Arcoxia is a new COX-2 selective inhibitor from Merck & Company used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis. Arcoxia tablets contain an active ingredient called Etoricoxib, which is a type of medicine known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs work by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase, which is involved in producing prostaglandins, in response to injury or certain diseases. These prostaglandins cause swelling, pain and inflammation. Because NSAIDs block the production of these prostaglandins, they are very much effective at relieving pain and inflammation.

Cyclo-oxygenase does not only produce prostaglandins that cause inflammation but also produces prostaglandins that have useful roles in the body. There are two different types of cyclo-oxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 is the form that produces prostaglandins that cause inflammation. COX-1 does not produce inflammatory prostaglandins, but produces others that have useful effects, including some that are involved in maintaining a healthy stomach and intestinal lining. Traditional
 
NSAIDs, block the action of both COX-1 and COX-2, and this is why they can sometimes cause side effects such as stomach irritation and peptic ulcers. Arcoxia belongs to a new generation of NSAIDs that selectively block the action of COX-2. This means that it stops the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, without stopping the production of prostaglandins that protect the intestine and the stomach. Arcoxia therefore reduces pain and inflammation, but is less likely than traditional NSAIDs to cause side effects on the stomach and intestines.

Arcoxia has been launched in 48 countries worldwide in Latin America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Merck will continue to work with regulatory agencies in the countries where Arcoxia is approved, including the European Medicines Agency which recently announced plans for the safety review of the COX-2s, to assess whether changes to the prescribing information for this class of drugs, including Arcoxia, are warranted. Some of the Latest drugs for 2006  estratest, exubra, evamist-spray, daevobet and xolaire.