What it's for (Indications)
- This medication is used for treating mild to moderate pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute pain, primary dysmenorrhea, headaches, and menstrual cramps.
Dosage Information
| Type | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Standard | Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. - **Osteoarthritis (OA)**: 200 mg once daily or 100 mg twice daily. - **Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)**: 100 mg to 200 mg twice daily. - **Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)**: For patients 10 kg to 25 kg, 50 mg twice daily; for patients over 25 kg, 100 mg twice daily. - **Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)**: 200 mg once daily (single dose) or 100 mg twice daily. If no effect is observed after 6 weeks, a trial of 400 mg (single or divided doses) may be considered. - **Acute Pain (AP) and Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD)**: 400 mg initially, followed by a 200 mg dose if needed on the first day. On subsequent days, 200 mg twice daily as needed. |
Safety & Warnings
Common Side Effects
- Common side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, peripheral edema (swelling), accidental injury, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, flu-like symptoms, difficulty in breathing, respiratory tract infections (e.
- g.
- , pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections), pruritus, and skin itching.
- More serious adverse reactions can include hepatic function changes, heart function changes, cardiovascular thrombotic events, gastrointestinal bleeding/ulceration/perforation, hepatotoxicity, hypertension, heart failure, renal toxicity (including hyperkalemia), anaphylactic reactions, serious skin reactions, and hematologic toxicity.
Serious Warnings
- Black Box Warning: WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in the treatment and may increase with duration of use.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including celecoxib, can cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events (myocardial infarction, stroke) and serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation.
- There is potential for hepatotoxicity, hypertension, heart failure and edema, renal toxicity (including hyperkalemia), and hematologic toxicity.
- Anaphylactic reactions and serious skin reactions may also occur.
- This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.
- Patients should avoid consuming alcohol when taking this medicine.
- Due to potential drowsiness, patients should avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving, immediately after taking this medicine.
- Caution is advised for patients with cardiac, renal, and hepatic impairment, a history of gastrointestinal disease, hypertension, and in the elderly.
How it Works (Mechanism of Action)
Celecoxib possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Its mechanism of action is believed to be primarily through the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, specifically via COX-2 inhibition. This results in a decrease of prostaglandins in peripheral tissues, which are mediators of inflammation and pain.