Celecoxib helps relieve pain and inflammation associated with joint disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation in joints of your spine), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in joints of fingers, wrists, feet, ankles) and osteoarthritis (damage of joints' surfaces).
It is also used to treat dysmenorrhoea 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.
For patients with difficulty swallowing capsules, contents of Celecoxib may be emptied from the capsule and mixed onto a teaspoonful level of applesauce at room temperature or cooler. Swallow the mixture immediately with water. This mixture is stable for 6 hours when refrigerated.
You may stop taking Celecoxib when you have no more pain or inflammation. Take it only when you need to.
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.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe heart disease
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
- active stomach ulcer or bleeding
- inflammatory disease of the bowel
Do not take Celecoxib if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines such as aspirin, etoricoxib, diclofenac, mefenamic acid, indometacin; and also to sulfa medicines such as probenecid and cotrimoxazole.
This medicine should not be used to treat pain after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Do not take this medicine if you are on your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If you become pregnant while on Celecoxib therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of stomach ulcer or bleeding
- high blood pressure or recent heart attack
- dehydration or low blood volume
- diabetes
- high cholesterol levels
- fluid retention e.g. swollen feet or ankles
- asthma
- moderate liver disease
- smoking or drinking habits
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Celecoxib to a child or elderly person. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Celecoxib.
Genes may affect an individual’s response to certain medicines. Researchers say that individuals who are poor metabolisers of CYP2C9 may experience enhanced effects of Celecoxib (e.g. stomach bleeding). 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.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests to check the health of your kidney and liver. Your doctor will advise you how often you need to have them.
Celecoxib may cause drowsiness or dizziness. 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, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach wind and pain, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, rash, itching, sinusitis (sinus inflammation, blocked or painful sinuses), blocked or runny nose, sore throat, coughs, colds, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, muscle stiffness, and difficulty breathing.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience:
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- swelling of the face, enlarged lymph nodes
- swelling of ankles, legs or feet
- painful passing of urine, back pain, cloudy urine
- pass out blood or black, tarry stools or vomit coffee-ground-like vomitus
- yellowing of the skin and white of the eyes
- chest pain, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells to drop. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
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:
- medicine to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. aspirin, warfarin
- anti-inflammatory medicine e.g. prednisone
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. tacrolimus, methotrexate, ciclosporin
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease e.g. captopril, losartan, metoprolol, digoxin
- medicines for water retention (water pills) e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
- medicine to treat fungal infection e.g. fluconazole
- medicine to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
- medicine for epilepsy (fits or seizure) e.g. carbamazepine
- medicines for mood disorder e.g. lithium, aripiprazole
- medicine to treat hyperactivity disorders e.g. atomoxetine
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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