-
Celecoxib
Indications:
People who take nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) such as
celecoxib may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke than
people who do not take these medications. These events may happen without
warning and may cause death. This risk may be higher for people who take
NSAIDs for a long time.
Celecoxib is used to relieve pain, tenderness,
swelling and stiffness caused by different types of arthritis including
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).Celecoxib is also used to treat painful menstrual periods and pain
from other causes. It is also 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). Celecoxib 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.
Usage:
Celecoxib 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
celecoxib at a time, you may take the medication with or without food. If
you are taking more than 200 mg of celecoxib 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
celecoxib, 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 celecoxib exactly as directed.
Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your
doctor.
special precautions:
-
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to
celecoxib, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), sulfa medications, any other medications, or
any of the inactive ingredients in celecoxib 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: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten),
enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril),
moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace),
and trandolapril (Mavik); certain antidepressants (mood elevators);
atazanavir (Reyataz);clopidogrel (Plavix);codeine (in some cough
medications and some pain medications); dextromethorphan (in some cough
medications); diuretics ('water pills');efavirenz (Sustiva); fluconazole (Diflucan);fluvastatin
(Lescol) lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);certain medications for mental
illness;metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); metronidazole (Flagyl);mexiletine
(Mexitil) ondansetron (Zofran);propafenone (Rhythmol); ritonavir (Norvir,
in Kaletra);sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra); sulfinpyrazone (Anturane);tamoxifen
(Nolvadex)timolol (Blocadren, Timolide, in some eye drops); tramadol (Ultram);and
zarfirlukast (Accolate). . 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; 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 celecoxib,
call your doctor.
-
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking celecoxib.
side effects:
Celecoxib 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
|
