Bextra

Valdecoxib, also known and sold under the trade name of Bextra, is a product which belongs to the group of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

This product is used to treat the symptoms caused by rheumatism – e.g. inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.

This medication does not cure rheumatism, it only relieves the symptoms. Valdecoxib is available in the form of a tablet.

This product was voluntarily withdrawn from the market, and it is no longer available to be used, due to the noticed increased risk of heart problems and skin reactions.

Before you start the treatment with this product, it is very important to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as about the potential risks and side effects.

Before the decision to start the treatment is made, it is essential for the beneficial effects to outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together will have to make.

During the consultations with your doctor, it is important to inform the doctor about:

Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any other allergic reactions to any kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.

Pediatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in pediatric patients. Because of this, it should be used only if the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Geriatric – Proper studies done have confirmed that there are no age-connected risks when this medication has been used in geriatric patients. However, because of the increased sensitivity of geriatric patients, the product should be used with extra caution.

Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

It is unknown how this product would affect the fetus. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers.

It is unknown if this product is extracted in the milk, or how would it affect the infant. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea.

This is important because certain medications should not be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur.

However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of combination, including two or more medications to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.

Other interactions – Certain medications should not be used in a combination with specific types of food, tobacco, and alcohol.

Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet and discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol. During the treatment with this medication do not drink alcohol, due to the increased risk.

Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment.

Especially inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present:

• alcohol abuse
• bleeding problems
• poor general health
• tobacco use
• stomach problems
• asthma or inflammation to the nose
• anemia
• dehydration
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• allergy to aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory medicines, and etc

For proper use, follow the directions given by your doctor. This medication is taken orally. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet. Take the tablet whole with water.

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. Remember to use the medication regularly, as directed by the doctor in order to get the most beneficial effects from it.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. If an overdose is suspected, inform the doctor for further directions.

Visit your doctor at your scheduled appointments so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed.

These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – e.g. the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment if there are any serious side effects present that would cause your condition to worsen, or if your condition does not improve.

Inform the doctor if there is any allergic reaction to any kind of medication, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this product may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur.

Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. This is important because this medication should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. This is important because this medication should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. Do not drink alcohol during the treatment with this product.

Along with the beneficial effects, there is the possibility that certain side effects could occur. These side effects could be mild or more serious, also they could be mild or more serious.

These side effects do not occur in all patients. It is essential to get informed about the potential side effects so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Common side effects – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, stomach cramps, headache, cough, and others. These side effects are not considered to be serious, but if their presence worsens or persist, inform the doctor right away.

Serious side effects – high blood pressure, hives, anemia, stroke, yellowing of the skin/eyes and others. If any of these side effects appear, inform the doctor as soon as possible.

A serious allergic reaction to this medication is rare, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, swelling/itching of the hands/feet/face/tongue, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.