IMPORTANT NOTE: The following
information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician,
pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should
not be construed to indicate that use of the drug
is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before using this drug.
CELECOXIB - ORAL (sell-eh-COX-ib)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Celebrex
USES: This medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID) which relieves pain and inflammation
(swelling). It is used to treat pain, swelling and
stiffness due to arthritis. This drug works by blocking
the enzyme in your body that makes prostaglandins.
Decreasing prostaglandins helps to reduce pain and
swelling.
HOW TO USE: Take by mouth, generally once or
twice daily, as directed by your doctor. To decrease
the chance of stomach upset, this drug is best taken
with food. Dosage is based on your medical condition
and response to therapy. Take this medication with
6 to 8 ounces (180-240ml) of water. Do not lie down
for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug.
SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach upset, diarrhea, gas
or nausea may occur. If these effects persist or worsen,
notify your doctor promptly. Very unlikely but report
promptly: unusual fatigue, yellowing eyes or skin,
severe headache, unexplained weight gain, change in
amount of urine. If you notice any of the following
unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking
this drug and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately:
black stools, persistent stomach/ abdominal pain,
vomit that looks like coffee grounds. In the unlikely
event you have an allergic reaction to this drug,
seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic
reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness
or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects
not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical
history, including: allergies (especially allergies
to drugs such as sulfas or NSAID like ibuprofen),
kidney problems, liver problems, heart disease, alcohol
use, high blood pressure, swelling (edema), blood
disorders (anemia), serious infections, stomach problems
(bleeding or ulcers), asthma, growths in the nose
(nasal polyps), dehydration, poorly controlled diabetes.
This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use
of alcohol, especially when combined with this medicine,
may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Check
with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed
during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It is not
recommended for use during the last 6 months of pregnancy.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It
is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast
milk. Due to the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding
while using this drug is not recommended. Consult
your doctor before breast-feeding. Caution is advised
when this drug is used in the elderly, as they may
be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all
prescription and nonprescription medications you use,
especially of: fluconazole, lithium, "water pills"
(diuretics, e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide),
drugs for high blood pressure, ACE inhibitors (e.g.,
captopril, lisinopril), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone),
"blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), NSAID
(e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen). Check all prescription
and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since
many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs
such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) that are
similar to this drug. Aspirin, as prescribed by your
doctor for reasons such as heart attack or stroke
prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 mg per
day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or
pharmacist for more details. Do not start or stop
any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact
your local poison control center or emergency room
immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe
stomach pain, coffee ground-like vomit, dark stool,
ringing in the ears, change in amount of urine, unusually
fast or slow heartbeat, muscle weakness, slow or shallow
breathing, confusion, severe headache or loss of consciousness.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed to
monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as
soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the
next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual
dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the
dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between
59 and 86 degrees F (15 - 30 degrees C) away from
light and moisture.
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