Type of medicine: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); COX-2 inhibitor; analgesic
Generic and brand names: celecoxib, oral; Celebrex
This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) taken by mouth to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
This medicine is also taken to relieve:
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you smoke or drink alcohol. Alcohol and smoking may increase the risk of ulcers or stomach bleeding.
Tell your provider if you have recently had heart surgery. Also tell your provider if you are taking one aspirin a day for heart disease or stroke, or if you take other medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Do not take this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy. You may need to stop breast-feeding while taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more than prescribed because of the risk of side effects.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water. If you have trouble swallowing, the capsule may be opened and the powder sprinkled on soft food such as applesauce. Then drink a full glass of water.
Ask your healthcare provider how long you should take this medicine. If you are taking it for osteoarthritis, you may need to take it for a long time to continue to relieve your pain.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing blood, shallow breathing, fainting, coma.
Warning: Occasionally, this medicine may cause bleeding, ulcers, or perforation of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. These problems may occur with or without warning symptoms. If you have abdominal pain, a black tarry stool, or a bloody stool, stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away.
Taking this medicine for a long time may make it more likely that you will have a heart attack or stroke. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
You may need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Do not take other pain relievers or drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine cannot take the place of aspirin for the prevention of heart attacks or strokes. If you are taking aspirin for these purposes, do not discontinue the aspirin without the approval of your healthcare provider.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
If you drink alcohol, smoke, or are over the age of 65, you may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing); sudden severe headache; slurred speech; weakness on one side of your body; chest pain.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Mouth sores; blisters; stiff neck; confusion; bloody, dark, or tarry stools; unusual bleeding or bruising; abdominal pain; unexplained tiredness; loss of appetite; fever; muscle and joint pains; yellow skin or eyes; dark colored urine; pale stools; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; swelling of the hands, ankles or feet, or any unexplained swelling; decreased urination; wheezing; irregular heart beat.
Other: Upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, chest infection, runny nose, dizziness, sensitivity to the sun, headache, trouble sleeping, back pain, joint pain, nausea, sore throat, hoarse voice.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
