Oral adverse reactions associated with etoricoxib, a common pain medication

Abstract

Background and overview: There have been reports of cutaneous adverse reactions to etoricoxib, a frequently used anti-inflammatory and antipain medication. In this report, the authors describe the first series of patients with adverse reactions to etoricoxib restricted to the oral mucosa.

Case description: The series comprised 7 men and 4 women, aged 25 through 81 years, 10 of whom had only oral lesions, 1 with mucocutaneous involvement. Lesions were erosive and aphthouslike or erythema multiformelike. In most of the cases, bilateral involvement of the palate was reported. Lips, tongue, and buccal mucosa were also involved. All lesions resolved after drug discontinuation. In 6 patients, repeated use resulted in recurrence of signs and symptoms similar to the first attack.

Conclusions and practical implications: The dental and medical community should be aware of the oral adverse effects of etoricoxib, recognize them in time, recommend drug-use cessation, and warn patients against repeated use.

Keywords: Etoricoxib; adverse effects; aphthouslike lesions; erosions; erythema multiforme; oral mucosa.