Celebrex (Celecoxib) belongs to the group of medications called selective COX-2 inhibitors, which is a kind of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs work by reducing a substance in the body that leads to inflammation (swelling) and pain.

Celebrex (Celecoxib) is used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis in adults.

It is also used to treat moderate-to-severe pain for a short-term period (less than 7 days), such as pain due to surgery, sprains, or tooth extractions.

Celebrex (Celecoxib) will only treat symptoms and decrease inflammation as long as you are taking the medication. It will not change the progress of the disease causing the pain and inflammation.

Celebrex (Celecoxib) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Celebrex (Celecoxib) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Celebrex (Celecoxib) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Celebrex (Celecoxib) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Celebrex (Celecoxib), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Celebrex (Celecoxib) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Celebrex (Celecoxib) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The amount of Celebrex (Celecoxib) and how long it is taken varies according to the condition being treated. It should be used at the lowest dose possible for the shortest possible length of time to achieve pain relief.

Osteoarthritis: The usual recommended daily dose is 200 mg taken as a single dose or as 100 mg twice daily.

Ankylosing spondylitis: The usual recommended daily dose is 200 mg taken as a single dose or as 100 mg twice daily.

Rheumatoid arthritis: The usual recommended starting dose is 100 mg twice daily. This may be increased to 200 mg twice daily as directed by your doctor.

Moderate-to-severe pain: The usual recommended dose is 400 mg as a single dose on the first day, followed by 200 mg once daily. Treatment should not exceed 7 days. The maximum recommended dose is 400 mg a day.

Celebrex (Celecoxib) may be taken with or without food.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Celebrex (Celecoxib) be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Celebrex (Celecoxib) at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

 The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Celebrex (Celecoxib) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• heartburn
• increased sensitivity to sunlight
• nausea

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• blurred vision or other vision changes
• confusion
• digestive system problems (e.g., vomiting, ongoing indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, or Diarrhea)
• fatigue
• Headaches or stiff neck
• hearing changes
• increased blood pressure
• pain or difficulty urinating
• signs of bleeding (e.g., unusual bruising or bleeding, bloody nose, blood in urine, coughing blood, cuts that won't stop bleeding)
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of lung inflammation (e.g., trouble breathing, Dry Cough, tiredness)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine)
• skin rash
• swelling of the legs or feet

symptoms of liver damage (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or itching) Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (e.g., hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of the lips, throat, or tongue)
• symptoms of a severe skin reaction (e.g., high Fever; rash, sores, or painful blisters on the skin, mouth, or eyes; or skin peeling off)
• symptoms of bleeding in the stomach or intestines (e.g., dark and tarry stools, blood coming from rectum, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, fast heartbeat, weakness or fainting)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Celebrex (Celecoxib).

100 mg
Each white-to-off-white hard-gelatin capsule with blue ink band on body marked in white with "100" and with blue ink band on cap marked in white with "7767" contains 100 mg of Celebrex (Celecoxib). Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone, and sodium lauryl sulfate; shell: edible ink (indigotine [E132]), gelatin, and titanium dioxide (E171).

200 mg
Each white-to-off-white hard-gelatin capsule with gold ink band on body marked in white with "200" and with gold ink band on cap marked in white with "7767" contains 200 mg of Celebrex (Celecoxib). Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone, and sodium lauryl sulfate; shell: edible ink (ferric oxide [E172]), gelatin, and titanium dioxide (E171).

Do not take Celebrex (Celecoxib) if you:

• are allergic to Celebrex (Celecoxib) or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to sulfonamides (sulfa medications; e.g., sulfamethoxazole)
• are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed
• are in the third trimester of pregnancy (28 weeks or more)
• are planning to have or recently have had heart surgery
• have an active stomach or intestinal ulcer or active gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) bleeding
• have bleeding in the brain
• have experienced Asthma, Hives, or allergic-type reactions after taking acetylsalicylic acid (Asa) or other NSAIDs (e.g., Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Meloxicam)
• have high blood potassium levels
• have inflammatory bowel disease
• have severe, uncontrolled heart failure
• have severely decreased kidney function or kidney function that is getting worse
• have severely decreased liver function or active liver disease
• have high levels of potassium in your blood

There may be an interaction between Celebrex (Celecoxib) and any of the following:

• Abiraterone
• acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and other salicylate medications
• alcohol
• Aliskiren
• aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids
• aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., Amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin)
• Amiodarone
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; e.g., Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., Losartan, Irbesartan)
• Aprepitant
• Atomoxetine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate, etidronate)
• Bosentan
• Capecitabine
• Carbamazepine
• chloroquine
• Chlorpheniramine
• Chlorpromazine
• Cholestyramine
• Codeine
• Colesevelam
• Colestipol
• corticosteroids taken by mouth (e.g., Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• Clopidogrel
• Cyclosporine
• dabigatran
• Deferasirox
• delavirdine
• Desmopressin
• Dextromethorphan
• Digoxin
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• Doxepin
• Enzalutamide
• Eplerenone
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• etravirine
• evening primrose
• fenofibric acid
• feverfew
• Flecainide
• Fluorouracil
• garlic
• Gemfibrozil
• ginger
• green tea
• Heparin
• Hydralazine
• lithium
• low-molecular-weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Tinzaparin)
• methamphetamine
• Methotrexate
• Mexiletine
• mifepristone
• milk thistle
• Mirtazapine
• nefazodone
• other NSAID medications (e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen, Ketorolac, naproxen)
• Omeprazole
• peginterferon alfa-2b
• Phenytoin
• Pioglitazone
• Porfimer
• primidone
• probenecid
• procainamide
• pyrimethamine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• Repaglinide
• rifampin
• Rivaroxaban
• Risperidone
• Rosiglitazone
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• sodium phosphate
• sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfas"; e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole)
• Tacrolimus
• Tamoxifen
• tenofovir
• thioridazine
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tolterodine
• Tramadol
• tretinoin
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• Trimethoprim
• Venlafaxine
• Warfarin
• Zafirlukast
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.