Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Persons taking the anticoagulant (blood thinner) warfarin (Coumadin) should
have their blood tested when initiating or changing celecoxib treatment,
particularly in the first few days, for any changes in the effects of the
anticoagulant.
Persons who drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day may be at increased
risk of developing stomach ulcers when taking NSAIDs, and this also may be true
with celecoxib.
PREGNANCY: Celecoxib has not been studied in pregnant women. In animal
studies, doses that were twice the maximally recommended dose were harmful to
the fetus. It should not be used in late
pregnancy because there is a risk of
heart defects in the newborn. Celecoxib should only be used in pregnant women
when the benefits outweigh the potential risk to the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: Available evidence suggests that celecoxib is
secreted in breast milk. Nursing mothers should avoid celecoxib or discontinue
breastfeeding.
Celecoxib, like other
NSAIDs may cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers that may occur at any
time during treatment. Celecoxib does not interfere with the function of the
blood platelets and, as a result, does not reduce clotting and lead to increased
bleeding time like other NSAIDs. Allergic reactions can occur with celecoxib.
Individuals who have developed allergic reactions (rash, itching, difficulty
breathing) from sulfonamides [for example,
sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim)], aspirin or other NSAIDs may
experience an allergic reaction to celecoxib and should not take celecoxib.
NSAIDs may increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and related
conditions, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use and
in patients who have underlying risk factors for heart and blood vessel
conditions. NSAIDs should not be used for the treatment of pain resulting from
coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. NSAIDs cause an increased risk of
serious, even fatal, stomach and intestinal adverse reactions such as bleeding,
ulcers, and perforation of the stomach or intestines. These events can occur at
any time during treatment and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at
greater risk for these types of reactions.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
The knee joint is composed of three compartments and ligaments which stabilize the joint. Causes of knee pain may include injury, degeneration, infrequently infection and rarely bone tumors. Although routine x-rays do not revel meniscus tears, they can be used to exclude other problems of the bones and tissues. The knee joint is the most commonly involved joint in rheumatic disease, as well as immune diseases that affect various tissues of the body.
Menstrual cramps (pain in the belly and pelvic area) are experienced by women as a result of menses. Menstrual cramps are not the same as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Menstrual cramps are common, and may be accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. Severity of menstrual cramp pain varies from woman to woman. Treatment includes OTC or prescription pain relief medication.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of
cartilage in the joints. Also known as degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis
can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of
arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout,
and pseudogout.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is genetically inherited.
Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints, tendinitis, and organ inflammation. Treatment involves antiinflammatory medications and exercise.
A colon polyp is a benign tumor of the large intestine. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can easily be removed during colonoscopy and are not life threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant over time.
Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.
Juvenile arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or JRA) annually affects one child in every thousand. There are three types of JRA: pauciarticular (less than four joints affected), polyarticular (more than four joints affected), and systemic-onset (inflamed joints with high fevers and rash). Treatment of juvenile arthritis depends upon the type the child has and should focus on treating the symptoms that manifest.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms include abdominal cramping, bloating, a feeling of fullness, abdominal pain, mood swings, anxiety and more. Treatment for menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms include regular sleep, exercise, smoking cessation, diet changes, and OTC or prescription medication depending on the severity of the condition.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed medications for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and more. One common side effect of NSAIDs is peptic ulcer (ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking NSAIDs.
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