Rofecoxib
About
Rofecoxib belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID), which treat pain and inflammation in various conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, primary dysmenorrhea, and migraine attacks.
Rofecoxib contains Rofecoxib, which works by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2, responsible for causing pain and inflammation. Thus, it provides relief from pain and inflammation.
Take Rofecoxib as prescribed. You are advised to use it for as long as your doctor has recommended it based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience common side effects, such as headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, heartburn, stomach pain and respiratory infections. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Do not take Rofecoxib if you are allergic to any ingredient. Before taking Rofecoxib, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have asthma or urticaria (skin rash). Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Do not take any other medications with Rofecoxib unless recommended by the doctor. Rofecoxib is not recommended for children below the age of 18 years as the safety and efficacy have not been investigated. Driving and operating machinery should be avoided until you have fully recovered, as Rofecoxib may cause fatigue.
Uses of Rofecoxib
Medicinal Benefits
Rofecoxib contains Rofecoxib, which works by inhibiting the synthesis of certain chemical messengers responsible for causing pain and inflammation. Thus, Rofecoxib helps relieve pain and inflammation caused by various conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, primary dysmenorrhea, and migraine attacks.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Rofecoxib
- Respiratory infections
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of the legs and/or feet
- High blood pressure
- Back pain
- Tiredness
- Urinary tract infection
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Rofecoxib is not recommended for patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Rofecoxib or any other component of Rofecoxib. Patients with asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs should not be used. There are no studies on pregnant women. Rofecoxib should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the medicine, considering the importance of the drug to the mother.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Rofecoxib may have interaction with medicines used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (e.g. Adefovir, Tenofovir), medicines used to treat eye swelling and redness (e.g. Bromfenac), anti-viral medication (e.g. Cidofovir), painkillers (e.g. Diclofenac, Fenoprofen, Ketoprofen, mefenamic acid), antifungal medicine (e.g. Ketoconazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Rofecoxib may interact with various disease conditions, including asthma, urticaria, severe liver or kidney impairment and heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol is not recommended while on treatment with Rofecoxib.
Pregnancy
cautionRofecoxib should be avoided in late pregnancy since it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, considering the importance of the drug to the mother. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionDriving and operating machinery should be avoided until you feel fully rested because Rofecoxib may cause fatigue.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Rofecoxib if you have a history of liver problems or pre-existing mild to moderate liver disease. It is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Rofecoxib if you have/had a kidney impairment/disorder history. It is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney disease. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeRofecoxib is not recommended for children below the age of 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy body weight because obesity can lead to joint pain. Please avoid strenuous exercise as it may aggravate your arthritis-related joint pain. Instead, you can stretch and engage in low-impact aerobic exercises such as treadmill walking, biking, and swimming. Lifting light weights can also help to improve your muscle strength.
- Increase your intake of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, vitamin D, and calcium-rich supplements. Aside from that, turmeric and fish oils can help to reduce tissue inflammation.
- Include fish such as salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines in your diet if you have arthritis or joint pain. These fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in reducing inflammation (redness and swelling) and protecting the heart.
- Your sitting posture is critical, especially if you suffer from pain or inflammation. Try to sit as little as possible and only for a short period of time (10-15 min). Place a rolled-up towel at the back of your curve to alleviate pain. In addition, if necessary, a footrest can be used.
- Follow heat or cold therapy by applying a cold or hot compress to the joints on a regular basis for 15-20 minutes.
- Relax by meditating, reading, taking a nice bubble bath, or listening to calming music.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and quit smoking.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: Pain is a symptom caused by the nervous system that causes unpleasant sensations in the body. Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that can be painful and uncomfortable. Muscle spasms can occur when the nerve impulses that control muscle movement are damaged or interrupted. Muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty moving, and pain in affected muscles and joints are all symptoms. Muscle spasms can be triggered by fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection, and tight clothing.
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.
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD): Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is described as spasmodic and painful cramps in the lower abdomen that begin immediately before or at the onset of menstruation in the absence of any pelvic pathology.
Migraine: A migraine is a headache that is usually moderate or severe, with throbbing pain on one side of the brain. Migraine is a frequent health problem that affects one out of every five women and one out of every fifteen males. They usually start while a person is in their early twenties. Many people also experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound.
FAQs
Rofecoxib contains Rofecoxib, which works by blocking the action of pain-inducing chemical messenger cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme in the body involved in producing certain chemical substances, such as prostaglandins, that cause pain and swelling. Thereby, it helps in relieving pain and swelling associated with various medical conditions.
Rofecoxib should not be used at a higher dose or longer than the doctor recommends. Inform your doctor if your symptoms are not relieved or subsided after taking Rofecoxib.
No, it is a prescribed drug a physician gives to treat specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side effects.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition of joints with pain and inflammation. Rofecoxib does not cure arthritis but relieves arthritis-like joint pain, swelling and stiffness symptoms.
One of the most prevalent side effects of Rofecoxib is high blood pressure. So, using Rofecoxib in patients with high blood pressure would be avoided. Monitoring blood pressure while on treatment with this medicine is recommended.