Celebrex
Celecoxib
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Celebrex
Celebrex belongs to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) group of medicines, which are commonly known as pain killers. Celebrex blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2), which is responsible for synthesis of prostaglandins and thereby reduces the concentration of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are important contributors to the inflammation that causes the pain, fever, swelling and tenderness etc. By reducing concentration of prostaglandins, Celebrex reduces inflammation and its accompanying pain, fever, swelling and tenderness. Celebrex is a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor and has little or no action on stomach and intestine because there is no cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme in stomach and intestine, thereby it does not cause any stomach upset or peptic ulcer. Celebrex like other NSAIDs can prevent formation and reduce the size of polyps in patients with the genetic disease known as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) where patients develop large number of polyps in colon which invariably turns malignant or cancerous. The only cure of these FAP is removal of entire colon and Celebrex is approved for adjunctive treatment for FAP by USFDA.
Therapeutic Uses of Celebrex
Celebrex is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis related pain, tenderness, swelling and fever. Celebrex does not prevent the progression of arthritis; it is only used for symptomatic relief of pain and tenderness etc. It is also used commonly in reducing the acute pain and the pain of menstrual cramps. Celebrex is also used in the adjunctive treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
Direction of use of Celebrex
For the treatment of arthritis and other conditions the lowest effective dose should be used. For rheumatoid arthritis 100 mg to 200 mg two times a day and for osteoarthritis the dose is 100 mg twice a day or 200 mg once a day. For menstrual cramps it is given as 400 mg (another 200 mg can be given afterwards if required) on first day as single dose and then 200 mg two times daily as required. For treatment of FAP the recommended dose is 400 mg two times a day for as long as required.
Dose of Celebrex, if Missed
If a dose of Celebrex is missed take it as soon as you can remember. If it is almost time for the next dose then skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing as usual. Do not take 2 doses of Celebrex together for the missed dose unless your doctor tells you to take 2 doses together.
How to Store Celebrex
Celebrex is stored at 77 degree F or 25 degree C. Store it in a dry place away from heat, moisture and sunlight. It can be stored for a brief period at little lower or higher temperature (59 to 86 degree F).
More Information About Celebrex
Inform your doctor if you develop nausea, vomiting, blood in vomit, blood in stool or dark stool; flu like symptoms, abdominal cramps, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight gain, swelling, water retention, fatigue, lethargy; yellowing of skin and eyes. The above symptoms can be early sign of serious side effects. If any of the following symptoms like allergic reaction develop; stop taking Celebrex and consult your doctor immediately. Continue taking Celebrex if any of the following symptoms like diarrhea, headache, dizziness, insomnia etc. develops and consult your doctor. There may also be other side effects that are not common.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Celebrex
The following precautions should be observed while taking Celebrex:
- Use of Celebrex with aspirin and/or other NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac can increase the chances of peptic ulcer.
- Enough studies are not there about the use of Celebrex during pregnancy and ideally it should be avoided. Celebrex should be used in pregnant women if the benefits clearly outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. Celebrex is also not studies well in breast feeding mothers and should be avoided as far as possible.
- There are no restrictions of driving, food or drinks while taking Celebrex, unless your doctor tells specifically.
- Fluconazole, an antifungal medicine increases the concentration of Celebrex in blood and can cause more side effects and also can cause a serious heart trouble. So it should not be used while taking Celebrex or if it must be used then it should be lowest recommended dose.
- If you are taking anticoagulant treatment with warfarin, the anticoagulation therapy should be monitored closely if you have to take Celebrex, particularly in the first few days.
- Persons, who drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks per day, may be at increased risk of developing stomach ulcers when taken with NSAIDs and may be true if you are taking Celebrex also.
- Celebrex can increase the concentration of lithium (used in treatment of mania and other psychiatric disorders) in the blood and you need to monitor lithium therapy closely if you are taking Celebrex along with it.
Possible Adverse Effects
- Though sometime peptic ulcer can develop after using Celebrex, the incidence of it is much less than other NSAIDs. It also do not interfere with platelet function (so do not cause bleeding tendency) and do not reduce blood clotting time and do not cause increased bleeding like other NSAIDs.
- The common side effects of Celebrex are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, headache, sleeplessness etc.
- Less common side effects are heart failure, kidney failure, increased blood pressure, deafness, peptic ulcers, bleeding, blurred vision, anxiety, flu-like symptoms, photosensitivity, weight gain, water retention, drowsiness and weakness etc.
- Severe side effects like allergic reaction may occur due to Celebrex. The chance of allergic reaction due to Celebrex is more if you are allergic to sulfonamides, aspirin or other NSAIDs.
