VALDECOXIB 20MG - ORAL (Bextra) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

VALDECOXIB 20MG-ORAL, Bextra (cont.)

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking valdecoxib, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to sulfa drugs, aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or celecoxib; or if you have any other allergies. This medication is not recommended for use if you have the following medical conditions: kidney disease, severe liver disease. Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver problems, asthma, nasal polyps, swelling problems (fluid retention), stomach problems (e.g., bleeding, ulcers), blood disorders (e.g., anemia), heart disease, high blood pressure, tobacco or alcohol use, dehydration, poorly controlled diabetes, persistent runny nose. Related drugs (rofecoxib and celecoxib) rarely have caused blood clots to form, resulting in heart attacks and strokes. This medication has rarely caused similar problems in heart bypass patients right after surgery, but not in other people studied to date. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits and risks of treatment, as well as other possible medication choices. This medication may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and this medication may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy but should not be used during the third trimester. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: aspirin or aspirin-like drugs (e.g., NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen), azole antifungals (e.g., fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril, lisinopril), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), dextromethorphan, lithium. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) which are similar to this drug. Aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 mg per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.