COX-2 inhibitor shown to provide NSAID-type relief: etoricoxib is often better tolerated and has safety profile of other coxibs [Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism]

TORONTO - Etoricoxib (Arcoxia), a new COX-2 inhibitor developed in Canada, is effective in a broad range of indications, according to four new studies.

Clinical trials announced at the recent annual congress of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) in Stockholm showed etoricoxib provides benefits similar to traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in acute gouty arthritis, chronic low-back pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Etoricoxib was better tolerated than the NSAIDs.

"I'd say the safety profile is similar to all the coxibs," said Dr. Vivian Bykerk, assistant director for the Centre for Advanced Therapeutics at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, who attended the EULAR congress.

One study involved 150 patients with acute gouty arthritis randomized to either 120 mg etoricoxib once a day...