Celebrex Pain Killers
Celebrex (celecoxib) is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Celecoxib is also used to reduce the number of adenomatous colorectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), to treat acute pain, and to treat pain associated with menstruation.
Celebrex (celecoxib) is licensed for use in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, painful menstruation and menstrual symptoms, and to reduce the number of colon and rectal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. It was originally intended to relieve pain while minimizing the gastrointestinal adverse effects usually seen with conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In practice, its primary indication is in patients who need regular and long term pain relief: there is probably no advantage to using Celebrex (celecoxib) for short term or acute pain relief over conventional NSAIDs.
Celebrex Side Effects
Serious but rare Celebrex side effects that have been reported in patients taking this drug are:
Serious stomach problems, such as stomach and intestinal bleeding, can occur with or without warning symptoms. These problems, if severe, could lead to hospitalization or death. Although this happens rarely, you should watch for signs that you may have this serious side effect.
Serious allergic reactions including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat which may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing and wheezing occur rarely but may require treatment right away. Severe skin reactions have also been reported.
Serious kidney problems occur rarely, including acute kidney failure and worsening of chronic kidney failure.
Severe liver problems, including hepatitis, jaundice and liver failure, occur rarely in patients taking NSAIDs, including Celebrex. Symptoms of liver problems include nausea, tiredness, itching, tenderness in the right upper abdomen, and flu-like symptoms.
In addition, the following side effects have been reported: anxiety, confusion, depression, hair loss, hallucinations, increased levels of potassium in the blood, low blood cell counts, palpitations, pancreatitis, tingling sensation, unusual headache with stiff neck (aseptic meningitis), vertigo.
Celebrex Dosage
You should continue to take Celebrex as prescribed even when you are feeling better. Celebrex can be taken with or without food.
In Osteoarthritis, the recommended dose for Celebrex is 100-200 mg a day. Celebrex delivers 24-hour relief from a once-daily dose of 200 mg.
In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the recommended dose for Celebrex is 100-200 mg twice a day. Celebrex provides relief through the day and through the night.
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