How to Use the Drug Celebrex

Celebrex is a medication that is primarily prescribed for the pain associated with arthritis. However, it can also be used to deal with others types of pain like those associated with muscle pulls, broken ribs or bruised bones. Celebrex is a NSAID medication and carries a lot of possible side effects. For that reason, anyone using the drug regularly should make themselves aware of its potential consequences.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Research NSAID medications and how they are used. Some NSAID drugs like ibuprofen are available over the counter and can be tried without a physician's approval. A physician must prescribe others, including Celebrex.

2. Make an appointment with your doctor to determine if Celebrex might work for your type of pain. He may wish to run tests, including a liver panel, before making a final decision. He will also want to determine if Celebrex could interact with other medications being taken.

3. Learn when the Celebrex is contraindicated. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or mothers who are breast-feeding. Individuals who have a habit of retaining fluids or those who dehydrate easily are not good candidates for this medication. Since the drug can cause heart attack, stroke, or both, people with heart problems should not take Celebrex. It is also not recommended for those who already have stomach ulcers or a history of intestinal bleeding.

4. Identify the typical side effects of Celebrex. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, gas, headache, heartburn, nausea and stomach pain.

5. Take Celebrex only as prescribed by the physician. Taking more medication than is recommended or taking it more often than recommended may lead to any or all of the problems noted in Steps 3, 4 and 5.

6. Take a missed dose of the medication as soon as you remember unless that dose would be too close to the next one. In that case, skip the missed dose and get back on schedule with the next one.

7. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms: bloating, bloody stool, bloody vomit, jaundice, rapid weight gain, skin irritation or itching, swelling of the extremities or uncontrollable fatigue.

8. Call the poison control center immediately if you experience any of the symptoms of a Celebrex overdose. These include but are not necessarily limited to blackout, severe stomach pain, shallow or rapid breathing, sluggishness or inability to move the body or vomiting.

9. Go to an emergency room immediately if you experience any of these symptoms: swelling of the facial area or any area of the body; difficulty drawing breath or swallowing, chest tightness or pain or a sudden onset of rash.

10. Submit to periodic testing of liver enzymes, blood, and kidney function to make certain the drug isn't doing any permanent damage to your system. Other tests may also be required based on an individual's medical history.

Tips & Warnings

• Store the medication at room temperature. In most instances, Celebrex can be taken with or without food or milk. If in doubt, check with your physician and follow his instructions. Inform your physician if you plan to attempt to get pregnant while taking Celebrex. It may be necessary to change or suspend the drug temporarily.

• Do not take Celebrex in conjunction with aspirin or any other NSAID medication. The drug cannot be taken in conjunction with sulfonamide antibiotics. People with asthma should not take Celebrex as it could further inhibit proper breathing.