Celebrex (Celecoxib)

Celebrex General Product Information

Celebrex belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). It is also used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis that affects children) in children 2 years of age and older. Celebrex is also used to treat painful menstrual periods and to relieve other types of short term pain including pain caused by injuries, surgery and other medical or dental procedures, or medical conditions that last for a limited time. Celebrex is in a class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain and inflammation.

Celebrex Direction For Use

Celebrex comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. If you are taking up to 200 mg of Celebrex at a time, you may take the medication with or without food. If you are taking more than 200 mg of Celebrex at a time, you should take the medication with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you need to take your medication with food. To help you remember to take Celebrex, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Celebrex exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you cannot swallow the capsules or if you are giving this medication to a child, you may open the capsules and sprinkle the contents over a teaspoon of cold or room temperature applesauce. You may prepare the mixture in advance and store it for up to 6 hours in a refrigerator. When you are ready to take your medication, swallow all of the mixture. Then drink water to wash down the mixture and be sure that you have swallowed all of it.

Celebrex is also sometimes used with surgery and other treatments to reduce the number of polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon (large intestine) and rectum in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (a condition in which hundreds or thousands of polyps form in the colon and cancer may develop). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

Celebrex Special Precautions

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Celebrex, aspirin or other nsaids such as ibuprofen and naproxen, sulfa medications, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in Celebrex capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the important warning section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors such as benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, and trandolapril; angiotensin ii receptor antagonists such as candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, and valsartan; anticoagulants such as warfarin;diuretics; fluconazole; and lithium. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the important warning section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps; swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or liver or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Celebrex, call your doctor. If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Celebrex.

Celebrex Common Use

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Celebrex exactly as directed.
The usual dosage is:
For osteoarthritis - 200 mg once daily or 100 mg twice daily.
For rheumatoid arthritis - 100 to 200 mg twice daily.
For juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: 50 mg twice daily in patients 10-25 kg, 100 mg twice daily in patients more than 25 kg
For ankylosing spondylitis - 200 mg once daily single dose or 100 mg twicedaily. If no effect is observed after 6 weeks, a trial of 400 mg (single or divided doses) may be of benefit.
For acute pain and primary dysmenorrhea - 400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg dose if needed on first day. On subsequent days, 200 mg twice daily as needed.
For familial adenomatous polyposis: 400 mg twice daily with food, as an adjunct to usual care.

Buy Celebrex Online

The Celebrex price depends on several factors. The first is whether you choose to buy brand Celebrex or buy generic Celecoxib. Cheaper generic drugs have the same active medicinal ingredient as brand name drugs; there may be superficial differences and the non-active ingredients may vary slightly between generic Celecoxib and brand name Celebrex. The second factor in determining cost is where you choose to buy Celebrex. When you compare the prices to buy Celebrex or generic Celecoxib online at proven Pharmacy, you can see that the price of generic Celecoxib is approximately one half of the brand name Celebrex prescription.

Celebrex Possible Side Effects

Celebrex may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• gas or bloating
• sore throat
• cold symptoms

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the important warning section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more Celebrex until you speak to your doctor.

• unexplained weight gain
• nausea
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• itching
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• flu-like symptoms
• blisters
• fever
• rash
• hives
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• pale skin
• fast heartbeat
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination
• frequent urination, especially at night

Celebrex may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

What is the Cost of Celebrex?

Celebrex have principally analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory actions. Celebrex do not bind to opioid receptors and not classified under the Controlled Substances. The Celebrex Savings Card allows eligible patients to pay as little as $4 every time they get a 30-day fill of Celebrex - and could save more than $1,500 a year. If you have a prescription for brand-name Celebrex, you can use the card. Prescription Celebrex should be used exactly as prescribed at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time needed. Generic Celebrex (celecoxib) also has been approved by the FDA and may be available at some online pharmacies. For many years, Celebrex has been prescribed to more than 35 million patients. If you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis pain, ask your doctor about Celebrex.

Taking Celebrex

How am I supposed to take Celebrex?

Your doctor will prescribe a specific dose of Celebrex for you based on your diagnosis. Please ask your doctor about further dosing instructions, because Celebrex should only be taken as prescribed.

Can Celebrex be taken with low-dose aspirin?

Do not use low-dose aspirin with Celebrex until you talk to your healthcare provider. Use of Celebrex and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the increased risk of bleeding. Celebrex is not a substitute for low-dose aspirin for heart protection.

Do I take Celebrex with or without food?

You can take Celebrex with or without food. However, it’s good to establish a daily routine for taking Celebrex, so find a time that works best for you and try to stick with it.

How long do I have to stay on Celebrex?

Talk to your doctor about your treatment plan because Celebrex should always be taken as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible, and for the shortest time needed. However, if you have any side effects, tell your doctor immediately, as he or she may have to change your treatment.

What should I do if I think I may have taken too much Celebrex?

If you are concerned that you may have exceeded the recommended dosage of Celebrex, please call your doctor or go to an emergency care facility or get medical help right away.

Can I take 2 Celebrex at once (or per day) if 1 is not working?

Speak to your doctor before increasing or changing your dosage.

Do I need to avoid alcohol or smoking while taking Celebrex?

Drinking alcohol and/or smoking increases the risk of getting an ulcer or experiencing stomach bleeding. Be sure to let your doctor know if you drink alcohol or smoke.

Do I have to swallow the capsules whole?

If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, the contents of a Celebrex capsule can be added to applesauce. Carefully empty the entire contents of the capsule onto a level teaspoon of cool or room temperature applesauce and take immediately with water.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

If you miss a dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, because Celebrex should always be taken as prescribed by your doctor.

What do I do if I’m taking other medications?

It is very important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about any over-the-counter and prescription medications that you are taking. You should also tell them about any herbal and nutritional supplements you take.

You may want to make a list of everything you are taking and share it with your doctor. In particular, be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking:

• Corticosteroids
• ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II antagonists
• Warfarin or similar blood-thinning agents
• Fluconazole
• Furosemide
• Lithium
• Methotrexate
• Aspirin
• Other NSAIDs

Can I take over-the-counter pain relievers while taking Celebrex?

Be sure to ask your doctor about any over-the-counter medicines and herbal or nutritional supplements you are taking or thinking about taking. Celebrex is an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), and many over-the-counter pain relievers are also NSAIDs. Therefore, they should be avoided while taking Celebrex, due to a potential increased risk of side effects.

How should I store my Celebrex?

You can store your Celebrex at room temperature. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Throw away your medicine if it is expired or if you no longer use it.