How to Use Celebrex to Treat Arthritis

Celebrex is a popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Part of the Cox 2 inhibitor class of medications, Celebrex is used to treat a variety of painful conditions, from arthritis to menstrual cramps. Celebrex has often been referred to as "super aspirin," due to its aspirin base. It was designed as an improvement upon traditional NSAIDs, which carried a large risk of stomach bleeding. While this still remains a risk with Celebrex, it is a reduced risk. If you have arthritis, you should learn how to treat it with Celebrex. Read on to learn more about how to use Celebrex to treat arthritis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Food
• 8 oz. glass of water
• Celebrex prescription

Use Celebrex to Treat Arthritis

1. Get a prescription for Celebrex from your doctor.
2. Take Celebrex once or twice a day, depending on the instructions you receive from your doctor. Never take it more than twice in 12 hours, and be sure to swallow the capsule whole.
3. Take Celebrex with food. This will help protect your stomach from possible damage to the lining that Celebrex has been known to cause.
4. Drink an entire 8 oz. glass of water with your Celebrex capsule. This will help dilute acid in your stomach, thus reducing your risk of damage to its lining when you take Celebrex.
5. Refrain from lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking Celebrex. Being in a horizontal position pushes stomach acid up into your esophagus and could damage it if you're prone to indigestion or heartburn. The risk of damage increases for a short time immediately after taking Celebrex.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to take your Celebrex regularly and on schedule. It takes a week or two for the effects of this drug to build up enough for you to realize a significant benefit from it. Missing doses, especially early on in your treatment, won't allow enough Celebrex to accumulate in your system to help you.
• Because people use Celebrex to treat many different types of pain, you may find it helps you in other areas besides arthritis. Headaches and menstrual cramps may be significantly lessened while you use this drug. However, never take more than the recommended dose, and do not take it more often than prescribed.
• Celebrex has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. If you're taking it, be sure you get frequent check-ups from your doctor, especially if you've had heart problems in the past.
• Celebrex is an aspirin-based drug. Do not take it if you have an allergy to aspirin.
• Do not take Celebrex for the month before or after heart surgery, unless under close medical supervision.
• Celebrex should not be taken with other aspirin-based drugs, other NSAIDs or any blood-thinning medication.