Molecule

Drug Groups

approved; investigational

Description

Etoricoxib is a new COX-2 selective inhibitor. Current therapeutic indications are: treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic low back pain, acute pain and gout. Like any other COX-2 selective inhibitor, Etoricoxib selectively inhibits isoform 2 of cyclo-oxigenase enzyme (COX-2). This reduces the generation of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid.

Indication

For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic low back pain, acute pain and gout.

Pharmacology

Etoricoxib is a COX-2 selective inhibitor (approximately 106 times more selective for COX-2 inhibition over COX-1). Currently it is approved in more than 60 countries worldwide but not in the US, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require additional safety and efficacy data for etoricoxib before it will issue approval.

Toxicity

This reduced activity is the cause of reduced gastrointestinal toxicity, as demonstrated in several large clinical trials performed with different COXIB (see below links on NEJM and The Lancet). Some clinical trials and meta-analysis showed that treatment with COXIB lead to increased incidence of cardiovascular adverse events compared to placebo

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic, primarily via CYP3A4.

Absorption

Bioavailability is 100% following oral administration.

Half Life

22 hours

Protein Binding

92%

External Links