Celecoxib helps relieve pain and inflammation associated with joint disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation in the joints of your spine), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles) and osteoarthritis (protective tissue that covers the ends of bones wears down causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness).
It is also used to treat dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and relieve other types of pain.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Celecoxib exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine is available as a capsule or an oral solution.
If you are taking the capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you may empty the contents of the capsule and mix it onto a teaspoonful of a cool or room temperature applesauce. Swallow the mixture immediately with water. This mixture is stable for 6 hours when refrigerated.
If you are taking the oral solution, use the measuring oral syringe provided to measure your dose.
You may stop taking Celecoxib when you have no more pain or inflammation.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take Celecoxib if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine, aspirin or other NSAIDs (medicine for pain and inflammation).
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of asthma, rhinitis (inflammation inside the lining of the nose caused by allergens), skin rash, or other allergic reactions after taking aspirin or other similar painkillers
- active ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or bowel
- inflammatory bowel disease (group of diseases that cause long-term inflammation of the digestive tract)
- heart failure or other severe heart diseases
- cerebrovascular disease (disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Celecoxib therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Do not take Celecoxib if you are breastfeeding.
Celecoxib should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of stomach ulcer or bleeding
- high blood pressure
- recent heart attack
- diabetes
- high cholesterol levels
- swollen ankles, feet, or hands
- asthma
- moderate liver disease
- mild to moderate kidney disease
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Celecoxib to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Notify your doctor if you smoke, consume large amounts of alcohol, or if you are a frequent alcohol drinker.
Individuals who are poor metabolisers of CYP2C9 may experience enhanced effects of this medicine. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring for signs of stomach or bowel problems may also be needed.
Celecoxib may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, stomach pain or wind, diarrhoea, indigestion, vomiting, joint pain, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, tongue, or throat
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth, or eyes accompanied by fever
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- signs and symptoms of liver problems e.g. yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
- chest pain, tightness, pressure
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, apixaban
- medicines to treat depression
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines)
- medicines for high blood pressure
- water pills or medicines for water retention
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- fluconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [an infection known as tuberculosis])
- carbamazepine (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Celecoxib.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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