take everyday so only if I am really achy. Make sure you always take with food.

[Flipper12345yellow]

Morning, I had exactly the same worries when reading up on taking with methx and how often.Doc assured me it was OK to take with methx and to take it daily.

I did so for over a year, no problem but then saw a pain management doc and he said if you're still in such pain they are not working and did I know how bad the risks of side effects were.

I stopped straight away but it just shows its which doc you get as to what advice / drugs you are given.

[lolacat]

I've taken etoricoxib 90mg daily for several years now. But don't take anything else for RA though plenty of other drugs incl painkillers for other conditions. Re why don't GPS prescribe I remember my hip surgeon saying to me that he thought it was the best anti-inflammatory around, but not normally prescribed because more expensive than others.

[dippyd09]

Hello, I’ve been taking Etoricoxib for around 6/7 years but could be longer. I initially started on 90mgs daily then went to 60 mgs which keeps me on an even keel. It was never suggested that I only take when necessary as to be honest I’m not sure I could do without it. I also take 25mgs methotrexate/ sulphasalazine/hydroxy. I really hope you can get your medication sorted and that you get some relief longer term. Take care.

[Peacox in reply to dippyd09]

Thank you! x

[Garnacha]

Hi I'm on 90mg of etoricoxib per day, it was the first drug I had in January 2020, in March that year I was also put on hydroxy 200mg per day as I was still in so much pain, then lockdown happened, in April I stopped taking the etoricoxib as I didn't think it helped, within a few days the pain got so much worse, it was then I realised it did help, November 2020 I was also prescribed methotrexate which was slowly increased to 20 mg per week, March 2021 10mg lefluminode was added increasing to 20mg in September last year, (I'm now on 15mg due to peripheral neuropathy)

My consultant asked me once on whether I thought etoricoxib was helping, & when I explained what happened when I stopped it said OK thats fine, on my repeat prescription it always says one to be taken daily as per consultant- try not to use daily, only when needed, I've never had any problems & obviously have regular blood tests.

Hope this helps reassure you x

[Peacox in reply to Garnacha]

It does. Thank you so much x

[Angels54]

Hi I take Etroivoxib 90 mg , I have taken it for about 4 yrs which I take on a night when I go to bed , when my RA is more settled I stop it , it does help my pain , I did take it with MTX .

[Brychni]

Hi - I was prescribed it when my shoulder was really bad and it did nothing. However, my shoulder was actually adhesive capsulitis and not much touches the pain. I've had the pills knocking about in my apothecary (!) drawer along with other drugs that didn't work or were intolerable, but recently reached for them again and was surprised how well they worked for other aches and pains. As I type, I have bad hands, wrists, feet and ankles. I never get much visible swelling. I like the fact that you don't have to take them all the time and that they do bring some immediate relief.Hope that helps.

[Merryroundabout]

I was prescribed 90mg Etoricoxib in 2014, and my rheumy let me drop to 60mg from 2017 because of swollen ankles, tummy pain (even with Omeprazole) and effect on asthma. I only take it if I have a flare of my PSA and then only for 3days max, it’s the k my thing that’s worked. I’ve just seen a new rheumy (first review since 2017) because i’ve had new flares of pain in both knees, lower back and bowel plus just one swollen foot leg and knee. He’s looked at my spine on the CT I had for bowel and he’s said that’s all excellent but keep taking the Etoricoxib regularly to reduce pain so I can exercise and strengthen my muscles . (I’ve had tests to exclude DVT and a private ultrasound to check kidneys abdo and ovaries so it seems the only likely cause for swelling and pain is mechanics or general RA inflammation). My GP has just prescribed me some Meloxicam to try, as that is less likely to make my swollen ankle worse. I’m still not happy to take it every day, because 1) I don’t want to take Omeprazole daily as it’ll interfere with nutrition, my mum is now on B12 and had spinal fractures despite being on Denosumab, (I’ve got Osteoporosis too and on Risedronate) and 2) the effect on my asthma, which is currently on fortnightly nurse review since Covid affected it. I’m fortunate that all my symptoms for these are relatively mild and with the meds and a bit of sensible care I can carry on with normal life, it’s just that a lot of things have hit me at the same time and the medication for one will worsen another.

[dippyd09]

Hello, I have been taking Eterocoxib for around 10 years. I started on 90mgs a day which was cut to 60 mgs after about 5 years. I take it every day. I haven’t experienced any problems with it. I also take sulphasalazine/ 25mgs methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine. I really hope it settles for you as I have found it very good. Take care.