Generic Name: celecoxib

What is the most important information I should know about celecoxib?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use celecoxib. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking celecoxib. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Do not drink alcohol while taking celecoxib. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by celecoxib. Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many pain medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to celecoxib. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication.

What is celecoxib?

Celecoxib is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Celecoxib works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Celecoxib is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain. Celecoxib is also used in the treatment of hereditary polyps in the colon

Celecoxib may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking celecoxib?

Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to celecoxib, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin, sulfa drugs, or other NSAIDs.

Before taking celecoxib tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;

• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;

• liver or kidney disease,

• a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;

• asthma;

• polyps in your nose; or

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take celecoxib.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking celecoxib during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take celecoxib during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. Celecoxib passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take celecoxib without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

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