Brand Name

Celebrex {Pfizer}

Generic Name

celecoxib, pronounced SEL e KOX ib

What is Celebrex?

Celebrex is a medication to help relieve pain and inflammation in your body. This pain may be from conditions such as arthritis, menstrual pain, ankylosing spondylitis, as well as other conditions which may cause you pain and inflammation. Celebrex helps your body by reducing hormones that may be causing you inflammation and pain.

Key Facts About Celebrex

Celebrex is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs.

The use of Celebrex may cause heart or circulation problems, which can be life threatening. These problems may include heart attack or stroke, particularly if you use Celebrex on a long-term basis.

You should not use Celebrex before or after heart bypass surgery.

Celebrex may rarely cause serious intestinal or stomach bleeding or perforations (forming of holes). These conditions are more likely to happen to older adults, and they can occur without warning and be fatal. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms which may indicate intestinal bleeding, like tarry or bloody stools, or if you cough or vomit blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Celebrex. You increase your risk of stomach bleeding if you drink alcohol while taking Celebrex.

Celebrex may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before You Take Celebrex

If you are allergic tocelecoxib you should not take Celebrex.

If you have an allergy or a history of allergic reactions to aspirin, sulfa drugs, or other NSAIDs you should not take Celebrex.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Celebrex is in FDA pregnancy category D. If you take Celebrex during the last 3 months of your pregnancy it may harm your unborn baby. Celebrex passes into breast milk and may affect your baby if you are nursing. You should not take Celebrex if you are breast-feeding.

Celebrex should not be given to a child younger than 2 years of age without a doctor’s approval.

Ask your doctor before you take any cold, allergy, or pain medications, as many of these may be similar to celecoxib, especially those that are combination treatments.

You should not take other NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen while you are taking Celebrex.

Celebrex Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), or ramipril (Altace)
• antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft)
• candesartan (Atacand)
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze)
• diflunisal (Dolobid)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• eprosartan (Teveten)
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• furosemide (Lasix)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide)
• ketoprofen (Orudis)
• ketorolac (Toradol)
• mefenamic acid (Ponstel)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar)
• nabumetone (Relafen)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)
• olmesartan (Benicar)
• piroxicam (Feldene)
• telmisartan (Micardis)
• valsartan (Diovan)
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Celebrex. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Celebrex

Celebrex may be taken with or without food. If you are concerned that Celebrex may upset your stomach you may take it with food or milk to lessen any potential stomach upset.

Celebrex capsules may also be opened and sprinkled into a spoonful of applesauce or pudding to make swallowing it easier. Be sure to swallow the mixture right away without chewing it. If you do not use the mixture right away, you can refrigerate it for up to 6 hours before taking it. Be sure to discard your empty capsule.

You should take Celebrex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Celebrex in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may want to have your blood tested often if you take Celebrex long-term.

You should avoid direct sunlight while taking Celebrex, as well as tanning beds. Celebrex can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing outside and use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

Celebrex needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Celebrex you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Celebrex Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Celebrex and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• bloody, black or tarry stools
• bruising
• clay-colored stools
• chest pain
• coughing up blood, or vomit, that looks like coffee grounds
• itching and skin rash
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin)
• loss of appetite
• muscle pain
• nausea
• numbness or tingling
• problems with balance or vision
• rapid weight gain
• shortness of breath
• skin pain, flowed by a purple or red rash which spread, mostly in your face or upper body, and causes blistering or peeling
• slurred speech
• swelling of your face, tongue, extremities
• upper stomach pain
• urinating less than normal or not at all
• weakness

Less serious side effects of Celebrex may include:

• bloating
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• gas
• headache
• mild skin rash
• nervousness
• runny or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• upset stomach

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Celebrex. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Celebrex Description and Dosing

Celebrex capsules are available in dosages of 50 milligrams, 100 milligrams, 200 milligrams and 400 milligrams.

The 50 milligram capsules are white, with reverse printed white on red on the band of the body and cap. Markings are 7767, which is on the cap and 50 on the body of the capsule.

The 100 milligram capsules are white, with reverse printed white on blue on the band of the body and cap. Markings are 7767, which is on the cap and 100 on the body of the capsule.

The 200 milligram capsules are white, with reverse printed white on gold on the band with markings of 7767 on the cap and 200 on the body.

The 400 milligram capsules are white, with reverse printed white on green on the band with markings of 7767 on the cap and 400 on the body.

Adults with acute pain are typically dosed with 400 milligrams initially, followed by 200 milligrams if needed on the first day only. After the first day the dose is usually 200 milligrams, twice daily.

All people taking Celebrex should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Celebrex you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Celebrex

The primary active ingredient in Celebrex is celecoxib. Other ingredients include croscarmellose sodium, edible inks, gelatin, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone and sodium lauryl sulfate.

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.