Celebrex (celecoxib) belongs to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It 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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Celebrex may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use Celebrex just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
Celebrex may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking Celebrex, especially in older adults.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Celebrex. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Medicines similar to celecoxib are contained in many combination medicines. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
Before taking this medicine
Do not use Celebrex just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Celebrex may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term.
This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking Celebrex, especially in older adults.
You should not use Celebrex if you are allergic to celecoxib, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin, sulfa drugs, or other NSAIDs.
To make sure you can safely take Celebrex, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
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heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
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a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
- liver or kidney disease,
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a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;
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asthma;
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polyps in your nose; or
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a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
FDA pregnancy category D. Taking Celebrex during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Celebrex. Celecoxib passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Celebrex without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How should I take Celebrex?
Take Celebrex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take Celebrex with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
You may open the Celebrex capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow right away without chewing. Discard the empty capsule. If you do not take the mixture right away, keep it in the refrigerator and take it within 6 hours.
If you use Celebrex long-term, your blood will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Celebrex is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.
What should I avoid?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Avoid taking Celebrex together with other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), or piroxicam (Feldene).
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Medicines similar to celecoxib are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain type of drug Check the label to see if a medicine contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Celebrex can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Celebrex side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Celebrex: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Celebrex and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
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black, bloody, or tarry stools;
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coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
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swelling or rapid weight gain;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
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severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious Celebrex side effects may include:
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upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, gas;
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dizziness, nervousness, headache;
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runny or stuffy nose, sore throat; or
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mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
Celebrex dosing information
Usual Adult Celebrex Dose for Pain:
Acute pain: 400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg if needed on the first day. Then, 200 mg twice daily as needed.
Usual Adult Dose for Dysmenorrhea:
400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg if needed on the first day. Then, 200 mg twice daily as needed.
Usual Adult Celebrex Dose for Osteoarthritis:
200 mg orally once daily or 100 mg orally twice daily.
Usual Adult Celebrex Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:
100 to 200 mg orally twice daily.
Usual Adult Dose for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis:
400 mg orally twice daily with food.
Usual Adult Celebrex Dose for Ankylosing Spondylitis:
200 mg orally once daily or 100 mg orally twice daily. If after 6 weeks of therapy no results are observed, a trial dose of 400 mg orally daily may be worthwhile. If no response is seen after 6 weeks, consideration should be given to alternate treatment options.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:
2 years or older:
10 to less than or equal to 25 kg: 50 mg orally twice daily
Greater than 25 kg: 100 mg orally twice daily
What other drugs will affect Celebrex?
Ask your doctor before using an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
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a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix);
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fluconazole (Diflucan);
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lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
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a heart or blood pressure medication such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), valsartan (Diovan), telmisartan (Micardis), or olmesartan (Benicar); or
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an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Celebrex. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
