Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Celebrex

Generic Name: celecoxib (oral) (Pronunciation: SEL e KOX ib)

• What is celecoxib (Celebrex)?
• What are the possible side effects of celecoxib (Celebrex)?
• What is the most important information I should know about celecoxib (Celebrex)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking celecoxib (Celebrex)?
• How should I take celecoxib (Celebrex)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Celebrex)?
• What happens if I overdose (Celebrex)?
• What should I avoid while taking celecoxib (Celebrex)?
• What other drugs will affect celecoxib (Celebrex)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is celecoxib (Celebrex)?

Celecoxib is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Celecoxib works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Celecoxib is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain. Celecoxib is also used in the treatment of hereditary polyps in the colon

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

Celebrex 100 mg

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Celebrex 200 mg

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Celebrex 400 mg

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What are the possible side effects of celecoxib (Celebrex)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking celecoxib and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• swelling or rapid weight gain;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;
• bloating, gas;
• dizziness, nervousness, headache;
• skin rash, itching;
• blurred vision; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about celecoxib (Celebrex)?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use celecoxib. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking celecoxib. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Do not drink alcohol while taking celecoxib. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by celecoxib.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many pain medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to celecoxib. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication.