General
Description & Use
What
is Celebrex?
Celebrex is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). Celebrex works by reducing hormones that cause
inflammation and pain in the body. Celebrex is used to treat pain
or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing
spondylitis, and menstrual pain. It is also used in the treatment
of hereditary polyps in the colon. Celebrex may also be used for
other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important
information about Celebrex
Celebrex can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation
problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase
the longer you use Celebrex. Do not use this medicine just before
or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery
bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek
emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation
problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred
speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine can also increase your risk of
serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding
or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal
and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any
time while you are taking Celebrex. Older adults may have an even
greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your
stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools,
or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Celebrex. Alcohol
can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by Celebrex.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication
without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many pain medicines
available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines
similar to Celebrex. If you take certain products together you
may accidentally take too much of this type of medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider
before taking Celebrex?
Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart
or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This
risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this
medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also
called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). NSAIDs can also
increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines,
including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions
can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning
at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have
an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to celecoxib,
or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin, sulfa
drugs, or other NSAIDs.
Before taking Celebrex tell your doctor if you
are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
