Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain and help relieve symptoms of arthritis (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), such as
However, this medicine does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it.
Celecoxib is also used to treat ankylosing spondylitis, which is a type of arthritis that affects the joints in the spine. This medicine may also be used to treat acute pain and menstrual cramps.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.
For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric Population
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of celecoxib in children 2 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.
Geriatric Population
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of celecoxib in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney or stomach problems, which may require caution.
Pregnancy
1st Trimester
Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.
2nd Trimester
Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.
3rd Trimester
Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease, may outweigh the potential risk.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Ketorolac
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.
If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Sulfa or sulfonamide allergy (e.g., sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, or Septra®)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Heart surgery (e.g., coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] surgery)—This medicine should not be used to relieve pain right before or after the surgery.
Certain genetic conditions (poor CYP2C9 (a liver enzyme) metabolizers) or
Liver disease, mild or moderate—Use with caution. You may need a reduced dose of this medicine.
3 Proper Usage
For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Taking too much of this medicine may increase the chance of unwanted effects.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
If you cannot swallow the capsule, you may open it and pour the medicine to a teaspoon of cool or room temperature applesauce. This mixture must be swallowed right away without chewing and followed with a glass of water to make sure all of the mixture is swallowed.
Any medicine that has been mixed with applesauce may be stored in a refrigerator and used within 6 hours.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (capsules)
For acute pain or pain during menstruation
Adults
At first, 400 milligrams (mg). A second dose of 200 mg can be taken if needed on the first day. Then, 200 mg two times a day as needed. Children
Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For ankylosing spondylitis or osteoarthritis
Adults
200 milligrams (mg) once a day or 100 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
Children
Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Adults
100 to 200 milligrams (mg) two times a day.
Children 2 years of age and older and weighing more than 25 kilograms (kg)
Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 100 milligrams (mg) two times a day.
Children 2 years of age and older and weighing less than 25 kilograms (kg)
Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 50 milligrams (mg) two times a day.
Children younger than 2 years of age
Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
4 Precautions to Take
It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Heart Attack, Stroke
This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.
Bleeding
This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you or your child have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, are over 60 years of age, are in poor health, or using certain other medicines (such as steroids or a blood thinner).
Using this medication in certain patients under the age of 18 for the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation (bleeding problem). Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this .
Skin Reactions
Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine:
Taking two or more of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) together on a regular basis may increase the chance of unwanted effects. Also, taking acetaminophen, aspirin or other salicylates, or ketorolac (e.g., Toradol) regularly while you are taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may increase the chance of unwanted effects. The risk will depend on how much of each medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the medicines together.
If your doctor tells you to take these medicines together on a regular basis, follow his or her directions carefully. However, do not take acetaminophen or aspirin or other salicylates together with this medicine for more than a few days, and do not take any ketorolac (e.g., Toradol) while you are taking this medicine, unless your doctor has directed you to do so and is following your progress.
Some possible warning signs of serious side effects that can occur during treatment with this medicine may include
Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.
Anaphylaxis
Celecoxib may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur more often in patients who are allergic to aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or sulfonamide-type drugs. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
and puffiness or swellings of the eyelids or around the eyes.
If these effects occur, get emergency help at once. Ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital emergency room. If this is not possible, do not try to drive yourself. Call an ambulance, lie down, cover yourself to keep warm, and prop your feet higher than your head. Stay in that position until help arrives.
Pregnancy
Using this medicine during the later part of pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Tell your doctor if you or your child have unexplained weight gain or edema (fluid retention or body swelling) with this medicine.
Surgery, medical tests
Before having any kind of surgery or medical tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. It may be necessary for you to stop treatment for a while, or to change to a different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug before your procedure.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
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