Celebrex (Celecoxib) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in treatment of arthritis, colonic polyps, menstrual cramps and pain. The medicine is designed to reduce symptoms of arthritis. Celebrex may also be applied for acute pain relief and in the case of primary dysmenorrhea to relieve menstrual cramps pain. Patients with familial FAP can use Celecoxib if they have not had their colons removed.
In different cases dose usually amounts: in osteoarthritis treatment - 100 mg twice or 200 mg once a day; for rheumatoid arthritis - 100 or 200 mg twice a day; for acute pain or menstrual cramps - 400 mg as a single dose on the first day, followed by an additional 200 mg as needed, then 200mg twice a day if necessary; for FAP - 400 mg twice daily. Each patient should take the lowest effective dose.
Celecoxib blocks cyclooxygenase 2, the prostaglandins generating enzyme, so prostaglandins concentrations decreases. Prostaglandins significantly contribute to arthritis inflammation, accompanied by pain, swelling, fever and tenderness. As a consequence of Celecoxib use, inflammation reduces, pain, fever, swelling and tenderness become calm. Particular feature of Celecoxib is that it does not interfere with the clotting of blood and causes less stomach/intestine inflammation and ulceration, with short-term treatment at any rate, than other NSAIDs. It was found that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs prevent polyps formation and reduce their size in FAP patients – those with familial adenomatous polyposis genetic disease. FAP patients have large number of polyps developed in their colons, which become malignant invariably. The only available cure of FAP today is to remove the entire colon. Celecoxib is approved for FAP patients as an auxiliary, secondary treatment. Celecoxib blocks the production of prostaglandins and thus reduces the cramps and pain during menstrual periods, caused by prostaglandins.
When you have missed a dose of Celecoxib, you must take it immediately. If too much time passed and it’s time to take the next dose, you may skip missed dose and return to your regular schedule, but you never take 2 doses at once if you got no other directions from your doctor.
The right storage temperature for Celebrex is 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) with temperature deviation between 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F) allowable for brief periods.
Celebrex Safety information
- Taking Celecoxib doesn’t apply any food, beverage or activity restrictions unless your doctor directed otherwise. Stomach and intestinal ulcers may increase while using Celecoxib together with aspirin or other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen etc.
- Fluconazole (Diflucan) inhibits breakdown of Celecoxib in the liver and such increases its concentration in the body, so patients who are taking Fluconazole should start with Celecoxib at the lowest recommended doses.
- Lithium therapy should be closely monitored during and after Celecoxib therapy, because lithium (Eskalith) concentration in the blood increases by 17% while taking Celecoxib.
- No investigation of Celecoxib effects in pregnant women. In studies, doses that were twice the maximally recommended dose were harmful to the animal fetus. Pregnant women should take Celecoxib only if advantages are greater than risk to the fetus. The use of Celecoxib in breast feeding mothers has not been tested.
- Those, who are taking anticoagulant (blood thinner) Warfarin (Coumadin), should have their blood testing is obligatory when starting or changing Celecoxib treatment, particularly in the first few days. Tests will show if there are changes in the effects of anticoagulant. Risk of developing stomach ulcers graws for persons, who drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day, when taking NSAIDs, and Celecoxib as well.
- Celecoxib can provoke allergic reactions. Patient should not take this drug if he/she has developed allergic reactions (itching, difficulty breathing, rash) to sulfonamides (Bactrim etc), aspirin or other NSAIDs, because Celecoxib may provoke an allergic reaction too.
- Celecoxib does not reduce clotting, does not interfere with the function of the blood platelets and does not lead to increased bleeding unlike other NSAIDs.
Celebrex Side effects
With Celecoxib use, stomach and intestinal ulcers occurred more seldom than with other NSAIDs in short-term studies.
Headache, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence and insomnia are the most common side effects. Other side effects may be kidney failure, heart failure, fainting, hypertension aggravation, chest pain, ringing in the ears, deafness, stomach and intestinal ulcers, bleeding, blurred vision, anxiety, photosensitivity, weight gain, water retention, flu-like symptoms, drowsiness and weakness.
