Celebrex (Celecoxib)

What is Celebrex?

Celebrex belongs to a family of drugs called NSAIDs or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is used for relief of symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis in adults and for the management of acute pain in some adults. The drug is also used in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

What is Celebrex used for?

Celebrex is used for treating pain or inflammation caused by several conditions such as Ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, and menstrual pain. The drug is also used in the treatment of hereditary polyps in the colon.

How does Celebrex work?

The drug works by reducing the number of hormones that cause pain or inflammation. It relieves the person from arthritis inflammation by blocking an enzyme called COX-2. The enzyme produces prostaglandins, which is responsible for increasing inflammation caused by arthritis. Celebrex can be used to treat both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when joints tissues are attacked by the immune system. Osteoarthritis is caused by body’s inability to fix joint damage.

How to use Celebrex

Celebrex is generally taken with food or milk to lessen the chance of stomach upset. The capsule can also be opened up and sprinkled into a spoonful of applesauce to make it easy to swallow. Throw away the empty capsule. Swallow the applesauce mixture with water. Don’t chew. You can keep the mixture in the refrigerator if you don’t want to take it immediately. Remember to take it within 6 hours.

Celebrex warnings and precautions

Avoid drinking alcohol while using Celebrex. It can cause stomach bleeding. Don’t use any other medicine to treat pain, allergy or cold without consulting your doctor. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays. It may result in sunburn.

Don’t use this medicine immediately before or after a heart bypass surgery. Also don’t use this medicine if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, aspirin, or other NSAIDs. Pregnant and lactating females should avoid taking this medicine.

What do I do if I have missed a Celebrex dose?

If you have missed your Celebrex dose you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and wait for your next dose. Don’t take extra dose to make up for the missed one.

What do I do if I have taken a Celebrex overdose?

If you have taken a Celebrex overdose you should seek medical attention. The overdose symptoms include nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, stomach pain, black or bloody stool, or coma.

Celebrex interactions

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

Consult your doctor if you are taking:

• antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), or venlafaxine (Effexor).
• a blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin)

• a blood pressure or heart medication such as losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), telmisartan (Micardis), candesartan (Atacand), irbesartan, valsartan, eprosartan, or olmesartan
• an ACE inhibitor such as captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), fosinopril (Monopril), ram
  

  Celebrex side effects

  Difficulty in breathing, allergic reaction, blurred vision, ringing in ears, headache, gas or bloating, skin rash or itchy skin, swelling of face, tongue, lips, or throat are some of the side effects that you may get from Celebrex. Celebrex serious side effects include chest pain, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood or a dark vomit, urinating less, rapid weight gain or swelling, bruising, muscle weakness, sore throat, fever, nausea, jaundice, loss of appetite.

   

  If these symptoms occur, stop using the drug immediately and seek emergency medical attention.