etoricoxib (Arcoxia)

following a full submission:

etoricoxib (Arcoxia) is recommended for use within NHS Scotland.

Its use should be in accordance with guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for COX-2 selective NSAIDs in the treatment of OA & RA.

RECOMMENDATION

Etoricoxib is effective in the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is also effective in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis. It should be used for patients at high risk of gastro-intestinal adverse-effects to non-selective NSAIDs. In common with other COX-2 selective NSAIDs, etoricoxib is associated with less gastrointestinal adverse-effects than non-selective NSAIDs, but the relative risks of cardiovascular events in such patients are unclear. There is no evidence that etoricoxib has advantages or disadvantages compared with other COX-2 selective NSAIDs.