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CELEBREX
CELEBREX ONLINE
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine
must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision
you and your doctor will make. For celecoxib, the following should
be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to celecoxib, other
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin or other salicylates,
or sulfonamide-type medicines. Also tell your health care
professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as
foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Celecoxib has not been studied in
pregnant women. However, there is a chance that this medicine may
cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow of the fetus or
newborn baby if it is taken regularly during the last few months
of pregnancy. Studies in animals have shown that celecoxib has
caused birth defects of the ribs and sternebrae. Before taking
this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or
if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether
celecoxib passes into breast milk. However, celecoxib may cause
unwanted effects in nursing babies. It may be necessary for you to
take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment.
Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine
with your doctor.
Children—Studies on this medicine have been
done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information
comparing the use of celecoxib in children with use in older age
groups.
Older adults—This medicine has been tested
in a limited number of elderly patients 65 years of age and older
and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems
in older people than it does in younger adults. However, elderly
patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of celecoxib.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different
medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.
In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other
precautions may be necessary. When you are taking celecoxib, it is
especially important that your health care professional know if
you are taking any of the following:
 | Aspirin or
| Fluconazole (e.g., Diflucan)—The chance of serious side
effects may be increased |
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| Lithium (e.g., Lithane)—Higher blood levels of celecoxib
and an increased chance of side effects may occur |
Proper Use of This Medicine
For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take
more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a
longer time than ordered by your health care professional.
Taking too much of this medicine may increase the chance of
unwanted effects.
Dosing—
The dose of celecoxib will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following information includes only the average doses of
celecoxib. If your dose is different, do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules that you take depends on the strength of
the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the
time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the
medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking
celecoxib.
| For oral dosage form (capsules):
| For familial adenomatous polyposis (polyps in the
intestines):
| Adults— 400 mg twice a day with food.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| For moderate or severe pain, such as after dental or
orthopedic procedures:
| Adults— On the first day take 400 mg for the first
dose then 200 mg as needed as a second dose. After the
first day take 200 mg twice a day.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| Pain during menstruation:
| Adults— On the first day take 400 mg for the first
dose then 200 mg as needed as a second dose. After the
first day take 200 mg twice a day.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| For rheumatoid arthritis:
| Adults— 100 to 200 mg twice a day.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| For osteoarthritis:
| Adults— 200 mg a day as a single dose or 100 mg
twice day.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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Missed dose—
If your health care professional has ordered you to take this
medicine according to a regular schedule, and you miss a dose,
take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the next dose and go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
| Keep out of the reach of children.
| Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in
other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to
break down.
| Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of
children. |
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Precautions While Using This Medicine
If you will be taking this medicine for a long time, your
doctor should check your progress at regular visits.
Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink
alcoholic beverages while being treated with this medicine.
Therefore, do not regularly drink alcoholic beverages while
taking this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your
doctor.
Taking two or more of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
together on a regular basis may increase the chance of unwanted
effects. Also, taking acetaminophen, aspirin or other salicylates,
or ketorolac (e.g., Toradol) regularly while you are taking a
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may increase the chance of
unwanted effects. The risk will depend on how much of each
medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the
medicines together. If your health care professional directs you
to take these medicines together on a regular basis, follow his or
her directions carefully. However, do not take acetaminophen
or aspirin or other salicylates together with this medicine for
more than a few days, and do not take any ketorolac (e.g., Toradol)
while you are taking this medicine, unless your doctor has
directed you to do so and is following your progress.
Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this
medicine. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without any
warning. However, possible warning signs often occur, including
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe
stomach pain, black, tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood or
material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain;
and/or skin rash. Stop taking this medicine and check with
your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.
Check with your doctor immediately if fever, drowsiness,
itching of the skin, tiredness, nausea, or stomach pain occurs;
these effects may be the first signs of liver toxicity.
Celecoxib may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called
anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients
who are allergic to aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, or sulfonamide-type drugs. Anaphylaxis requires
immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this
reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath,
wheezing, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in color of
the skin of the face; very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse;
hive-like swellings on the skin; and puffiness or swellings of the
eyelids or around the eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency
help at once. Ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital
emergency room. If this is not possible, do not try to drive
yourself. Call an ambulance, lie down, cover yourself to keep
warm, and prop your feet higher than your head. Stay in that
position until help arrives.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some
unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may
occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the
following side effects occur:
| More common
| Cough; fever; skin rash; sneezing;
sore throat; swelling of face, fingers, feet, and/or
lower legs |
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| Less common or rare
| Bloody or black tarry stools; burning feeling in
chest or stomach; chills; congestion in chest;
cough; diarrhea; fatigue; fever;
loss of appetite; muscle aches and pains;
nausea; shortness of breath; stomach pain
(severe); tenderness in stomach area; unusual
weight gain; vomiting of blood or material that
looks like coffee grounds; weakness |
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| Symptoms of overdose
| Bloody or black, tarry stools; continuing thirst;
dizziness; drowsiness ; headache, severe or
continuing; nausea and/or vomiting; shortness
of breath; stomach pain; sudden decrease in
the amount of urine; swelling of face, fingers,
and/or lower legs; tightness in chest and/or
wheezing; troubled breathing; unusual
tiredness or weakness; vomiting of blood or material
that looks like coffee grounds; weight gain |
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Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your
body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if
any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
| More common
| Back pain; dizziness; gas; headache;
heartburn ; inability to sleep; nausea ;
pain or burning in throat; stomach pain;
stuffy or runny nose |
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| Less common
| Anxiety; blurred vision; buzzing or ringing
noise in ears; change in sense of taste;
constipation; decreased appetite; depression;
difficulty swallowing; dry mouth; fast
heartbeat; increased sweating; joint or muscle
pain or stiffness; loss of energy or weakness;
nervousness; numbness or tingling in fingers and/or
toes; pain or burning in throat; pounding
heartbeat; sleepiness; sudden sweating and
feelings of warmth; unusual tiredness;
vomiting |
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Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some
patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
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