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Nucoxia: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Nucoxia - General Information

Nucoxia 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, Nucoxia selectively inhibits isoform 2 of cyclo-oxigenase enzyme (COX-2). This reduces the generation of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid.

 

Pharmacology of Nucoxia

Nucoxia 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.

 

Additional information about Nucoxia

Nucoxia Indication

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

Mechanism Of Action
Like any other COX-2 selective inhibitor Nucoxia selectively inhibits isoform 2 of cyclo-oxigenase enzyme (COX-2). This reduces prostaglandins (PGs) generation from arachidonic acid.
Drug Interactions
Anisindione Nucoxia increases the anticoagulant effect
Food Interactions
Take without regard to meals.
Generic Name
Etoricoxib
Drug Category
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Etoricoxib
Arcoxia; Nucoxia; Tauxib; Algix;
Absorption
Bioavailability is 100% following oral administration.
Toxicity (Overdose)
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
Protein Binding
92%
Biotransformation
Hepatic, primarily via CYP3A4.
Half Life
22 hours
Chemical IUPAC Name
5-chloro-2-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)pyridine
Chemical Formula
C18H15ClN2O2S
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals