Thrytix is etoricoxib, in 60 mg, 90 mg and 120 mg tablets. It is an anti-inflammatory painkiller for arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout and short-term acute pain — gentler on the stomach than ordinary anti-inflammatories, but with a cardiovascular trade-off worth understanding.
What is Thrytix?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Thrytix 60, Thrytix 90 and Thrytix 120 as Schedule 3 film-coated tablets containing etoricoxib at 60 mg, 90 mg and 120 mg.
Etoricoxib is a COX-2 selective inhibitor, or coxib — a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), but a selective one.
Why the selectivity matters. Ordinary anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and diclofenac block two enzymes:
- COX-2 produces the prostaglandins that cause pain, swelling and fever at a site of inflammation. Blocking this is the benefit.
- COX-1 produces prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining and help platelets clot. Blocking this causes the stomach damage and bleeding risk.
Etoricoxib blocks COX-2 and largely spares COX-1, giving a genuinely lower rate of stomach ulcers and bleeding. That is the reason it is prescribed — particularly for people who need an anti-inflammatory long term but cannot tolerate the usual ones.
The trade-off is cardiovascular. COX-1 in platelets promotes clotting; COX-2 in blood vessel walls opposes it. Blocking only COX-2 tips that balance slightly towards clotting, so coxibs carry a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke, rising with dose and duration. Etoricoxib also raises blood pressure more than most anti-inflammatories, which is its most distinctive drawback and the reason blood pressure should be checked.
The strengths map to conditions, unusually clearly:
| Strength | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 60 mg | Osteoarthritis |
| 90 mg | Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis |
| 120 mg | Acute gout — short-term only, usually up to 8 days |
The 120 mg is not a stronger everyday dose. It is a short-course dose for an acute attack, and using it long term substantially raises the cardiovascular and blood pressure risks.
A note on placement: etoricoxib is an anti-inflammatory, not an endocrine or diabetes medicine. This page’s category is being corrected.
What is Thrytix commonly used for?
- Osteoarthritis — the wear-related joint disease of knees, hips, hands and spine, at 60 mg.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, for pain and stiffness alongside disease-modifying treatment.
- Ankylosing spondylitis and other inflammatory spinal conditions, where anti-inflammatories are a mainstay of treatment rather than just symptom relief.
- Acute gout, at 120 mg for a short course. It works well and is a useful alternative where colchicine or steroids are unsuitable.
- Acute pain, including after dental surgery.
- Chronic back pain with an inflammatory component.
Two points shape its use:
It is chosen mainly where stomach risk is the concern — a history of ulcers or gastritis, older age, or the need for long-term treatment. For a short course in a healthy young person, plain ibuprofen is the sensible and far cheaper option.
It treats symptoms, not disease. In rheumatoid arthritis it relieves pain and stiffness while the disease-modifying medicines do the work that changes the outcome. In osteoarthritis, weight loss, strengthening exercise and physiotherapy change the trajectory in a way no anti-inflammatory does.
Gout deserves a separate word. Treating the attack is only half of it. Recurrent gout is caused by persistently high uric acid, and that is treated with allopurinol or febuxostat — long-term medicines that prevent attacks, protect the joints and kidneys, and are considerably under-prescribed. If you are reaching for an anti-inflammatory for gout more than once or twice a year, ask about urate-lowering treatment.
How Thrytix fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| COX-2 selective | Etoricoxib (Thrytix), celecoxib | Gentler on the stomach; cardiovascular and blood pressure caution |
| Traditional NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen | Effective; stomach, kidney, heart cautions |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol | Pain and fever; no anti-inflammatory effect; safest |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, in courses |
| Colchicine | — | Acute gout, and prevention while starting allopurinol |
| Urate-lowering | Allopurinol, febuxostat | Prevent gout attacks |
| Topical NSAIDs | Diclofenac gel | Local effect, far less absorbed |
For other guides in this category, see Ozempic and Metformin, and the endocrine and diabetes medicines hub.
What to check before using Thrytix
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a specific contraindication, and this matters more with etoricoxib than with other anti-inflammatories. Blood pressure should be checked before starting and within a couple of weeks, then periodically.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Have high blood pressure, treated or not.
- Have established heart disease, have had a heart attack or stroke, or have heart failure. Coxibs are generally avoided in these.
- Have or have had a stomach ulcer or gut bleeding. Lower risk is not no risk.
- Have kidney disease or liver disease.
- Have asthma triggered by anti-inflammatories, or nasal polyps.
- Are over 65, where stomach, kidney and cardiovascular risks all rise.
- Smoke, or have diabetes or high cholesterol — these add to the cardiovascular consideration.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease.
- Take warfarin or another blood thinner, low-dose aspirin, steroids, an SSRI antidepressant, an ACE inhibitor, ARB or diuretic, lithium, methotrexate, ciclosporin or rifampicin.
- Are pregnant, particularly after 20 weeks, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy — NSAIDs can interfere with ovulation.
Practical points:
- Take it once daily, with or without food. Taking it with food slows onset slightly.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest useful time. Both the cardiovascular and blood pressure risks relate to dose and duration.
- Keep the 120 mg to short courses, as directed.
- Do not take another anti-inflammatory alongside it — no ibuprofen, diclofenac or naproxen, and check cold and flu products.
- Low-dose aspirin for the heart is different and is usually continued — confirm with your doctor.
- Monitor your blood pressure, and have kidney function checked if you take it long term.
- Drink enough fluid, particularly in hot weather or illness.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects: raised blood pressure, ankle swelling, indigestion, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and tiredness.
Get emergency help for:
- Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or signs of a stroke — face drooping, arm weakness, difficulty speaking.
- Vomiting blood or material like coffee grounds, or black tarry stools.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- A widespread rash, particularly with blistering, peeling, mouth sores or fever.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
Seek prompt advice for:
- A rise in blood pressure readings. This is the effect most likely to need action, and it is easy to miss without checking.
- Swollen ankles, breathlessness on exertion, or sudden weight gain — possible fluid retention.
- Any rash, however mild.
- Wheezing or worsening asthma.
- Persistent indigestion or stomach pain. Do not simply take an antacid and carry on — an ulcer can bleed without warning.
- Reduced urine output or unusual tiredness.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Contact your doctor if pain is not controlled, if you need it continuously for months, or if your circumstances change — new heart, kidney or blood pressure problems all alter the balance. If you are using it repeatedly for gout, ask about urate-lowering treatment, which prevents attacks rather than treating them one at a time.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Thrytix used for? Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gout and short-term acute pain. It contains etoricoxib, a COX-2 selective anti-inflammatory.
What is Thrytix 60 used for? Usually osteoarthritis. 90 mg is typical for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
What is Thrytix 120 used for? Acute gout, as a short course of up to about eight days. It is not intended as a long-term everyday dose.
How is it different from ibuprofen or diclofenac? It blocks only COX-2, sparing the enzyme that protects the stomach, so it causes fewer ulcers. It carries a small cardiovascular risk and raises blood pressure more than most anti-inflammatories.
Does it raise blood pressure? Yes, more than most NSAIDs. Have it checked before starting and periodically afterwards.
Can I take it with ibuprofen? No. It is already an anti-inflammatory. Combining them multiplies risk without improving relief.
Is it safe for the heart? It carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke, rising with dose and duration, and is generally avoided in established heart disease.
Should I take it long term for gout? No. For repeated gout, ask about allopurinol or febuxostat, which lower uric acid and prevent attacks rather than treating each one.