Celebrex FAQs

Why is celebrex prescribed?

Celecoxib is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis and to treat painful menstrual periods and pain from other causes. It is also used to reduce the number of polyps in the colon and rectum in patients with a disease called familial adenomatous polposis. Celecoxib is in a class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) called COX-2 inhibitors. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain and inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors may cause less stomach bleeding and ulcers than similar medications.

How should celebrex be used?

Celecoxib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. For the treatment of familial adenomatous polposis, celecoxib is taken twice a day with food. To help you remember to take celecoxib, take it around the same time every day. 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.

Other uses for celebrex

celebrex may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

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 drugs, or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; diuretics ('water pills'); fluconazole (Diflucan); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you smoke or drink large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease; heart failure; high blood pressure; asthma; or any stomach problems, including ulcers or bleeding.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or 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.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose of celebrex?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can celebrex cause?

Celecoxib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• gas or bloating
• sore throat

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

• black and tarry stools
• red blood in stools
• bloody vomit
• vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds
• 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
• rash
• pale skin
• unexplained weight gain
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing or breathing

Celecoxib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking celebrex.

What storage conditions are needed for celebrex ?

Keep celebrex in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• lack of energy
• drowsiness
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to celecoxib.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Why is celebrex prescribed?

Celecoxib is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis and to treat painful menstrual periods and pain from other causes. It is also used to reduce the number of polyps in the colon and rectum in patients with a disease called familial adenomatous polposis. Celecoxib is in a class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) called COX-2 inhibitors. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain and inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors may cause less stomach bleeding and ulcers than similar medications.

How should celebrex be used?

Celecoxib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. For the treatment of familial adenomatous polposis, celecoxib is taken twice a day with food. To help you remember to take celecoxib, take it around the same time every day. 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.

Other uses for celebrex

celebrex may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

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 drugs, or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; diuretics ('water pills'); fluconazole (Diflucan); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you smoke or drink large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease; heart failure; high blood pressure; asthma; or any stomach problems, including ulcers or bleeding.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or 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.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose of celebrex?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can celebrex cause?

Celecoxib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• gas or bloating
• sore throat

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

• black and tarry stools
• red blood in stools
• bloody vomit
• vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds
• 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
• rash
• pale skin
• unexplained weight gain
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing or breathing

Celecoxib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking celebrex.

What storage conditions are needed for celebrex ?

Keep celebrex in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• lack of energy
• drowsiness
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to celecoxib.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.