Creator: SingleCare
Published: 2020-09-15T10:18:42-04:00

Key takeaways

Celebrex (celecoxib) is a selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAID prescribed for pain and inflammation associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, offering lower risks of stomach ulcers compared to non-selective NSAIDs.
Common side effects of Celebrex include indigestion, heartburn, and dizziness, while serious side effects may involve increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and gastrointestinal issues.
Celebrex carries FDA warnings about potential for serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal events, and its interaction with drugs like SSRIs, ACE inhibitors, and warfarin requires careful management.
Treatment duration with Celebrex varies; it can be used short-term for acute pain or long-term for chronic conditions, but patients should undergo periodic evaluation, especially if used for over a month.

If you’re living with arthritis, pain after surgery, or painful menstrual cramps, you know it can be difficult to find pain relief from over-the-counter drugs. Celebrex is a prescription medication that reduces pain and inflammation. Let’s look at what Celebrex is, its side effects, drug interactions, and how it’s dosed. We’ll also compare it to other pain relievers.

What is Celebrex?

Celebrex (celecoxib) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is prescribed to treat pain and inflammation. It works by blocking the production of certain substances called prostaglandins, which are partly responsible for pain and inflammation. Celebrex commonly treats pain and inflammation from autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is also approved to treat acute pain after a procedure or injury.

Celebrex is further classified as a selective COX-2 inhibitor. In other words, it selectively blocks the COX-2 enzyme that is found in areas of inflammation. Non-selective NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can block both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Drugs that block the COX-1 enzyme can increase the risk of bleeding or ulcers in the stomach and intestines since COX-1 has a protective effect on the gastrointestinal lining. COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex have a relatively low risk of ulcers and stomach issues with long-term use.

Celebrex is the brand name of celecoxib, and it is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Brand-name and generic celecoxib work the same way and are equally effective. The main difference between brand-name and generic medications is that the brand-name versions are often more expensive than generics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both brand-name and generic celecoxib as effective medications for pain and inflammation. They’re not narcotics, nor do they work as muscle relaxers.

Celebrex can be expensive as a brand-name medication. Without insurance, a month’s supply of Celebrex costs a cash price of $360 on average. Medicare and insurance plans typically don’t cover Celebrex, but they may provide coverage for the generic version of celecoxib. Using SingleCare’s prescription discount card may help reduce the total cash price of Celebrex at participating pharmacies.

What is Celebrex used for?

Celebrex is FDA-approved to treat the following health conditions:

Celebrex may be used off-label for a number of other conditions, including migraines and gout. However, Celebrex should only be used as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Celebrex dosages

Celebrex is available as an oral capsule that comes in strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg. It is usually taken once or twice daily for pain, depending on the condition being treated. A doctor typically prescribes the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration. Here are the standard dosages of Celebrex for different medical conditions:

Osteoarthritis	Rheumatoid arthritis	Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis	Ankylosing spondylitis	Primary dysmenorrhea	Acute pain
200 mg taken once daily or 100 mg taken twice daily	100 to 200 mg taken twice daily	50 mg taken twice daily for children who weigh between 10 and 25 kg. Children who weigh more than 25 kg can take 100 mg twice daily	200 mg taken once daily or 100 mg taken twice daily	400 mg initially, and then 200 mg as needed on the first day. After the first day, 200 mg can be taken twice daily as needed	400 mg initially, and then 200 mg as needed on the first day. After the first day, 200 mg can be taken twice daily as needed

Celebrex can be taken in the morning or at night, with or without food. Food may help improve the absorption of Celebrex and prevent an upset stomach. If you have trouble swallowing capsules whole, you can try opening the capsule and mixing it with a spoonful of applesauce.

If you miss a dose of Celebrex, it’s best to take the dose you missed as soon as you remember. If you remember you’ve missed a dose and it’s almost time to take your second dose of the day, then only take your second dose. Skipping the forgotten dose will help prevent an accidental overdose, which could cause serious side effects.

Common side effects of Celebrex

As with any medication, taking Celebrex comes with the potential for side effects. Here are some of the most common side effects that someone might experience from taking Celebrex:

Indigestion
Heartburn
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Gas
Dizziness
Swelling in the legs, feet, ankles, arms, or hands
Respiratory tract infections
Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Rash

Serious side effects of Celebrex

Most side effects of Celebrex are temporary. When taken as prescribed, Celebrex is a relatively safe drug. However, serious side effects are possible, especially in certain people with a history of heart or gastrointestinal problems. Serious side effects of Celebrex include:

Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
Increased risk of bleeding or ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract
New or worsened high blood pressure
Heart failure
Liver problems
Kidney problems
Anemia
Severe allergic or skin reactions

If you’re taking Celebrex and start to have any difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face, neck, or throat, you should immediately seek medical attention. These are signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can be life-threatening.

Celebrex warnings and precautions

The FDA label for Celebrex includes a black box warning about serious cardiovascular thrombotic events. Taking Celebrex can increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Taking Celebrex can also increase the risk of bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines. People with a history of cardiovascular or gastrointestinal issues are more likely to be at risk of experiencing these Celebrex side effects than other people.

If you’re taking Celebrex and start to have chest pain, slurred speech, or sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, you should seek emergency medical help right away. These are signs of a heart attack or stroke, which can be life-threatening. Celebrex can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke even if you don’t have any risk factors, so it’s always a good idea to know the warning signs.

Tell your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood that may look like coffee grounds, unusual weight gain, or extreme fatigue. These signs and symptoms are associated with stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Celebrex overdose

If you think you may have overdosed on Celebrex, you should call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms of overdose include nausea, severe stomach pain, lethargy, tiredness, and vomiting.

Celebrex restrictions

Certain people should talk to their healthcare provider before taking Celebrex due to the risk of worsened health conditions or serious side effects. These include people with any of the following:

Known hypersensitivity or allergy to Celebrex, any other ingredients in the drug, other NSAIDs, sulfonamides, or sulfa drugs
A history of asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs
Recent or upcoming coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Some people may need to use caution while using Celebrex or other NSAIDs, including those with a history of the following:

Intestinal or stomach bleeding, ulcers, or perforation
Kidney, liver, or heart problems

When it comes to kids, Celebrex is safe to take if prescribed by a doctor. On the other hand, elderly patients are the most at risk of experiencing serious side effects from Celebrex.

Celebrex drug interactions

Taking Celebrex at the same time as certain other medications may cause side effects or affect how well Celebrex works. The use of Celebrex should be monitored or avoided while taking any of the following medications unless approved by a doctor:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
Beta-blockers
Diuretics
Corticosteroids
Other drugs, such as:
- Warfarin
- Aspirin
- Digoxin
- Lithium
- Methotrexate
- Pemetrexed
- Cyclosporine
- Fluconazole

This is not a complete list of possible drugs that Celebrex can interact with. Discuss with a doctor all the medications you’re taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicine, and herbal supplements.

When does Celebrex start working?

Celebrex is a potent NSAID pain reliever. It should start working to reduce pain and inflammation relatively quickly, but the amount of time it takes the medication to provide maximum relief will vary from person to person.

Many people will feel relief from their symptoms in one or two days, although others might not experience full pain relief until one or two weeks after starting treatment. If there’s no improvement in symptoms after taking Celebrex for two to three weeks, it may be time to talk with your doctor about taking a different medication.

How long is treatment with Celebrex?

The amount of time someone needs to be on Celebrex will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some people may need to take Celebrex long-term for conditions like arthritis, and some people might only need to take it for a few days for something like menstrual cramps.

“I don’t recommend taking Celebrex daily for more than a month,” says Farzin Kabaei, MD, an Orthopedic Surgeon at DOCS Spine and Orthopedics in Los Angeles. “If a patient needs to take it for 30 days or longer, I recommend annual blood work to check kidney function. I don’t believe Celebrex is more harmful than a patient regularly taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) daily. However, I ask my patients to exercise some caution by taking no more than 200 mg (one pill) per day.”

For many people, the benefits of taking Celebrex will outweigh the potential side effects. Consult with a healthcare provider to determine how long you should take Celebrex.

Can Celebrex be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Celebrex isn’t the right pain reliever for everyone. There are currently no adequate and controlled studies of Celebrex in pregnant women, and many doctors avoid prescribing Celebrex during pregnancy because of potential effects on fetal health. Some reports show that Celebrex can pass from mothers to babies via breastfeeding, but the way in which Celebrex affects infants isn’t completely understood.

Are there alternatives to Celebrex?

Certain people may want to try an alternative to Celebrex due to allergies, side effects, or cost. Other treatment options are available that can help reduce pain and inflammation. Here are some of the most common alternatives to Celebrex:

Drug name	Uses	Pros and cons	Savings options	Medication comparison
Mobic (meloxicam)	Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis	Mobic may be preferred over Celebrex because it only has to be taken once per day. However, Celebrex may be better for ankylosing spondylitis or menstrual cramps.	Mobic coupon	Learn more
Aleve (naproxen)	Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Ankylosing spondylitis Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Tendonitis Bursitis Gout Primary dysmenorrhea	Aleve is available to purchase over the counter in low doses. Aleve may be more likely to cause stomach ulcers than Celebrex.	Aleve coupon	Learn more
Ibuprofen	Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Primary dysmenorrhea Migraines	Ibuprofen is available to purchase over the counter, but it may have a higher risk of causing stomach ulcers than Celebrex.	Ibuprofen coupon	Learn more
Voltaren (diclofenac sodium)	Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Ankylosing spondylitis	Voltaren is available as an over-the-counter topical gel that can be applied directly to areas of pain and inflammation.	Voltaren coupon	Learn more

Consult with a healthcare provider if you’re considering an alternative to Celebrex. A healthcare provider can give you instructions on how to stop taking Celebrex and start taking an alternative medication.