Celebrex Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects different joints in the body – most often the knees, hips, lower back, and neck. It is caused by the wearing out of cartilage, a tissue which covers the ends of all bones in the body. When cartilage is damaged, joints begin to rub against each other, causing swelling and pain.

Osteoarthritis commonly affects people over 65 years. There is no cure for osteoarthritis but symptoms can be managed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of joints. The result is swelling, pain, and eventual deformity and erosion of bones. This condition may also manifest in eye, skin, lung, and blood vessel damage. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but symptoms can be managed successfully if treatment starts early on.

Acute Pain

Pain is a physical warning sign linked to an injury or illness in the body. Acute pain is usually the result of a specific cause, like surgery, dental procedures, and fractures. Acute pain disappears when the problem is resolved. Acute pain is different than chronic pain, which lasts longer than six months and can be debilitating.

Celebrex Active Ingredient

Generic Celebrex Alternative:Celebrex 

Celebrex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and swelling. Its active ingredient is celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, which blocks the enzyme responsible for producing prostaglandins. Decreasing prostaglandins helps to reduce pain and swelling.

General Drug Information

What is Celebrex and What Is It Used For?

Celebrex is prescribed to alleviate acute pain, as well as menstrual pain and discomfort. The drug reduces pain and swelling and helps patients perform normal daily activities.

Celebrex is also prescribed to patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis should ask their doctor about non-drug treatments or other medications that might provide pain relief.

Usage and Application

Celebrex should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage depends on the patient’s medical condition and response to treatment.

Most patients are prescribed one or two daily oral doses, usually with food. This decreases the chance of stomach upset. This medication should be taken with a full glass of water. Patients should not lie down for ten minutes after taking Celebrex.

Patients should take the lowest effective dose, and only for the prescribed length of time.

Those suffering from arthritis may need to take Celebrex for up to two weeks before they get the full benefit.

Patients who take Celebrex on an "as needed" basis (rather than a regular schedule) should remember that pain medications work best when taken at the first signs of pain. The medication may not work as well if patients wait until the pain worsens.

Considerations Before Taking Celebrex

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Celebrex. They should mention whether they are allergic to aspirin or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. A history of allergic reactions to COX-2 inhibitors should be discussed with the treating physician. Patients should also mention any known sensitivity to sulfonamides.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially relating to liver disease, stomach bleeding, ulcers, and recurring heartburn. Patients should report asthma, especially if they have a history of breathing problems after taking aspirin (or other NSAIDs).

It is important to report heart conditions like angina or heart attack, as well as high blood pressure, stroke, anemia, bleeding problems, and nasal polyps.

Prolonged use of NSAID medications may cause kidney problems. Older adults and patients who already suffer from kidney disease are, particularly at risk. This is also the case with patients who have heart failure. The likelihood of kidney problems is also higher in patients who are dehydrated or take diuretic medications.

Patients should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Symptoms like changes in the amount of urine may signify kidney problems. Notify your doctor immediately in the event of such symptoms.

Celebrex may cause stomach bleeding. This risk is exacerbated in smokers and those who drink alcohol daily. Patients should limit alcohol consumption and smoking.

Before surgery or certain dental procedures, patients should tell their doctor or dentist about any prescription drug, over-the-counter medication, and herbal product they are taking.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the negative side effects of Celebrex, especially regarding stomach bleeding and kidney problems.

For treatment of children with systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Celebrex should be used with caution. There may be an increased risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation, a very serious bleeding problem. Parents should seek immediate medical help if their child develops sudden bleeding, bruising, or bluish skin in the fingers or toes.

Before starting treatment, women of childbearing age should discuss the benefits and risks of Celebrex with their doctor. Risks can include trouble conceiving and a possibility of miscarriage. Patients should tell their doctor in the event they are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

Celebrex should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy. Doing so may harm the unborn baby and interfere with labor and delivery.

This medication passes into breast milk. Women should consult their doctor before breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Celebrex should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Celebrex

Drug interactions may change the way Celebrex works, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Celebrex may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood thinning medications like Coumadin, Lovenox, and Pradaxa. The same may happen when Celebrex is taken together with antiplatelet drugs like clopidogrel.

Celebrex may interact negatively with the blood pressure medication aliskiren and with ACE inhibitors such as captopril and lisinopril. Celebrex should not be taken together with diuretics (for example, furosemide), with lithium, and with cidofovir – a medication prescribed to treat a certain eye infection in AIDS patients.

Taking Celebrex with a class of drugs, known as angiotensin II receptor blockers, has the same effect. Angiotensin II receptor blockers are prescribed to control high blood pressure, prevent heart failure and deal with kidney failure in diabetics. Examples include the medicines Diovan and Cozaar.

Patients should check the ingredient list of any prescription or over-the-counter pain and fever relievers they plan on taking. Such medications may contain aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen. These drugs are similar to Celebrex and may increase the risk of side effects when taken together.

If directed by their doctor to take low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke, patients should continue to do so unless told otherwise.

Adverse Reactions

Most patients are able to use Celebrex safely and without serious negative side effects.

Common side effects include gas and stomach upset. Patients should alert their doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen.

This medication may raise blood pressure. Patients should monitor their blood pressure regularly and inform their doctor if results are high.

Serious side effects can include severe headache, difficulty swallowing, and pain, swelling, or warmth in the groin or calf area. Some patients may develop kidney problems, which can manifest in symptoms like changes in the amount of urine. It is important to watch for symptoms of heart failure, like the swelling of ankles or feet, unusual tiredness, and unusual or sudden weight gain.

In rare cases, patients may develop serious, possibly fatal liver disease. These symptoms can include dark urine, loss of appetite, and persistent nausea or vomiting. Additional symptoms include severe stomach pain, and yellowing eyes or skin. Seek medical help in the event of such symptoms.

Serious allergic reactions to Celebrex are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergy symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Celebrex

Celebrex should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.