Parecoxib 40mg powder for solution for injection – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What Parecoxib is and what it is used for

This medicine contains the active substance parecoxib.

Parecoxib is used for the short-term treatment of pain in

adults after an operation. It is one of a family of medicines

called COX-2 inhibitors (this is short for cyclo-oxygenase-2

inhibitors). Pain and swelling are sometimes caused by

substances in the body called prostaglandins. Parecoxib

works by lowering the amount of these prostaglandins.

2. What you need to know before you use Parecoxib

Do not use Parecoxib:

• If you are allergic to parecoxib or any of the other

  ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

• If you have had a serious allergic reaction (especially

  a serious skin reaction) to any medicines.

• If you have had an allergic reaction to a group of

  medicines called “sulfonamides” (e.g. some antibiotics

  used to treat infections).

• If you currently have a gastric or intestinal ulcer

  or bleeding in the stomach or gut.

• If you have had an allergic reaction to acetylsalicylic

  acid (aspirin) or to other NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen) or to

  COX-2 inhibitors. Reactions might include wheezing

  (bronchospasm), badly blocked nose, itchy skin, rash

  or swelling of the face, lips or tongue, other allergic

  reactions or nasal polyps after taking these medicines.

• If you are more than 6 months pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• If you have severe liver disease.

• If you have inflammation of the intestines

  (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).

• If you have heart failure.

• If you are about to have heart surgery or surgery on

  your arteries (including any coronary artery procedure).

• If you have established heart disease and/or

  cerebrovascular disease e.g. if you have had a heart

  attack, stroke, mini-stroke (TIA) or blockages to blood

  vessels to the heart or brain or an operation to clear

  or bypass blockages.

• If you have or have had problems with your blood

  circulation (peripheral arterial disease).

If any of these applies to you, you will not be given the

injection. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately.

Warnings and precautions

Do not use Parecoxib if you currently have a gastric or

intestinal ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Do not use Parecoxib if you have severe liver disease.

Talk to your doctor or nurse before using Parecoxib:

• If you have previously had an ulcer, bleeding or

  perforation of the gastrointestinal tract.

• If you have had a skin reaction (e.g. a rash, hives,

  welts, blisters, red streaks) with any medicine.

• If you are taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or

  other NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen).

• If you smoke or drink alcohol.

• If you have diabetes.

• If you have angina, blood clots, high blood pressure

  or raised cholesterol.

• If you are taking anti-platelet therapies.
• If you have fluid retention (oedema).
• If you have liver or kidney disease.

• If you are dehydrated – this may happen if you have

  had diarrhoea or have been vomiting (being sick) or

  unable to drink fluids.

  • If you have an infection as it may hide a fever (which is a sign of infection).
  • If you use medicines to reduce blood clotting (e.g. warfarin/warfarin like anticoagulants or novel oral anti-clotting medicines, e.g. apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban).

  • If you use medicines called corticosteroids

    (e.g. prednisone).

  • If you use a class of medicines used to treat depression called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (e.g. sertraline).

Parecoxib can lead to an increase in blood pressure or worsening of existing high blood pressure which may result in an increase in side-effects associated with heart conditions. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure during treatment with Parecoxib.

Potentially life-threatening skin rashes may occur with the use of Parecoxib and treatment should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, blistering and peeling of the skin, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity. If you develop a rash, other skin, or mucosal (such as inside of cheeks or lips) signs and symptoms, seek immediate advice from a doctor and tell them that you are taking this medicine.

Children and adolescents

Children and adolescents under the age of 18 should not be given Parecoxib.

Other medicines and Parecoxib

Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Medicines can sometimes interfere with each other. Your doctor may reduce the dose of Parecoxib or other medicines, or you may need to take a different medicine. It’s especially important to mention:

• Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or other anti-inflammatory medicines.
• Fluconazole – used for fungal infections.
• ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin-II inhibitors, beta blockers and diuretics – used for high blood pressure and heart conditions.
• Ciclosporin or Tacrolimus – used after transplants.
• Warfarin – or other warfarin like medicines used to prevent blood clots including newer medicines like apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban.
• Lithium – used to treat depression.
• Rifampicin – used for bacterial infections.
• Antiarrhythmics – used to treat an irregular heartbeat.
• Phenytoin or Carbamazepine – used for epilepsy.
• Methotrexate – used for rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
• Diazepam – used for sedation and anxiety.
• Omeprazole – used for treating ulcers.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

• If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, tell your doctor. Parecoxib must not be used if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it could harm your unborn child or cause problems at delivery. It can cause kidney and heart problems in your unborn baby. It may affect your and your baby’s tendency to bleed and cause labour to be later or longer than expected. Parecoxib should not be used during the first 6 months of pregnancy and you must not receive Parecoxib in the last three months of pregnancy unless absolutely necessary and advised by your doctor. If you need treatment during this period or while you are trying to get pregnant, the lowest dose for the shortest time possible should be used. If used for more than a few days from 20 weeks of pregnancy onward, parecoxib can cause kidney problems in your unborn baby that may lead to low levels of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby (oligohydramnios) or narrowing of a blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) in the heart of the baby. If you need treatment for longer than a few days, your doctor may recommend additional monitoring.

• If you are breast-feeding, you must not receive

  Parecoxib, as a small amount of Parecoxib will be transferred to your breast milk.

• NSAIDs, including Parecoxib, may make it more difficult to become pregnant. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or if you have problems becoming pregnant. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or nurse for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

If the injection makes you feel dizzy or tired, do not drive or use machines until you feel better again.

Parecoxib contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1mmol sodium (23mg) per ml, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only Dosing. The recommended dose is 40mg administered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM), followed every 6 to 12 hours by 20mg or 40mg as required, not to exceed 80mg/day. The IV bolus injection may be given rapidly and directly into a vein or into an existing IV line. The IM injection should be given slowly and deeply into the muscle. There is limited clinical experience with Parecoxib treatment beyond three days. As the cardiovascular risk of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitors may increase with dose and duration of exposure, the shortest duration possible and the lowest effective daily dose should be used. Cases of severe hypotension shortly following parecoxib administration have been reported in post-marketing experience with parecoxib. Some of these cases have occurred without other signs of anaphylaxis. The physician should be prepared to treat severe hypotension.

Administration is by intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) injection.

The IM injection is to be given slowly and deeply into the muscle and the IV bolus injection may be given rapidly and directly into a vein or into an existing IV line.

Administration other than IV or IM

Modes of administration other than IV or IM (e.g. intra-articular, intrathecal) have not been studied and should not be used.

Reconstitution solvents

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products. It is to be reconstituted only with one of the following:

• sodium chloride 9mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection/infusion;
• glucose 50mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion; or
• sodium chloride 4.5mg/ml (0.45%) and glucose 50mg/ml (5%) solution for injection/infusion. The following solutions cannot be used for reconstitution:

Use of Ringer-Lactate solution for injection or glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) in Ringer-Lactate solution for injection for reconstitution will cause the parecoxib to precipitate from solution and therefore is not recommended. Use of Sterile Water for Injection for reconstitution is not recommended, as the resulting solution is not isotonic.

3. How to use Parecoxib

Parecoxib will be given to you by a doctor or nurse. They

will dissolve the powder before giving you the injection, and

will inject the solution into a vein or a muscle. The injection

may be given rapidly and directly into a vein or into an

existing intravenous line (a thin tube running into a vein), or

it can be given slowly and deeply into a muscle. You will only

be given Parecoxib for short periods, and only for pain relief.

The usual dose to start with is 40mg.

You may be given another dose – either 20mg or 40mg –

6 to 12 hours after the first one.

You will not be given more than 80mg in 24 hours.

Some people may be given lower doses:

• People with liver problems.
• People with severe kidney problems.
• Patients over 65 who weigh less than 50kg.
• People taking fluconazole.

If Parecoxib is used with strong pain killers

(called opioid analgesics) such as morphine the

dose of Parecoxib will be the same as explained above.

If you are given more Parecoxib than you should

you may experience side-effects that have been

reported with recommended doses.

If you have any further questions on the use of this

medicine, ask your doctor or nurse.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects,

although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Parecoxib and tell your doctor immediately:

• If you develop a rash or ulceration in any part of your

  body (e.g. skin, mouth, eyes, face, lips or tongue),

  or develop any other signs of an allergic reaction

  such as skin rash, swelling of the face, lips or tongue

  which may cause wheezing, difficulty breathing, or

  swallowing (potentially fatal) – this occurs rarely.

• If you have swelling, blistering or peeling of the skin –

  it is not known how frequently this occurs.

• The onset of skin reactions can occur at any time

  but most often occur in the first month of treatment;

  the reported rate of these events appears to be greater

  for valdecoxib, a medicine related to parecoxib, as

  compared to other COX-2 inhibitors.

• If you have jaundice (your skin or the whites of your

  eyes appear yellow).

• If you have any signs of bleeding in the stomach or

  intestine, such as passing a black or blood-stained

  bowel movement or vomiting blood.

Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

• Nausea (feeling sick).

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• Change in your blood pressure (up or down).
• You may get back pain.
• Ankles, legs and feet may swell (fluid retention).

• You may feel numb – your skin may lose sensitivity

  to pain and touch.

• You may get vomiting, stomach ache, indigestion,

  constipation, bloating and wind.

• Tests may show abnormal kidney function.
• You may feel agitated or find it hard to sleep.
• Dizziness.

• There is a risk of anaemia - changes in red blood cells

  after an operation that may cause fatigue

  and breathlessness.

• You may get a sore throat or difficulty breathing

  (shortness of breath).

• Your skin may be itchy.
• You may pass less urine than usual.

• Dry socket (inflammation and pain after a

  tooth extraction).

• Increased sweating.
• Low levels of potassium in blood test results.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Heart attack.

• There is a risk of cerebrovascular disease e.g. stroke,

  or transient ischaemic attack (transient reduced blood

  flow to the brain)/mini-stroke or angina, or blockages

  to blood vessels to the heart or brain.

• Blood clot in the lungs.
• Worsening of high blood pressure.

• Ulcers in the digestive system, chronic stomach

  acid reflux.

• The heart may beat more slowly.
• Low blood pressure on standing.
• Blood tests may show abnormal liver function.
• You may bruise easily due to a low blood platelet count.

• Surgical wounds may become infected, abnormal

  discharge from surgical wounds.

  • Skin discolouration or bruising.
  • Complications with skin healing after operations.
  • High sugar levels in blood tests.
  • Injection site pain or injection site reaction.
  • Rash, or raised itchy rash (hives).
  • Anorexia (loss of appetite).
  • Joint pain.
  • High levels of blood enzymes in blood tests that indicate injury or stress to the heart, the brain, or muscle tissue.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Ear ache.
  • Unusual abdominal sounds.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

• Acute kidney failure.
• Hepatitis (inflamed liver).
• Inflammation of the gullet (oesophagus).
• Inflammation of the pancreas (can lead to stomach pain).

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

• Collapse due to severe low blood pressure.
• Heart failure.
• Kidney failure.
• Racing or irregularity of the heartbeat.
• Breathlessness.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme (website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Parecoxib

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the vial label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special storage conditions prior to reconstitution.

It is recommended that Parecoxib is used as soon as possible after it is mixed with solvent, although it may be stored if the instructions at the end of the leaflet are strictly followed.

The injection solution should be a clear colourless liquid. If there are particles in the injection solution or if either the powder or solution is discoloured, the solution should not be used.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Parecoxib contains

• The active substance is parecoxib (as parecoxib sodium). Each vial contains 40mg parecoxib, as 42.36mg parecoxib sodium. When reconstituted with 2ml solvent, provides 20mg/ml of parecoxib. When reconstituted in sodium chloride 9mg/ml (0.9%) solution, Parecoxib contains approximately 0.44mEq of sodium per vial.

• The other ingredients are:

  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate.
  • Phosphoric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment).

What Parecoxib looks like and contents of the pack

Parecoxib is available as a white to off-white powder. The powder is contained in colourless glass vials (5ml) with a stopper, sealed with a grey rubber stopper and an aluminium flip off seal.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder

Aspire Pharma Limited, Unit 4 Rotherbrook Court Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3QG United Kingdom

Manufacturer

Anfarm Hellas S.A, 61st km Nat.Rd.

Athens-Lamia, Schimatari Viotias

32009, Greece

This leaflet was last revised in: 09/2026

1010499 -P4.2

Reconstitution process

Use aseptic technique to reconstitute lyophilised parecoxib (as parecoxib sodium).

40mg vial: Remove the purple flip-off cap to expose the central portion of the rubber stopper of the parecoxib 40mg vial. Withdraw with a 21G (0.8mm) sterile needle and syringe, 2ml of an acceptable solvent and insert the needle through the central portion of the rubber stopper, with the needle perpendicular to the surface, transferring the solvent into the parecoxib 40mg vial.

Dissolve the powder completely using a gentle swirling motion and inspect the reconstituted product before use. The reconstituted solution must not be used if discoloured or cloudy or if particulate matter is observed. The entire contents of the vial should be withdrawn for a single administration. If a dose lower than 40mg is required, excess medicine should be discarded.

IV line solution compatibility

Precipitation may occur when Parecoxib is combined in solution with other medicinal products and therefore Parecoxib must not be mixed with any other drug, either during reconstitution or injection. In those patients where the same IV line is to be used to inject another medicinal product, the line must be adequately flushed prior to and after Parecoxib injection with a solution of known compatibility.

After reconstitution with acceptable solvents, Parecoxib may only be injected IV or IM, or into IV lines delivering the following:

• sodium chloride 9mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection/infusion;
• glucose 50mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion;
• sodium chloride 4.5mg/ml (0.45%) and glucose 50mg/ml (5%) solution for injection/infusion. It is not recommended to inject into an IV line delivering fluids not listed in this section as this may cause precipitation from solution.

The solution is for single use only and must not be stored in a refrigerator or freezer.

Chemical and physical in-use stability of the reconstituted solution have been demonstrated for up to 24 hours at 25°C. Thus, 24 hours should be considered the maximum shelf life of the reconstituted product. However, due to the importance of microbiological infection risk for injectable products, the reconstituted solution should be used immediately unless reconstitution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. Unless such requirements are met, in-storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user, and would not normally be longer than 12 hours at 25°C.