About Celebrex
The information below about Celebrex should not be taken as a substitute for qualified medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking Celebrex.
Celebrex is the brand name under which the pharmaceutical company Pfizer markets the non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory (NSAID) prescription medication celecoxib, used to treat pain associated with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis as well as menstrual cramps.
Celcoxib specifically blocks the Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzymes in the stomach which produce prostaglandins. Among other effects, prostaglandins work to regulate the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. Reducing prostaglandins helps decrease the pain and swelling associated with arthritis.
The usual Celebrex dosage for arthritis pain is 100 to 200 mg, taken once or twice a day. Celebrex can also be prescribed on a prn (as needed) basis. The medication is best taken with a full glass of water or food to decrease the possibility of gastric bleeding. It may take as long as two weeks for patients suffering from arthritis to experience effects from this medication.
Because NSAID medications are frequently linked to gastric bleeding, the lowest possible dose that will control a patient's pain should be used. Patients with a history of ulcers or gastro-intestinal bleeding, heart disease, or liver impairment, should take this medication only as a last resort. Doctors may order periodic liver and kidney function tests and complete blood counts to monitor potential side effects.
Celebrex should not be prescribed for anyone with sensitivity to NSAID medications or sulfa drugs, two classes of medications to which many people are allergic
| Form: |
Capsules taken orally |
| Strength: |
50mg, 100mg, 200mg or 400mg oral capsules. |
| Storage: |
Medication should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. (Do not store Celebrex in a bathroom.) As with all medications, Celebrex should be kept away from children and pets. |
| Contraindications: |
Patients with allergies to NSAID medications or sulfa drugs. Celebrex should be prescribed with caution for patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular illness or liver impairment. |
| Generic Name: |
Celecoxib |
What is Celecoxib?
Celecoxib is the generic form of Celebrex and can be purchased as a cheaper alternative to save money on your medication. The same ingredients are used in the manufacturing of the brand name version of this drug as in Celecoxib.
