Uses
Celecoxib (Celebrex) is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Celecoxib (Celebrex) is also used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis that affects children) in children 2 years of age and older. Celecoxib (Celebrex) is also used to treat painful menstrual periods and to relieve other types of short-term pain including pain caused by injuries, surgery and other medical or dental procedures, or medical conditions that last for a limited time. Celecoxib (Elyxyb) is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound and light). Celecoxib (Elyxyb) does not prevent migraine attacks or reduce the number of headaches that you have. Celecoxib is in a class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain and inflammation.
Side Effects Of Celecoxib
Celecoxib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- gas or bloating
- sore throat
- cold symptoms
- constipation
- dizziness
- dysgeusia
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more celecoxib until you speak to your doctor.
- unexplained weight gain
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the abdomen, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- diarrhea
- nausea
- excessive tiredness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- itching
- lack of energy
- loss of appetite
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- flu-like symptoms
- blisters
- fever
- rash
- hives
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, or hands
- hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- pale skin
- fast heartbeat
- cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
- back pain
- difficult or painful urination
- frequent urination, especially at night
Celecoxib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking celecoxib:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to celecoxib, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), sulfa medications, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in celecoxib capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Epaned, Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (Qbrelis, in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers such as candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan, irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), and valsartan (Dioavan, in Entresto, in Exforge HCT); atomoxetine (Strattera); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Kapspargo Sprinkle, Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (‘water pills’); fluconazole (Diflucan); lithium (Lithobid); methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Reditrex, Trexall); and pemtrexed (Alimta, Pemfexy). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with celecoxib, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; heart failure; or liver or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking celecoxib, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking celecoxib.
Celecoxib Dosage
Celecoxib comes as a capsule (Celebrex) and a solution (liquid; Elyxyb) to take by mouth. Celecoxib capsules are usually taken once or twice a day. If you are taking up to 200 mg of celecoxib capsules at a time, you may take the medication with or without food. If you are taking more than 200 mg of celecoxib capsules at a time, you should take the medication with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you need to take your medication with food. To help you remember to take celecoxib capsules, take it around the same time(s) every day.
Celecoxib solution is usually taken at the first sign of a migraine headache with or without food. If your symptoms improve after you take celecoxib solution but return within 24 hours, do not take a second dose. You should not take more than one dose of celecoxib solution in a 24-hour period. If you take celecoxib solution more often or for longer than the recommended period of time, your headaches may get worse or may occur more frequently. You should not take celecoxib solution or any other headache medication for more than 10 days per month. Call your doctor if your headaches get worse or occur more frequently.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take celecoxib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you cannot swallow the capsules or if you are giving this medication to a child, you may open the capsules and sprinkle the contents over a teaspoon of cold or room temperature applesauce. You may prepare the mixture in advance and store it for up to 6 hours in a refrigerator. When you are ready to take your medication, swallow all of the mixture. Then drink water to wash down the mixture and be sure that you have swallowed all of it.
If your doctor tells you to take less than the amount of the solution in the bottle, use an oral dosing syringe to measure the correct amount of medication. Do not use a household teaspoon to measure your dose. Do not save the remaining medication for another dose; properly discard the unused solution.
Other
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
You should keep a headache diary by writing down when you have headaches and when you take celecoxib solution.
Your blood pressure should be checked regularly during your treatment.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
