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Drug Interactions
If Celebrex is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Celebrex with the
following:
- ACE-inhibitors (a type of blood pressure and heart medication, including such drugs as Capoten, Vasotec, and Prinivil)
- Blood thinning agents such as Coumadin
- Fluco
nazole (Diflucan)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- Thiazide diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide and Dyazide
If you take low-dose aspirin t
o protect against heart attack, you can continue taking it with Celebrex.
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Other medical problems
Celecoxib may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients who are allergic to aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
s, or sulfonamide-type drugs. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, wheezing, or fainting.
Other signs may include changes in color of the skin of the face; very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse; hive-like swellings on the skin; and puffiness or swellings of the eyelids or around the
eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency help at once. Ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital emergency room.
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What is this Drug
Celebrex is a drug that helps relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. The reason that Celebrex has become so popular is because it is easier on the stomach than oth
er anti-arthritis medication. Celebrex is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis. This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAI
D) known as a COX-2 inhibitor used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Reporting on the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Decembe
r, thirdage.com reported that in analysis of 800 arthritis patients, more than one-third had stopped taking medications because they couldn't handle the stomach pains associated with the drugs.
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What side effects can this medication cause?
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your
doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- Bloody or black tarry stools; burning feeling in chest or stomach; chills; congestion in chest; cough; diarrhea; fati
gue; fever; loss of appetite; muscle aches and pains; nausea; shortness of breath; stomach pain (severe); tenderness in stomach area; unusual weight gain; vomiting of blood or material that l
ooks like coffee grounds; weakness
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Overdose
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Celebrex overdose may include:
Breathing diffic
ulties, coma, drowsiness, gastrointestinal bleeding, high blood pressure, kidney failure, nausea, sluggishness, stomach pain, vomiting
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Proper Use of This Medicine
You should continue to take CELEBREX as prescribed even when you are feeling better. CELEBREX can be taken with or without food. CELEBREX capsules come in 2 strengths: 100 mg and 200 mg.
In O
steoarthritis, the recommended dose for CELEBREX is 200 mg a day. CELEBREX delivers 24-hour relief from a once-daily dose of 200 mg. Or if preferred, a dose of 100 mg twice a day is available.
In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the recommended dose for CELEBREX is 100 mg to 200 mg, twice a day. CELEBREX provides relief through the day and through the night.
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