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Chronic Care ... Celebrex

Celebrex (Celecoxib) prescription available online

If you are suffering from inflammation or pain triggered by a range of conditions, such as menstrual pain, ankylosing spondylitis, and arthritis, Celebrex can help. Get a new prescription or refill of Celebrex from a board-certified doctor today.*

Ease stiffness and swelling Multiple FDA-approved uses Manage arthritis symptoms
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About Celebrex

Celebrex (celecoxib) is considered a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called COX-2 selective inhibitor, which curbs hormones that prompt aches and inflammation in the body. Like any anti-inflammatory drug NSAID, this medication can only relieve swelling, pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It is ineffective against skin rash because it will not offer the same effect as Corticosteroids. On the contrary, Celebrex can cause unwanted side effects, which can be linked to numerous skin reactions.

 

Some conditions that Celebrex is known to treat include acute pain, dysmenorrhea, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Celebrex is available only by prescription. It is available in a generic formulation under different brand names, Celecoxib and Elyxyb.

 

Celebrex may be prescribed as an oral medication. It comes in 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg doses. It’s always important to follow the specific instructions on your prescription, as they can vary based on the formulation and dosage forms you are prescribed.

 

If you are prescribed Celebrex, be sure to complete the full course of the anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs unless healthcare professionals specifically tell you to stop.

 

If you don’t complete your prescription, the anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs may not fully treat your menstrual pain, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, or any other health problem you might be having.

Celebrex uses

There are multiple FDA-approved uses for Celebrex, but it may also be used off-label to treat other conditions. Your online medical professional may prescribe it for the following reasons. It’s also possible that your healthcare provider may prescribe it for different reasons not listed here. Ask your online doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about why a medication is prescribed.

Celebrex FDA-approved uses

Celebrex is FDA-approved for treating short-term (acute) pain in adult patients. It curbs the aches in which swelling is involved. These conditions for which Celebrex is used for pain relief include:

  • Migraine and headache
  • Back pain
  • Pain after injury
  • Pain after surgery
  • Menstrual cramps or pain (primary dysmenorrhea)

    This anti-inflammatory drug NSAID is also approved for treating osteoarthritis (OA). Oral doses curb the stiffening and aches, thus offering the patients treated a boost in daily functioning. Celebrex can accommodate adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

    The drug offers clinically significant decreases in stiffness, swelling, and joint pain in patients treated. In clinical trials, Celebrex produced similar results to a different NSAID known as naproxen. Celebrex had lower odds of triggering severe adverse reactions than naproxen.

    These reactions include slow-healing sores (ulcers), stroke, digestive bleeding, and heart attack. Celebrex can manage juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in patients aged 2 or over. The product can aid patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

    AS is an inflammatory disease and a rare arthritis type that triggers stiffness and pain in the spine. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is a go-to treatment for AS, making it a viable choice to ease stiffness and decrease pain.

Celebrex off-label use

A healthcare provider can recommend Celebrex off-label for alleviating acute gout. This is a classic and complex form of arthritis that can impact any patient. It causes severe and sudden attacks of pain. Accompanied by tenderness, redness, and swelling in one or multiple joints.

Most of the time, it is the big toe that’s affected. Celebrex (celecoxib) off-label means that the medicine doesn’t have an FDA-approval for this particular use or symptoms. An off-label product could be suggested if the healthcare provider believes the product could be more helpful than other drugs for that patient.

What are the pros and cons?

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Celebrex side effects

Celebrex, as with many other Nsaids, has cardiovascular (heart) and gastrointestinal risks associated with use. Although these risks are higher in people with known cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disease, dangerous side effects can occur in others without these risks depending on age, other medications in use, and complicated medical history. These more serious risks include cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke along with gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines. 

 

Other less sever side effects may include: 

 

  • Cardiovascular: chest pain (<2%), edema (<2%), exacerbation of hypertension (<2%), palpitations (<2%), peripheral edema (2%), tachycardia (<2%) 
  • Dermatologic:  dermatitis (<2%), ecchymoses (<2%), rash (<2%), urticaria (<2%) 
  • Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain (4%), anorexia (<2%), constipation (<2%), diarrhea (6%), dyspepsia (9%), dysphagia (<2%), flatulence (2%), gastritis (<2%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (<2%), melena (<2%), vomiting (<2%),  
  • Genitourinary: dysuria (<2%), hematuria (<2%), urinary frequency (<2%) 
  • Hematologic & oncologic: Anemia (<2%), thrombocythemia (<2%) 
  • Hepatic: Increased liver enzymes (≤6%) 
  • Hypersensitivity: Facial edema (<2%), hypersensitivity reaction (<2%) 
  • Nervous system: Anxiety (<2%), depression (<2%), drowsiness (<2%), fatigue (<2%), paresthesia (<2%), vertigo (<2%) 
  • Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia (<2%), lower limb cramps (<2%), myalgia (<2%), 
  • Otic: tinnitus (<2%) 
  • Renal: kidney stones nephrolithiasis (<2%) 
  • Respiratory:  cough (<2%), dyspnea (<2%), epistaxis (<2%), flu-like symptoms (<2%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%) 
  • Miscellaneous: fever (<2%) 

 

Some adverse reactions, such as sore throat or cramping, don’t require treatment. They resolve with time. But if side effect symptoms persist and/or become bothersome, call your healthcare provider. For example, symptoms to call and discuss may include severe skin reactions, bruising, dark or red urine color heartburn, headaches, gas, back pain, etc.

 

If you develop any other worrying symptoms, such as an allergic reaction, get medical help immediately. After taking medicine, classic signs of allergies are trouble swallowing, breathing, itching, rash, and swelling of the mouth, face, or hands.

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How to take Celebrex

Your pharmacist will provide instructions on taking your Celebrex prescription with or without other drugs.

Be sure to read your prescription label and follow the instructions. Call your doctor or pharmacy if you have any questions.

Celebrex can come in different forms and doses, so follow the specific instructions on your prescription. Celebrex is available in 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg of celecoxib capsules. It is typically prescribed in 400 mg a day or 200 mg twice daily. But, the oral doses will vary based on your current medical conditions. Different celecoxib dose groups have been tested during clinical trials. Some specific instructions for certain medical conditions may include:

  • For osteoarthritis: 200 mg a day / 100 mg twice daily

  • For rheumatoid arthritis: 100 mg to 200 mg twice daily

  • For acute pain: 200 mg twice daily, with a typical starting dose of 400 mg a day

  • For severe menstrual cramps and pain: 200 mg twice daily. The dose can increase to 400 mg.

  • For ankylosing spondylitis: 200 mg a day. The dose can increase to 400 mg.


You can consult a specialist before using the product for different medical conditions, including if you notice problems with renal function, rapid weight gain, or others. Or you plan to use other over-the-counter medicines.

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What to avoid while taking Celebrex

Celebrex has 390 currently known drug interactions, including one food or alcohol interaction and 10 disease interactions. Most of these drug interactions in clinical trials were moderate, some were serious, and the rest were minor. Don’t change what you take without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Talk to a healthcare provider about any potential drug reaction you might experience with a 400 mg dose or lower. That includes using other medications or supplements, as well as over-the-counter drugs. 

 

It is essential to avoid using aspirin or other NSAIDs. Unless instructed otherwise. NSAIDs and topicals could cause a new onset of high blood pressure (hypertension) or worsen the preexisting high blood pressure. As shown in different treatment groups. This can make patients treated prone to cardiovascular thrombotic events. When taking 400 mg Celebrex, it is vital to monitor the high blood pressure during the entire course of the therapy.

 

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is acceptable to consume alcohol while taking Celebrex. Alcohol is not usually recommended as it can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

 

Some research shows that regular alcohol consumption may amplify the risk of side effects like gastrointestinal problems and stomach ulcers. Alcohol may also reduce the medication’s ability to do its job, making it harder to curb the pain and inflammation. Consuming small amounts of alcohol shouldn’t be too harmful. But drinking it regularly can intensify its side effects. Too much alcohol can damage the kidneys and cause decreased alertness, shortness of breath, and an upset stomach or abdominal pain. It can put patients at risk of intestinal and stomach bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding.



If you notice problems with fluid retention, blood sodium increase, or renal function, you might need a treatment readjustment.

Medication alternatives to Celebrex

If your healthcare provider prefers to put you on another treatment altogether, they may suggest another Buprenex or Tramadol in another drug class known as Narcotic analgesics. Here are some common doctor-recommended Celebrex alternatives based on your health issue:

Chronic pain

Buprenex (Buprenorphine) is a potent analgesic that treats moderate to severe pains. This opioid painkiller can be viable when other analgesics don’t offer successful results. This is a prescription medicine that comes in the form of patches, tablets, or injections. The most classic adverse reactions are constipation, sleepiness, and feeling sick.  

Nerve-related and general pain

Tramadol is an effective medication for neuropathic pain. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis also struggle with neuropathic pain. This opioid pain medication has a fast-acting formulation, offering results in about 1 hour. It comes in a capsule but can also be obtained via injection. Its side effect profile usually includes constipation, skin rash, and feeling sick, tired, or discouraged.

Arthritis swelling, pain, and inflammation

Meloxicam, available under the Mobic brand, is another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is used for treating inflammation and aches in OA and rheumatoid arthritis. It is both an oral medication and an injectable. It is meant to offer temporary pain relief. Like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Meloxicam can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, heartburn, indigestion, etc.

Arthritis relief, muscle strains, or pains

Capsaicin cream is a topical pain medication that’s absorbed through the skin. You rub it on the skin and wait for it to relieve pain and discomfort. This cream is a valuable alternative, particularly for patients who have difficulty swallowing capsules. This product can cause side effects like swelling, burning, skin dryness, headache, fever, and more.

Medication alternatives

Celebrex prescription FAQs

Celebrex prescription FAQs

The average retail price for 50 mg Celebrex (60 capsules) is about $272.54. For 200 mg, and a supply of 30 capsules, you can expect to spend about $244. But the prices will vary based on the pharmacy, insurance coverage, discounts, and any coupons you might have.

How can I refill my Celebrex prescription?

You can mail a copy of your original pharmacy receipt or 200 mg Celebrex prescription when you plan to purchase more capsules. Since this is a prescription-only product, you need to use a valid prescription from your healthcare provider.

What should I avoid while taking Celebrex?

Don’t take low-dose aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with Celebrex without talking to your healthcare provider first. Refrain from drinking alcohol. Or using additional over-the-counter medicines unless instructed otherwise. Don't use this medicine after or before a coronary artery bypass graft.

When should you not take Celebrex?

You shouldn’t be taking Celebrex if you notice serious skin reactions, high blood pressure, severe adverse reactions, or other warning symptoms. Elderly patients (65 years or older) or those with pre-existing kidney problems are at a greater risk of developing kidney problems with Celebrex. Using certain other drugs for such patients, like elderly patients, might expose them to a greater risk of kidney problems. Also, let the doctor know if you have heart disease or an increased risk of heart problems and chest pain beforehand.

How long does it take Celebrex to reduce inflammation?

It depends from person to person. Some patients notice effective results in a couple of hours after a 400 mg dose. Such patients can experience quick relief. Others need a few more days to a week to experience pain reduction with clinical significance.

What happens if you take Celebrex on an empty stomach?

You should take Celebrex after a full meal. Otherwise, you might have an upset stomach, diarrhea, and indigestion. There is also a possibility of gastrointestinal bleeding. These adverse events might happen at any time during therapy without warning symptoms.

Who should not take Celebrex?

Check with your doctor if you have unstable blood pressure, alcoholism, and skin reactions, including chronic heart failure, asthma, dehydration, liver dysfunction, kidney problems, visible fluid retention, or higher odds of bleeding. You may not be able to use Celebrex with these health problems.

What happens if I miss a dose of Celebrex?

In case of a missed dose, take the product as soon as you can. But, if your next dose is right around the corner, then skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule. Sticking to this next dose can help. Avoid taking double doses.

What happens if I take too much Celebrex?

Overdose may cause belly pain, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, or other symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you think you took too much Celebrex.

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