Celebrex is a drug that is widely prescribed for pain and inflammation caused by ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis and menstrual periods. The drug is also prescribed for treating hereditary polyps in the colon.
Drug usage
Celebrex belongs to Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). The drug acts on the hormones, which causes pain and inflammation.
How taken
Once you are prescribed Celebrex, you should have to strictly follow your doctor's direction. Never deviate from your prescriptions. Take care that you do not take larger dose of the medicines and also that you do not take the drug for longer periods unless told by your physician.
Celebrex may be taken with milk or food to avoid stomach upset. You should only swallow the capsule and not chew or break or crush the drug as it has to enter the body slowly. If there is any problem in swallowing, take out the granules and mix it in some applause and take it. But take care that the mixture is taken whole.
Missed dose/overdose
Celebrex may only be prescribed as needed and so you may not be under a schedule. If you under any dosage schedule, take care not to miss any dosage. If a dose is missed, you can have it as soon as you remember it. But do not take the missed dose if it is time for your regular dose. Never compensate for a missed dose.
If you think of having taken an overdose, better seek immediate medical help. Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, drowsiness, coughing up blood, black or bloody stools, shallow breathing and fainting are some of the overdose symptoms.
More information
You should have to discuss with your physician about all your medical conditions before he prescribes Celebrex. Talk with him about all your allergies and also about all you ailments, which will help him to decide on the right prescription.
Tell frankly if you have a history of stroke, heart attack, blood clot, bleeding or stomach ulcers, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, liver problems, kidney diseases, seizures and polyps. The doctor may go for a dosage regulation or he may not prescribe Celebrex if you have any of the above conditions.
Celebrex is rated FDA pregnancy category C. This means that the drug is harmful to the foetus. So if you are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, do not use the drug. The drug is traced in breast milk and so feeding should be avoided if you are on Celebrex medication.
Celebrex is also not given to children below 2 years of age.
Warnings
Celebrex should be avoided if you are having allergies to celecoxib and NSAIDs.
The drug should not be used after or before any heart surgery. Avoid alcohol as mixing it with the drug can bring in many health complications.
As the drug can interfere with certain lab tests, you should have to inform the lab technician and the doctor about Celebrex medication.
Side effects
Some of the allergic reactions that come with Celebrex are hives, swelling and difficulty breathing.
Some of the serious side effects include chest pain, slurred speech, vision or balance problems, black/bloody/tarry stools, coughing up blood, vomit looking like coffee grounds, swelling, less urination, stomach pain, fever, appetite loss and muscle weakness.
