Riocox 90 Tablet belongs to a group of medications called ‘non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat pain, swelling and inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and gout in people greater than 16 years of age. Besides this, it is also used to treat moderate pain after dental surgery. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone disease in which the tissue supporting the joints wears down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which the immune system attacks its tissue leading to joint pain and inflammation. Ankylosing spondylitis is the inflammation of the spine and large joints. Gout is characterized by pain and inflammation in the joints due to the deposition of uric acid crystals.

Riocox 90 Tablet contains ‘etoricoxib’, which works by blocking the release of a chemical messenger called prostaglandin, produced by COX-2, which is responsible for pain, swelling and inflammation. Riocox 90 Tablet acts at the affected area and acts specifically at the pain site. The benefit of COX-2 inhibitors is that they protect the stomach lining from the ulcer effect caused by other painkillers, ibuprofen and aspirin.

Riocox 90 Tablet is available in tablet form and injection. Take an oral form of Riocox 90 Tablet as advised by your doctor. A healthcare professional will give the injection form of Riocox 90 Tablet, do not self-administer. Common side-effects of Riocox 90 Tablet are stomach pain, dry socket, swelling of the legs, dizziness, headache, palpitations (pounding heart), increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, constipation, flatulence, gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), heartburn, diarrhoea, indigestion (dyspepsia), nausea, vomiting, inflammation of the oesophagus (food pipe), mouth ulcers, general weakness and flu-like illness (fever, cold, cough, or sore throat).

Do not take Riocox 90 Tablet if you are allergic to etoricoxib, other pain killers or other ingredients. Inform your doctor if you have ulcers or bleeding in your stomach, severe liver and/or kidney impairment, colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), uncontrolled blood pressure, or heart problems such as chest pain, heart attack or heart failure and stroke. Do not take it if you are under 16 years of age, pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you are dehydrated (because of vomiting or diarrhoea), have oedema (swelling due to fluid retention), have an infection, diabetes (high blood sugar) and high cholesterol, are a smoker or have an age above 65 years.

Riocox 90 Tablet contains ‘etoricoxib’ which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It acts as both analgesic (reduces pain) and an anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation) agent. It is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. COX-2 enzymes are responsible for converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandins which are inflammatory mediators. The blocking of COX-2 reduces the production of prostaglandins, eventually decreasing pain and inflammation.

• Stomach pain
• Dry socket (severe pain after tooth extraction)
• Swelling of the legs or feet due to fluid retention (oedema)
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Palpitations (pounding heart)
• Increased blood pressure
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Constipation
• Flatulence
• Gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach)
• Heartburn
• Diarrhoea
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Vomiting (being sick)
• Inflammation of the oesophagus (food pipe)
• Mouth ulcers
• Changes in blood tests related to your liver
• Weakness
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Flu-like illness (fever, cold, cough, or sore throat)

Before taking Riocox 90 Tablet, inform your doctor if you have a history of stomach bleeding or ulcer, liver or kidney diseases, dehydration because of prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea and swelling due to fluid retention. Inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure that is not treated or controlled, as Riocox 90 Tablet may increase blood pressure in some cases. Do not take Riocox 90 Tablet if you are treated for infection, as Riocox 90 Tablet can mask fever (a sign of disease). Do not take Riocox 90 Tablet if you smoke, have diabetes (high blood sugar), or high cholesterol, as Riocox 90 Tablet increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Avoid lying down for at least half an hour after using Riocox 90 Tablet. People who have had heart attacks and strokes should not take Riocox 90 Tablet.

Drug-Drug interactions: Riocox 90 Tablet may interact with anticoagulant (warfarin and aspirin), antibiotic (rifampicin), immunosuppressant (methotrexate), antihypertensives (enalapril, ramipril, losartan, valsartan, and minoxidil), diuretics, antiarrhythmic drug (digoxin), antiasthmatic drug (salbutamol) and oral contraceptives.

Drug-Food interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease interactions: Riocox 90 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with stomach ulcers or bleeding, severe kidney disease, liver diseases, colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), uncontrolled blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and other heart problems.

• WARFARIN
• ASPIRIN
• RIFAMPICIN
• METHOTREXATE
• ENALAPRIL
• RAMIPRIL
• LOSARTAN
• VALSARTAN
• MINOXIDIL
• DIGOXIN
• SALBUTAMOL

• Consume a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Limit foods high in sugar content.
• Do not take spicy, fried and processed foods.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. 
• Quit smoking.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.

• Your doctor may monitor liver and kidney function if Riocox 90 Tablet is prescribed for the long term. 
• Inform your doctor before taking the Riocox 90 Tablet if you had a history of a heart attack, bypass surgery or peripheral arterial disease.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the common type of arthritis in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones erodes due to wear and tear over time. Common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune cells attack the joints and cause bone erosion leading to severe pain and swelling. It may lead to joint deformity if left untreated.

Ankylosing spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis in which inflammation is seen in the spine and large joints. It leads to pain and stiffness in the back and affected joints.

Gout: Gout is an inflammatory condition in which uric acid deposits and crystallizes in the joints. It is characterized by acute, severe and recurring attacks of pain, especially at night; redness and swelling in the affected joints.