Get Informed: Celebrex
Active Ingredient(s)
Celecoxib
What does it do?
This product is primarily used to treat mild to moderate pain and inflammation. It is a COX-2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-21 1:56 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Celebrex
- Celecoxib
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to an increased risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Dec 1998
- Est US Patients*
- 4,310,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Celebrex or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Celebrex
There have been no alerts regarding Celebrex during the past year.
Celebrex Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Celebrex used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 25,300 patients that use Celebrex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis | 51% | 
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 15% |
|
| Pain | 7% |
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 4% | 
|
| Pain-Musculoskeletal | 4% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 2% |
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 2% |
|
| Other | 22% |
|
How well does Celebrex work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 25,300 users taking Celebrex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 70%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Celebrex outweigh the bad things.
- 16%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Celebrex.
Common Side Effects of Celebrex
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 25,300 users taking Celebrex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
25% of patients experience side-effects on Celebrex
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Celebrex
Most Common Side Effects...
-
High Blood Pressure
-
Heartburn/Reflux
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bleeding, Bloating/Gas, Constipation, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Fatigue, Liver Problems, Low Blood Pressure, Swelling/Edema, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Celebrex (Celecoxib) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
What can I take when i get a headache with Celebrex? I noticed it says most pain relievers increase the bleeding risks.
30 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-25 21:36:20
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is generally your safest alternative in terms of avoiding bleeding risks and drug interactions. If you do not have other underlying medical conditions this could be the best choice for you. A typical dose is 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours until relief. You should typically stay well under 4000mg daily total per day. If your headaches persist you should seek medical advice in order to determine the cause.
Posted: 2009-10-29 20:34:44
Question/Comment:
What can replace Celebrex and work as well that does not have sulphur in it. I have had alergic reactions when i use Celebrex and am looking for an alternative.
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-19 10:38:04
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Unfortunately, there is nothing available in the U.S. that is exactly like Celebrex, but there are many other medications that will have similar effects. There is ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin, these are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). There are many other drugs in this class as well. Ultram is a completely different kind of drug, and can work well for many people, depending on the type of pain that you are experiencing. There are also combination products with ibuprofen or Tylenol, and a form of codeine. Speak with your doctor to determine product that would work well for you and does not interact with your medications or medical conditions.
Posted: 2009-08-23 17:07:43
Question/Comment:
Celebrex has been amazing for me. I was a national-level swimmer in high school, but training was hard on my body and I began to have increasingly severe back pain. My doctors found that I had a spinal stress fracture when I was fifteen. Celebrex was the first drug I tried, but my insurance denied coverage and I had to quit after my samples ran out.I continued on to NCAA athletics while trying many other medications (naproxen, diclofenac, elavil, cymbalta, high-dose tylenol, etc.) and copious amounts of physical therapy (4+ hours a week in addition to my swimming practices.)
I finally had to quit swimming because of the pain. I got a new orthopedist when I lost my team physician, and the first thing he suggested was Celebrex. I was able to get pre-authorization (although it took about a week + bothering the insurance company) because of bleeding on dicolfenac, and now I'm taking 200mg/day again. I take Prilosec OTC to prevent ulcers, even though Celebrex is supposed to be easier on your stomach (better safe than sorry.) I have almost no pain when I'm not active, whereas before my pain was constant.
Celebrex is kind of expensive, and I'll be happy to see the generic come out, but I think it's completely worth it.
20 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-14 15:41:04
Answer/Reply:
I take Celebrex for arthritis and it does nothing for my constant back pain. I've been seeing a chiropractor since I was 15 for my back. I have tried numerous over the counter pain medications and nothing works. I only take 200 mg of Celebrex per day and it doesn't seem to work any better than anything else I've tried. A friend of mine keeps telling me I need to ask my doctor if I have fibromyalgia and if so, see if I can get on something for that or see if it's safe for me to take a higher dosage of Celebrex? I have high blood pressure and am not sure I want to do that. Chiropractic, massage & ice packs make the pain manageable to a point but there are some days when I feel really ill from the pain. I just wish there was something more that could be done for me. Glad to hear that the Celebrex works so well for your back pain.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-28 13:01:24
Question/Comment:
I have been alerted that I am at a high (6 alerts) risk (#5) of side effects re: Celebrex. I have taken it successfully for years for severe osteoporosis to help treat severe pain and inflammation. I did develop reflux as a side effect of Celebrex, now being successfully managed with Zegrid. While I have much respect for the iGuard staff's warnings and advice regarding the many risks of continuing Celebrex, I am hesitant to print out the information you have provided and take it to my rheumatalogist without including stats from more scientific sources than Wickepedia and the Patient Information provided with the Celebrex. Is there any other data available in any medical or pharmaceutical journals? Thank you.
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-04 19:53:12
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The iGuard risk rating uses the side effect and risk information in the prescribing information and clinical trials published for the medication. The personalized risk rating incorporates the potential drug and condition interactions that are listed in your profile.
The wikipedia link and the link to the patient information are only for patient reference. They are not used as part of the risk rating calculation.
Posted: 2009-08-12 23:55:25
Question/Comment:
I will be having surgery soon and expect to be prescribed a narcotic painkiller, to be taken for about a week,
I think a codeine product is compatible with Celebrex, but I don't know about others... Vicodin, etc.
What narcotic pain medications are okay to take (for a short period of time) with Celebrex?
76 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-27 13:15:06
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Both codeine and hydrocodone products have a potential interaction with Celebrex. Celebrex may increase codeine and hydrocodone levels in your body and may increase the risk of side effects from codeine and hydrocodone. However, Celebrex is commonly taken with narcotic pain medicines like codeine and hydrocodone and the risk of side effects can be reduced by using the lowest dose possible of the two medications. You can also monitor for side effects of extreme drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or difficulty breathing and follow up with your doctor if any of these symptoms occur.
Your physician will be able to make the best determination for controlling your pain post surgery. You should discuss your concerns with the drug selection and be sure to share your complete medication and physical condition profile.
Posted: 2009-07-28 22:31:05
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Celebrex