Celebrex (Celecoxib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Celebrex Used For?
Celebrex contains celecoxib and belongs to a group of medicines called coxibs, which are used to relieve pain and inflammation in various conditions.
Primary Uses
Celebrex treats joint pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the spine). It also provides short-term pain relief for menstrual cramps, post-surgery pain, and muscle and joint injuries.
How It Works
Celebrex relieves symptoms of pain and inflammation, but it will not cure your underlying condition.
Good to know: Celebrex is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
How to Take Celebrex
Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water. Celebrex can be taken with or without food.
Dosage Instructions
Osteoarthritis: 200 mg once daily or 100 mg twice daily. Rheumatoid arthritis: 100 mg twice daily (may increase to 200 mg twice daily for flare-ups). Ankylosing spondylitis: 100 mg twice daily or 200 mg once daily. Menstrual cramps: 400 mg on first day, then 200 mg twice daily for up to 5 days. Muscle/joint injuries or post-surgery: 400 mg first dose, then 200 mg once or twice daily as needed for up to 5 days.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Take at the same time each day for best results.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Gas/wind
- Swollen hands, ankles and feet
- Unexplained weight gain
- Dizziness
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Sinusitis
- Upper respiratory tract infection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Skin rash, hives, raised red itchy spots
- Blistering and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
- Swelling, blistering or peeling skin with fever, chills, headache
- Muscle weakness
- Allergic reactions (wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty swallowing/breathing)
- Collapse, fainting, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, chest pain
- Severe stomach/throat pain, vomiting blood, black sticky bowel motions
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Nausea, lethargy, flu-like symptoms, yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice)
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, shortness of breath, pale appearance)
- Hearing loss or deterioration
- Confusion
- Eye redness, irritation or watering
- Hallucinations (false sensations)
- Severe headache, fever, stiff neck, light sensitivity, vomiting
- Sudden severe headache, loss of consciousness, sudden numbness/paralysis, difficulty speaking/understanding
Important Warnings
Do not take Celebrex if you have certain medical conditions or allergies. Always inform your healthcare providers that you’re taking this medication.
Who Should Not Take Celebrex
Do not take if you’ve had allergic reactions to aspirin, NSAIDs, or other coxib medicines; are allergic to celecoxib, sulfonamides, or any ingredients; have chest pains/angina at rest; have blood circulation problems; have severe heart, blood vessel, or brain circulation disease; have congestive heart failure; had recent heart attack, stroke, or blood vessel disease (especially within 3 months); have ulcers or gastric bleeding; have kidney problems; have severe liver problems; or are undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke history, high cholesterol, circulation problems, allergies, liver or kidney problems, asthma, fluid retention, peptic ulcers, bowel problems like ulcerative colitis, current infections, or if you drink alcohol or smoke.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Celebrex may affect your developing baby and is not recommended during pregnancy unless essential. Use particular caution from the twentieth week of pregnancy. Small amounts pass into breast milk, so discuss breastfeeding with your doctor. NSAIDs may cause reversible infertility in some women and increase risk of spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy.
Heart Risk Warning: Your risk of heart attack or blood vessel diseases may increase with dose and duration of use, even without a history of heart disease.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Celebrex and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Antacid Timing: If you need antacids, take them at least 2 hours before or after your Celebrex dose.
- Blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, beta blockers, diuretics)
- Digoxin (for heart rhythm)
- Blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran)
- Aspirin or salicylates
- Corticosteroids (prednisolone)
- Other NSAIDs
- Antacids
- Dextromethorphan (cough medicine)
- Diabetes medications
- Methotrexate
- Glucocorticoids
- Ciclosporin
- Lithium
- Fluconazole (antifungal)
- Rifampicin (antibiotic)
- Carbamazepine (antiepileptic)
Alcohol & Driving
Celebrex is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but you should be cautious until you know how it affects you.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Large amounts of alcohol should be avoided while taking Celebrex.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Celebrex affects you.
Storage
Store Celebrex below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep capsules in their blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground, away from children. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Celebrex, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Symptoms may include feeling tired/drowsy, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, and feeling faint. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Celebrex is designed to control pain, swelling and stiffness. For acute conditions like menstrual cramps or injuries, it may be used for up to 5 days. For chronic conditions, you may need it for longer periods as determined by your doctor.
Yes, Celebrex can be taken with or without food. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
You should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. The medication information warns against drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking Celebrex.
Keep taking Celebrex for as long as your doctor advises. Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before deciding to stop taking any of your medicines. For chronic conditions, you may need regular check-ups to monitor your condition and treatment.
The source doesn’t provide specific information about elderly patients, but it emphasizes the importance of discussing all medical conditions with your doctor before taking Celebrex, and having regular check-ups if taking it long-term.
Tell your surgeon or anesthetist that you are taking Celebrex before any surgery, as it may affect other medicines used during surgery. Celebrex should not be used if you’re undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.