Celecoxib

Celecoxib is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Celecoxib is also used to treat painful menstrual periods and pain from other causes. It is also used with surgery and other treatments to reduce the number of polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon (large intestine) and rectum in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (a condition in which hundreds or thousands of polyps form in the colon and cancer may develop). Celecoxib is in a class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain and inflammation.

Celecoxib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. If you are taking up to 200 mg of celecoxib at a time, you may take the medication with or without food. If you are taking more than 200 mg of celecoxib at a time, you should take the medication with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you need to take your medication with food. To help you remember to take celecoxib, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take celecoxib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Celecoxib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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diarrhea</li>
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gas or bloating</li>
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sore throat</li>
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cold symptoms</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more celecoxib until you speak to your doctor.

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unexplained weight gain</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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itching</li>
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lack of energy</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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pain in the upper right part of the stomach</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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flu-like symptoms</li>
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blisters</li>
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fever</li>
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rash</li>
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hives</li>
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swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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difficulty swallowing or breathing</li>
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pale skin</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
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cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine</li>
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back pain</li>
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difficult or painful urination</li>
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frequent urination, especially at night</li></ul>Celecoxib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking celecoxib, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to celecoxib, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), sulfa medications, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in celecoxib capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); certain antidepressants (mood elevators); atazanavir (Reyataz);clopidogrel (Plavix);codeine (in some cough medications and some pain medications); dextromethorphan (in some cough medications); diuretics ('water pills'); efavirenz (Sustiva); fluconazole (Diflucan); fluvastatin (Lescol); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); certain medications for mental illness; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); metronidazole (Flagyl); mexiletine (Mexitil); ondansetron (Zofran); propafenone (Rhythmol); ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra); sulfinpyrazone (Anturane);tamoxifen (Nolvadex) timolol (Blocadren, Timolide, in some eye drops); tramadol (Ultram); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or liver or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking celecoxib.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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lack of energy</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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vomiting</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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vomiting material that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds</li>
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bloody or black, tarry stools</li>
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loss of consciousness</li>
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hives</li>
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rash</li>
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swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li></ul>