Can etoricoxib be used to treat tension-type headache?

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Last updated: November 4, 2026 • View editorial policy

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El etoricoxib NO está recomendado para el tratamiento de la cefalea tensional

Las guías clínicas de 2023 del VA/DoD recomiendan específicamente ibuprofeno (400 mg) o acetaminofén (1000 mg) para el tratamiento agudo de la cefalea tensional, sin mencionar etoricoxib como opción terapéutica 1.

Evidencia de las Guías Clínicas

Las guías más recientes y de mayor calidad (VA/DoD 2023) establecen claramente:

  • Para tratamiento agudo de cefalea tensional: Ibuprofeno 400 mg o acetaminofén 1000 mg (recomendación débil a favor) 1
  • Para prevención de cefalea tensional crónica: Amitriptilina (recomendación débil a favor) 1

El etoricoxib no aparece en ninguna de las recomendaciones para cefalea tensional en estas guías de 2023, que representan el estándar de práctica clínica actual 1.

Consideraciones sobre el Etoricoxib

Aunque el etoricoxib es un inhibidor selectivo de COX-2 con propiedades analgésicas:

  • No tiene indicación aprobada por FDA para cefalea tensional 2
  • La evidencia disponible se limita a cefaleas por ayuno ritual (Yom Kippur, Ramadán) 3, 4 y cefaleas secundarias específicas 5, 6, no cefalea tensional primaria
  • Los estudios disponibles evalúan etoricoxib en contextos muy específicos (prevención de cefalea por ayuno) que no son extrapolables a cefalea tensional 3, 4

Perfil de Seguridad del Etoricoxib

Como todos los AINEs, el etoricoxib conlleva riesgos importantes:

  • Eventos cardiovasculares trombóticos (infarto, accidente cerebrovascular)
  • Sangrado y úlceras gastrointestinales
  • Hipertensión y retención de líquidos
  • Efectos renales y hepáticos 2

Recomendación Práctica

Use ibuprofeno 400 mg o acetaminofén 1000 mg como primera línea para cefalea tensional aguda 1. Estos medicamentos tienen:

  • Evidencia sólida de eficacia
  • Perfil de seguridad bien establecido
  • Recomendación específica en guías actuales
  • Menor costo

Si la cefalea tensional es crónica y requiere prevención, considere amitriptilina 1.

Advertencia Importante

No sustituya los tratamientos recomendados por guías con medicamentos sin evidencia específica para la condición. El etoricoxib tiene riesgos cardiovasculares y gastrointestinales significativos que no están justificados sin evidencia clara de beneficio en cefalea tensional 2.

References

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