|
|
Description
Celebrex is a drug that helps relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. The reason that Celebrex has become so popular is because it is easier on the stomach than oth
er anti-arthritis medication. Celebrex is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis. This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAI
D) known as a COX-2 inhibitor used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Reporting on the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Decembe
r, thirdage.com reported that in analysis of 800 arthritis patients, more than one-third had stopped taking medications because they couldn't handle the stomach pains associated with the drugs.
|
Drug Interactions
If Celebrex is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Celebrex with the
following:
- ACE-inhibitors (a type of blood pressure and heart medication, including such drugs as Capoten, Vasotec, and Prinivil)
- Blood thinning agents such as Coumadin
- Fluco
nazole (Diflucan)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- Thiazide diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide and Dyazide
If you take low-dose aspirin t
o protect against heart attack, you can continue taking it with Celebrex.
|
How should you take this medication?
Celecoxib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any par
t 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.
|
|
|
|
Before Using This Medicine
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of celecoxib. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse or
- Bleeding probl
ems or
- Stomach ulcer or other stomach or intestinal problems or
- Tobacco use (or recent history of)¡XThe chance of side effects may be increased
- Anemia or
- Asthma or
- D
hydration or
- Fluid retention (swelling of feet or lower legs) or
- Heart disease or
- High blood pressure or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease¡XCelecoxib may make these co
ditions worse
|
Overdose
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Celebrex overdose may include:
Breathing diffic
ulties, coma, drowsiness, gastrointestinal bleeding, high blood pressure, kidney failure, nausea, sluggishness, stomach pain, vomiting
|
What side effects can this medication cause?
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:
- Bloody or black tarry stools; burning feeling in chest or stomach; chills; congestion in chest; cough; diarrhea; fati
gue; 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 l
ooks like coffee grounds; weakness
|
|
