GENERIC NAME: CELECOXIB - ORAL (sell-eh-COX-ib)

BRAND NAME(S): Celebrex

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), specifically a COX-2 inhibitor, which relieves pain and swelling (inflammation). It is used to treat arthritis, acute pain, and menstrual pain and discomfort. Celecoxib is also used to decrease growths found in the intestines (colon polyps) of persons with a family history of this condition. This drug works by blocking the enzyme in your body that makes prostaglandins. Decreasing prostaglandins helps to reduce pain and swelling.

HOW TO USE: 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 (see also Precautions section). Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 oz or 240 ml) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. 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.

SIDE EFFECTS: 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. This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking celecoxib and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately: black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, chest pain, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, sudden vision changes. This drug may rarely cause serious liver disease. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking celecoxib and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately: yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, unusual fatigue. In the unlikely event you have a serious allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

valdecoxib, Bextra - Clarifies the medication valdecoxib (Bextra), a drug used for the relief of pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it does not prevent the destruction of joints by the arthritis. Source:MedicineNet Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission). Source:MedicineNet Osteoarthritis - Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) is a joint disease caused by the breakdown and loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. With repetitive use, pain, swelling, warmth, and creaking may be noticed in the affected joint. Though weight loss and avoiding stress on the joint will reduce joint pain and inflammation, there is no specific treatment for osteoarthritis. Source:MedicineNet Read 83 more celecoxib related articles ... Anemia Drugs May Speed Tumor Growth in Some Cancer Patients Celebrex May Reduce Levels of Lung Cancer Biomarker Two Drugs Better Than One for High Blood Pressure Celebrex, Naproxen Won't Prevent Mental Decline Celebrex Plus Lipitor Could Fight Prostate Cancer Vioxx Ban Tied to Rise in Serious GI Trouble Aspirin May Lower Breast Cancer Risk