Celebrex is categorized as a sulfa non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug by the NSAID. This medicine is to be used for long-term treatments and has lesser effects when taken only for a short time. Originally designed to give pain relief while eliminating or lessening the gastrointestinal effects like those of other NSAIDs. The short-term effects of Celebrex for pain can be likened to relief given by medicines like paracetamol and the likes.
The long term effects on the other hand is useful for patients suffering from joint pains like arthritis and the elimination of hereditary polyps.
This medicine can also be used to relieve moderate to severe pain due to surgery, tooth extraction or sprains provided that treatment should be short and should not exceed 7 days.

•    Prolonged usage of Celebrex may increase the chances of suffering from heart attack.
•    Just like other NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam) Celebrex may further increase this risk if the patient is suffering from high blood pressure.
•    Must never be used right before and right after a patient will undergo any kind of heart surgery.
•    May cause intestinal ulcers without warning thus it is important to be vigilant for any signs of blood in the bowel, especially on people taking aspirin. If such case happens, call your doctor.
•    People who have known allergic reactions to NSAIDs and other forms of medications should inform their doctor about it.

Before taking Celebrex, check with your doctor especially if you previously have or is currently suffering from the following:
•    High Blood Pressure
•    Chronic heart Failure
•    Tobacco smoking
•    Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
•    Heart attack
•    Kidney diseases
•    Pregnant
•    Extreme Water Loss from the body
•    Anemia
•    Alcoholic
•    Stomach and Intestinal Ulcer
•    Liver problems

In cases of osteoarthritis, the usual recommended dose is 200 mg taken once a day, or 100 mg 2 times a day.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the usual recommended starting dose is 100 mg 2 times a day. The dose may be increased to 200 mg 2 times daily as directed by your doctor.

In treating moderate to severe pain, the usual recommended dose is 400 mg taken once a day for the first day of the treatment, then 200 mg taken once a day.

The treatment should not exceed seven days. The maximum recommended dose is 400 mg per day.
Celebrex can be taken with or without food.

Important notice: Always consult with a doctor before starting treatment with Celebrex. Check the leaflet inside for instructions.

Missed doses are considered missed. Leave it and take the next scheduled dosage. Do not overdose to compensate for the missed one. If you remember and still with enough time before the next one, take it, if not then proceed with your regular dosing schedule.

During unexpected and emergency situations, Call for help right away and notify your physician for such matter. You may contact a poison control center or have you taken to the nearest hospital for abrupt treatment; if the person is passed out and not breathing, call 911 or your local emergency response team.

•    Avoid exposure to too much sunlight or man-made tanning beds as well as sunlamps as Bactrim is known to cause over-sensitive skin.

Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist.
Your pharmacist may be able to give you advice on what to do if side effects occur: heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain, runny nose, rash, dizziness, gas, sore throat.

Most side effects listed below do not happen very often, but they could lead to serious problems if you do not receive medical care.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occurs: rapid heartbeat, confusion, difficulty swallowing, depression, elevated blood pressure, swollen legs or feet, palpitations (abnormal heart rhythm giving the impression that the heart pounding, it vibrates or hits hard in the chest), symptoms of liver damage (such as yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, abdominal pain dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, itching).

Stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical attention if one of the following occurs: signs of heart attack
(pain or discomfort in the chest, neck, the jaw, back or abdomen, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or lightheadedness), symptoms of stroke: a sudden confusion, difficulty in expressing or understanding language, sudden numbness or weakness, affecting a particular side of the body, sudden problems with coordination or balance, sudden visual field defects in one eye or both eyes, severe headaches that occur suddenly (without apparent cause), symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: hives, breathing difficulty or swelling of lips, throat or tongue, symptoms of a severe skin reaction: high fever, rash, sores, or blisters on the skin, mouth or eyes, scaling; symptoms of bleeding in the stomach or intestine of black tarry stools, blood from the rectum, vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, rapid heart beat, the weakness or fainting; bladder symptoms such as pain bladder of urination difficult or painful, a show frequent small amounts of urine or blood in the urine; blurred vision, or other visual field defect.

Drug interactions have the tendency to change the effectiveness of either medicine.
It is important never to take Celebrex together with cidofovir as it can cause very serious interactions. If you have been using cidofovir, inform your physician if he/she will order you to take Celebrex.

Let your doctor know if you are taking the following medications:
•    Anti-platelet drugs
•    High blood pressure drugs
•    Oral bisphosphonates
•    Blood Thinners
•    Corticosteroids
•    Water pills and other diuretics
If you are taking any of these medications, consult your doctor first before taking Celebrex.