Celebrex

Celebrex is an anti-inflammatory medication that is nonsteroidal. Celebrex reduces the pain of joint inflammation by reducing the hormones responsible for the inflammation and pain.

Celebrex is an NSAID pain reliever in the same family as aspirin and ibuprofen. However, it is stronger and as such does require a prescription from a doctor. Celebrex does not cause as much inflammation of the stomach and is less likely to cause ulceration than other NSAIDs at least with short-term use of the medication. Also, unlike other NSAID pain relievers, Celebrex does not interfere with blood clotting medications such as coumadin.

People with arthritis and other painful joint conditions are usually people doctors prescribe Celebrex for.

Celebrex Warnings and Precautions

Patients should tell their doctor or pharmacist of any allergies to sulfa drugs, aspirin, NSAID pain relievers, COX-2 inhibitors and any other allergies.

Patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma or with a recent history of heart bypass surgery should not take Celebrex.

Patients should tell their doctor and their pharmacist of their medical history, particularly any history of blood flow problems to the brain, kidney and liver problems, heart disease, alcohol use, swelling, blood disorders, serious infections, problems of the stomach, intestine and the esophagus, bleeding and clotting problems, asthma, nasal polyps, dehydration and poorly controlled diabetes.

Celebrex Uses

Doctors usually prescribe Celebrex for patients suffering from arthritis or other conditions that cause inflammation of the joints. Celebrex blocks the enzyme the makes prostaglandins, which reduces the concentration of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the chemicals that contribute to the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Celebrex does not cure arthritis or prevent the progression of arthritis. Doctors sometimes prescribe Celebrex to women in an effort to treat the pain of menstrual cramps and to treat acute pain in both men and women.

Daily use of tobacco and alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and kidney problems when taking Celebrex.

The risk of developing bleeding in the stomach increases in the elderly and children.

Celebrex Side Effects

Common side effects of Celebrex use include abdominal pain, headaches, dyspepsia, nausea, flatulence, diarrhea and insomnia. Other side effects include fainting, heart and kidney failure, agitation of hypertension, chest pain, ringing in the ears, deafness, stomach ulcers, intestinal ulcers, bleeding, burry vision, anxiety, weight gain, photosensitivity, water retention, drowsiness, weakness and symptoms similar to flu.

Celebrex Interactions

Patients should not take Celebrex with full strength aspirin and most other NSAID pain relievers because it may increase the risk of developing a stomach ulcer or intestinal ulcers. Low dose aspirin is still acceptable in most cases.

Patients taking Diflucan should take the lowest dose of Celebrex that is available. This is due to the fact that Diflucan increases the concentration of Celebrex in the liver. Celebrex also increases the concentration of lithium in the body and can cause lithium toxicity. Patients taking lithium should talk with their doctor about the possible complications of lithium therapy in combination with Celebrex use.

While Celebrex use does not usually cause issues with blood thinning drugs like coumadin, patients taking Celebrex and coumadin should have blood tests when starting Celebrex treatment, particularly in the first several days. The blood tests will check for any change in the effect of the coumadin therapy.

Patients who drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day increase their risk of developing stomach ulcers when taking NSAIDs and this can hold true with Celebrex use.

Pregnant women should not use Celebrex particularly later into the pregnancy. Studies show that Celebrex increases the risk of heart defects in the newborn. Studies also show the nursing mothers can pass Celebrex to their babies through breast milk, therefore women who are nursing should not take Celebrex or if they want to continue treatment with Celebrex they should not breastfeed their babies.

Celebrex Overdose

Symptoms of Celebrex overdose include severe stomach pain, changes in the amount of urine, slow or shallow breathing, severe headache or loss of consciousness and vomit that appears to have coffee grounds in it. If there is suspicion of a Celebrex overdose, immediate medical attention is necessary.