Everything You Need To Know About The Drug Celecoxib

The drug celecoxib has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects similar to non-selective NSAIDs. However, it is less likely to lead to acute stomach problems.

The drug celecoxib belongs to the group of selective COX-2 inhibitors. It is prescribed to relieve the pain, inflammation and also stiffness that can result from joint disorders. These diseases include conditions such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew’s disease).

It is also useful in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and even painful periods. In addition, patients with short-term pain can also use this drug. For example after an operation and after other medical or dental procedures.

How can you use the drug celecoxib?

This medication comes in capsule form for oral administration. In general, patients can take it once or twice a day. This can be taken with or without food.

Try to take the medicine at about the same time every day to make sure you don’t forget to take celecoxib.
Do not increase or decrease the dose on your own initiative and do not take the capsules more often than your doctor prescribes.
If you cannot swallow the capsules whole, or if the treatment is for a child, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents over some food. For example, you can sprinkle it over a spoonful of custard to make it easy to swallow.

Since the cardiovascular risk of celecoxib may increase with dose and duration of treatment, you should take the lowest possible daily dose that is still effective. In addition, the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.

From time to time, a physician should re-evaluate response to treatment to assess its efficacy and safety. This is especially true in patients with osteoarthritis.

The dosage based on the cause of the problem

Arthrosis

For the treatment of osteoarthritis, the recommended daily dose is 200 mg once a day or in two doses. In some patients, doctors may increase the dose to 200 mg twice a day to increase effectiveness. If the patient does not experience an increase in therapeutic benefit after two weeks, it is time to consider other therapeutic alternatives.

Rheumatoid arthritis

The recommended starting dose of the drug celecoxib per day for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is 200 mg in two divided doses. As with osteoarthritis, doctors may increase the dose to 200 mg twice a day if needed.

However, if patients do not perceive a greater therapeutic benefit after 2 weeks, reconsideration of other therapeutic alternatives will be necessary. The maximum recommended daily dose is 400 mg in both cases.

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Contraindications to the use of celecoxib

The use of this drug is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient, to any of the excipients and to sulfonamides.
It is also contraindicated in cases of active peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.
This includes patients who have had asthma, acute rhinitis, edema, hives or other allergic reactions after taking acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not take celecoxib. While the potential risk of malformations in humans during pregnancy is unknown, it cannot be ruled out. In addition, patients with the following diseases should avoid taking celecoxib as a pain reliever:

severe hepatic impairment
kidney disease
inflammatory bowel disease
congestive heart failure
peripheral arterial disease
demonstrated cerebrovascular disease

Potential Adverse Effects of Celecoxib

Like all medications, celecoxib can have adverse effects. Depending on the estimated frequency of occurrence of adverse reactions, they are classified as described below. Remember to consult your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of these symptoms.

Common Side Effects

Stomach pain, diarrhea and gas.

Dizziness and insomnia.
Nasal congestion, sinusitis and pharyngitis.
Fluid retention with edema.
Skin rash.

Rare side effects

Anxiety, depression, fatigue, blurred vision, muscle stiffness and tingling sensation
Anemia, kidney or liver problems.
High blood pressure or worsening of blood pressure, palpitations.
Urinary and mouth infections.
Skin reactions such as hives.

Rare Side Effects

This category includes side effects such as stomach ulcers and bleeding, intestinal perforation, inflammation of the esophagus and difficulty swallowing.
Cases of acute pancreatitis, colitis, confusion, hallucinations, hearing loss and aseptic meningitis have also been reported.

Conclusion on celecoxib

Currently, despite the various side effects that have been reported, this drug is prescribed in certain cases. This is because the benefits of taking celecoxib outweigh the risks.