If you will be taking CELEBREX for a long time, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.

Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink alcoholic beverages while being treated with CELEBREX. Therefore, do not regularly drink alcoholic beverages while taking CELEBREX, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Taking two or more of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs together on a regular basis may increase the chance of unwanted effects. Also, taking acetaminophen, aspirin or other salicylates, or ketorolac (e.g., Toradol) regularly while you are taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may increase the chance of unwanted effects. The risk will depend on how much of each medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the medicines together. If your health care professional directs you to take these medicines together on a regular basis, follow his or her directions carefully. However, do not take acetaminophen or aspirin or other salicylates together with CELEBREX for more than a few days, and do not take any ketorolac (e.g., Toradol) while you are taking CELEBREX, unless your doctor has directed you to do so and is following your progress.

Serious side effects can occur during treatment with CELEBREX. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without any warning. However, possible warning signs often occur, including swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain; and/or skin rash. Stop taking CELEBREX and check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Check with your doctor immediately if fever, drowsiness, itching of the skin, tiredness, nausea, or stomach pain occurs; these effects may be the first signs of liver toxicity.

Celecoxib may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients who are allergic to aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or sulfonamide-type drugs. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, wheezing, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in color of the skin of the face; very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse; hive-like swellings on the skin; and puffiness or swellings of the eyelids or around the eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency help at once. Ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital emergency room. If this is not possible, do not try to drive yourself. Call an ambulance, lie down, cover yourself to keep warm, and prop your feet higher than your head. Stay in that position until help arrives.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Cough;  fever;  skin rash;  sneezing;  sore throat;  swelling of face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs 
  
  

• Less common or rare
  • Bloody or black tarry stools;  burning feeling in chest or stomach;  chills;  congestion in chest;  cough;  diarrhea;  fatigue;  fever;  loss of appetite;  muscle aches and pains;  nausea;  shortness of breath;  stomach pain (severe);  tenderness in stomach area;  unusual weight gain;  vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds;  weakness 
  
  

• Symptoms of overdose
  • Bloody or black, tarry stools;  continuing thirst;  dizziness;  drowsiness ;  headache, severe or continuing;  nausea and/or vomiting;  shortness of breath;  stomach pain;  sudden decrease in the amount of urine;  swelling of face, fingers, and/or lower legs;  tightness in chest and/or wheezing;  troubled breathing;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds;  weight gain 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Back pain;  dizziness;  gas;  headache;  heartburn ;  inability to sleep;  nausea ;  pain or burning in throat;  stomach pain;  stuffy or runny nose 
  
  

• Less common
  • Anxiety;  blurred vision;  buzzing or ringing noise in ears;  change in sense of taste;  constipation;  decreased appetite;  depression;  difficulty swallowing;  dry mouth;  fast heartbeat;  increased sweating;  joint or muscle pain or stiffness;  loss of energy or weakness;  nervousness;  numbness or tingling in fingers and/or toes;  pain or burning in throat;  pounding heartbeat;  sleepiness;  sudden sweating and feelings of warmth;  unusual tiredness;  vomiting 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.