Etoricoxib

Dano and I were discussing Etoricoxib(aka Arcoxia) and its efficacy for her and myself. It worked wonders for her, but peanuts for me. But thank goodness for that. Because if not, i would have been relying on a drug that might yet add on to the side effects that i can die of trying to control my disease.

Arcoxia, has NOT been approved by USA's FDA. Its predecessor is Vioxx, also by Merck, was completely withdrawn. Another one, Bextra was also completely withdrawn. These 3 drugs come under the group of Cox-2 inhibitors, aka Coxibs. Yes it's a better alternative to NSAIDS because of it has lesser gastrointestinal ill effects. But why! It increases the risk of myocardial infarction(aka heart attack) and cerebrovascular accident(aka stroke). Hmm. That was in comparison between Vioxx and Naproxen(nsaid). It was quite a great deal of differnce. 60%-70% higher risk. Wow.

So apparently USA's FDA has not approved of Arcoxia because Merck did study trials comparing Diclofenac(Voltaren, another nsaid) to Arcoxia, just because Diclofenac is the most commonly prescribed nsaid. However, comparing it to Diclofenac would be akin to comparing Arcoxia to a low dosage of Vioxx.

WHAT THE HELL? They think we are a brainless bunch no? And since they cannot market it in USA, they are marketing it everywhere else other than USA. Thanks ah Merck.

I don't know how i could miss this till now, cos' i always read up on any of my prescribed medications before i commit to them. So that means the last time i checked was like eons ago. 2007? Sigh.


I should suggest to my doc to change to Celebrex huh. But i have so much of Arcoxia stashed at home and they are NOT cheap! Almost $2 each pill, and i have like what. 100+ of them.

Good job Steph. 0.o