Drug Uses

Celebrex is used for relief of: acute pain in adults, menstrual pain (primary dysmenorrhea) in women; pain, inflammation, and stiffness of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults.

How Taken

Always take Celebrex exactly as prescribed. The following dosages of Celebrex are recommended based on the cause of pain. These are recommended dosages only, and should not take the place of your doctor's instructions. Acute pain: 400 mg initially, followed by an additional 200-mg dose on the first day if needed. On subsequent days, the recommended dose is 200 mg twice daily as needed. Painful menstrual cramping (primary dysmenorrhea): 400 mg initially, followed by an additional 200-mg dose on the first day if needed. On subsequent days, the recommended dose is 200 mg twice daily as needed. Osteoarthritis (OA): One 200-mg dose once a day or one 100-mg dose twice a day. Adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA): 100 to 200 mg twice a day.

Warnings/Precautions

Celebrex and other NSAID medicines can cause stomach ulcers that bleed. The chance of this serious problem increases the longer you take Celebrex and with higher doses of Celebrex. Stomach bleeding can also happen suddenly while you take Celebrex. Stop taking Celebrex and call your healthcare provider right away if you get a burning stomach pain, black bowel movements that look like tar, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds. Celebrex and other NSAID medicines can cause serious problems such as liver damage. Some of the warning signs of liver damage are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, itching, and yellow coloring of skin or eyes and dark urine. If these happen, stop taking Celebrex and call your health care provider right away.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

Possible Side Effects

-headache -indigestion -upper respiratory tract infection (a "cold") -diarrhea -sinus inflammation -stomach pain -nausea.

Storage

Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Celebrex overdose include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, little or no urine production, slow breathing, and coma.

More Information

You may not be able to take Celebrex, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or are taking any of the medicines, listed above. Celebrex is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Celebrex should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because it may affect the formation of the baby's heart. Do not take Celebrex without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Celebrex passes into breast milk. Do not take Celebrex without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding. If you are over the age of 65 years, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Celebrex. You may require a lower dosage or special monitoring during your therapy.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects of your medicine. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.