Celebrex

celecoxib

Celebrex is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Celebrex works by reducing substances that cause inflammation, pain, and fever in the body. Celecoxib is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Celecoxib is also used to reduce the number of adenomatous colorectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), to treat acute pain, and to treat pain associated with menstruation. Celecoxib has become popular as it is easier on the stomach than other anti-arthritis medications.

What is Celebrex?

Celecoxib belongs to a new generation of NSAIDs that selectively block the action of COX-2. This means that it stops the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, without stopping the production of prostaglandins that protect the stomach and intestines. It therefore reduces pain and inflammation, but is less likely than traditional NSAIDs to cause side effects on the stomach and intestines. Celecoxib is a Cox-2 inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent with fewer gastrointestinal side effects, approved just a year ago for the management of arthritis pain. Celecoxib is similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. NSAIDS block specific enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that are induced by inflamed tissue and also are produced by pre-cancerous polyps in the intestine. Celecoxib specifically inhibits only COX-2, and therefore has shown little evidence of causing gastric problems.

Before taking Celebrex

Some medical conditions may interact with Celebrex. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers)
• if you have a history of swelling or fluid buildup, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation
• if you have a high fever, rash, high blood pressure, blood disorders, bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart disease, heart failure), or blood vessel disease, or you are at risk for any of these diseases
• if you have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, you drink alcohol or smoke, or you have a history of alcohol abuse

How should I take Celebrex?

Take by mouth, usually once or twice daily, or as directed by your doctor. To decrease the chance of stomach upset, this drug is best taken with food. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. The lowest effective dosage should always be used. Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 oz or 240 ml). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medication. In certain conditions (e.g., arthritis), it may take up to two weeks, taken regularly, before significant benefits of this drug take effect.

If you are taking this drug on an "as needed" basis (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has significantly worsened, the medicine may not work as well. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Celebrex side effects

Continue to take Celebrex if you experience flatulence or diarrhea, dizziness, headache or insomnia. Stomach upset or gas may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe headache, unexplained weight gain, swelling of the hands or feet, change in amount of urine.

Precautions

Do not drink alcohol while taking Celebrex. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by Celebrex. Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many pain medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to Celebrex. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Celebrex can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Do not use Celecoxib if you are allergic to any ingredient in Celecoxib, you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) to aspirin, an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen), or a sulfonamide (eg, sulfamethoxazole), you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery, you have severe liver problems, you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy, you are taking another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (eg, ibuprofen).

Avoid taking Celebrex together with other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), or piroxicam (Feldene).

Preganacy

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Taking Celebrex during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Celebrex passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.

Notes

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Celebrex. If you have any other questions about Celebrex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.