Clinical pharmacology of lumiracoxib: a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor.

Lumiracoxib (Prexige) is a selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor developed for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute pain. Lumiracoxib possesses a carboxylic acid group that makes it weakly acidic (acid dissociation constant [pKa] 4.7), distinguishing it from other selective COX-2 inhibitors.

Lumiracoxib does not affect methotrexate pharmacokinetics in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: Methotrexate and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are frequently coadministered in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To evaluate the effect of lumiracoxib, a novel cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, on methotrexate pharmacokinetics and short-term safety in patients with RA.

Methods: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study enrolled 18 patients (mean age 49.