What Is the Drug Celebrex Prescribed For?
Celebrex is the brand name for celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Produced by Pfizer, Celebrex works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain. It is less likely to cause negative gastrointestinal side effects than other NSAIDs, and does not interfere with blood clotting like other NSAIDs do.
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COX-2 Inhibitor
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Celebrex blocks the cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme that makes prostaglandins, chemicals that contribute to inflammation, pain, swelling and fever. As a COX-2 inhibitor, Celebrex causes lower concentrations of prostaglandins and decreases corresponding symptoms.
Arthritis
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Celebrex is mainly prescribed to treat pain or inflammation caused by chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory type of arthritis that affects the spinal joints.
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Severe Pain
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Physicians also prescribe Celebrex for severe menstrual cramps and for acute pain relief, such as pain following surgery or for muscle strain.
Hereditary Colon Polyps
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also has approved Celebrex for treating the genetic disease called familial adenomatous polyposis. People with this disorder develop large numbers of colon polyps that typically become malignant. Celebrex and other NSAIDs prevent the formation of these polyps and reduce the size of existing polyps.
Fibromatosis
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Physicians are allowed to prescribe medications for so-called "off-label" uses, and they commonly prescribe Celebrex to treat fibromatosis, a condition that causes many benign but painful soft tissue tumors.
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