Salient Aspects Of Celebrex

In the wake of recent revelations that Celebrex increases the risk for heart attacks and strokes in people taking this drug, below are the salient aspects of this drug.

Celebrex is marketed and manufactured by Pfizer Inc., and was first approved for use by the FDA in December 1998. This medication is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that is used in the treatment of pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It belongs to a class of drugs known as “Cox-2 Inhibitors”. The basic function of a cox-2 inhibitor is to alleviate inflammation, pain, fever, swelling and tenderness, and at the same time protect the lining of the stomach against ulcers and bleeding.

Celebrex, whose generic name is celecoxib, is also used in the treatment of pain, menstrual cramps and cancerous colorectal polyps. At present there is no generic substitute for Celebrex and it is available by prescription only.

You should not take this medication, if you;

• Have an allergy to sulfonamide drugs such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol) and sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin).
• Have an allergy to celecoxib or any other active ingredients of Celebrex.
• Have or have had asthma, hives or an allergic-type reaction to taking aspirin or other NSAID medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, and others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin).

Inform your doctor about the following, if you are going to take Celebrex;

• Smoke and/or drink alcohol
• have or have had an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach
• have or have had kidney and/or liver disease
• have congestive heart failure or heart disease
• have high blood pressure
• have fluid retention or
• have a coagulation disorder and are taking anticoagulants such as Coumadin or
• are taking steroidal medication like prednisone, methylprednisolone and prednisolone

An important fact about this drug is that although Celebrex does not affect the lining of the stomach muscles, it can in some cases pose a health risk, if you have ever had gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers. The risk for bleeding increases the longer you are on Celebrex and with higher dosages of the medication.

Celebrex like all prescription medication needs to be taken exactly as prescribed. And although it is generally well tolerated in most side effects can and do occur.

Some common side effects include;

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Respiratory infections
• Sinus inflammation

Less common side effects include;

• Back pain
• Dizziness
• Gas
• Insomnia
• Rash
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Swelling

If you experience the following side effects stop Celebrex immediately and speak to you doctor.

• bloody, black or tarry stools
• bloody vomit
• unexplained weight gain
• water retention
• unusual fatigue
• yellowing of the eyes and skin &
• unusual bruising or bleeding

Celebrex also interacts with certain drugs, if you take the following medications, it is important to let your doctor know.

• ACE inhibitors such as Capten, Vasotec & Prinivil
• Fluconazole
• Furosemide
• Lithium
• Thiazide diuretics

A FDA pregnancy category C drug, Celebrex should not be taken during pregnancy or breast feeding. If you do get pregnant while on this drug it is important to inform your doctor.

Also note that Celebrex has not been studied in patients younger than 18 years of age and in people over 65, the side effects of this drug are more likely to be felt.