Drug Uses

Celebrex is a COX-2 inhibitor NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that is used to treat conditions like relief of pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis), menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea), pain and colonic polyps.

How it is taken

The dosage for celebrex differs according to the clinical condition of the person. It is 100mg twice daily or 200mg once for rheumatoid arthritis, 400 mg as a single dose on the first day, followed by an additional 200 mg if needed, then 200mg twice daily as needed for menstrual cramps and acute pain.

Drug Class & Mechanism

Celebrex is a COX-2 inhibitor NSAID that works by blocking the enzyme that makes prostaglandins which mainly contributes towards the inflammation of arthritis that causes the pain, fever, swelling and tenderness. So, these symptoms are greatly reduced.

Missed Dosage

If you miss a dose then you may take it as soon as you remember and adjust the remaining doses accordingly. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose then you may skip this dose and continue with the regular dosage. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

Storage

Store it at room temperature (between between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in an air tight container protecting it from direct exposure to light, heat and moisture. Keep away from pets and children
 

Discuss with your doctor about any prior medical condition that you may have including allergies to medicines, food or other substances.

If you are taking fluconazole then treatment with celecoxib should be initiated at the lowest recommended doses.

Celebrex increases the concentration of lithium (Eskalith) in the blood by 17%. Therefore, lithium therapy should be closely monitored during and after therapy with celebrex.

If you drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day then you are at an increased risk of developing stomach ulcers while using NSAIDS including Celebrex.

If you are taking the anticoagulant (blood thinner) warfarin (Coumadin), then you must have your blood tested when starting or changing treatment with celebrex

You must not take Celebrex if you are allergic to any ingredient in it or combine it with aspirin or other NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) as it may increase the occurrence of stomach and intestinal ulcers.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you are, then stop using and contact your doctor immediately.

It is unknown whether is secreted in breast milk. Avoid breast feeding while using the drug.
 

Some of the possible side effects of Celebrex are headache, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence and insomnia. Other side effects include fainting, kidney failure, heart failure, aggravation of hypertension, chest pain, ringing in the ears, deafness, stomach and intestinal ulcers, bleeding, blurred vision, anxiety, photosensitivity, weight gain, water retention, flu-like symptoms, drowsiness and weakness.

Other severe side effects include allergic reactions abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort, nausea, bloody vomit, bloody, black, or tarry stools, unexplained weight gain, swelling or water retention, fatigue or lethargy, a skin rash, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, "flu-like" symptoms, or unusual bruising or bleeding. These are usually the symptoms that lead to a more severe attack later on.

You must seek medical attention immediately if any of these side effects occur.