Celecoxib

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in adults.

How does it work?

• Celecoxib reduces inflammation and pain. It blocks production and release of chemicals that cause pain and inflammation.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Make sure that this medicine is a white capsule with two blue or yellow stripes on it. Call pharmacy if different.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases in stomach irritation.
• If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased shortness of breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have high blood pressure Your blood pressure may increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, and vitamin E while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may be instructed to stop this medication for a while before any procedure. Ask for specific instructions about the time for stopping and restarting.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine, especially sulfonamides. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, diarrhea, gas.
• Stomach bleeding or ulceration. Watch stools for dark, tarry black color.

What should I monitor?

• Relief of symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up blood.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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