Celebrex is the trading name for the active substance Celecoxib, when produced and marketed by G. D. Searle & Co. Celebrex is a pain relief medication with anti-inflammatory qualities, and is very capable of relieving pain and reducing swelling and soreness. Celebrex is commonly used to relieve acute pain in adults, such as pain after dental surgery, and women suffering from painful menstruations are often helped by Celebrex.

Celebrex can also be used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis common in elderly patients, and is caused by the life long tear on bones and joints. For people suffering from a disease called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Celebrex can be used to reduce the amount of colon and rectum growths (colorectal polyps).

Side effects of celebrex

1. Rash
2. Hives
3. Breathing difficulties
4. Dizziness
5. Tightness of chest
6. swelling of eyelids, face or lips.

If you experience any side effects please consult your doctor.

Celebrex - NSAID pain relief medication

Celebrex is a NSAID pain relief medication, which means that it is a Non Steroid Anti Inflammatory Drug. NSAIDs can suppress inflammations in a way similar to steroids, but NSAIDs usually have less severe and less frequent side effects than the steroids.

Celebrex and other NSAIDs will also work as pain relief medication and lower a high temperature. Contrary to some other types of pain relief medication, NSAIDs do not have a strong anticlotting effect.NSAIDs work as a pain relief medication by hampering the synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other compounds involved in the inflammatory process in the body. Celebrex is a cox-2 inhibitor, which means that it hampers only the production of an enzyme called clooxygenase-2. Since Celebrex do not interfere with the cox-1 production, Celebrex usually causes fewer problems from the stomach tract than pain relief medications capable of hampering the cox-1 production as well. There is however always a risk of stomach problems even with cox-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex.

Celebrex - serious side effects

Just like other NSAID pain relief medications Celebrex can cause serious side effects. The risk of developing a bleeding stomach ulcer increases with long term Celebrex treatment, but in some cases bleeding stomach ulcer has occurred even during short term usage.

Other serious health problems linked to Celebrex are liver damage, kidney problems and fluid retention. Patients suffering from high blood pressure or heart failure are extra sensitive to fluid retention. Common, but less serious, side effects caused by Celebrex are headaches, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea and indigestion. Celebrex also increases the risk of upper respiratory tract infections (i.e. colds) and sinus inflammations. 

Celebrex - lower the risk

You can dramatically lower the risk of stomach problems by abstaining from alcohol while using Celebrex.

It is also imperative to tell the prescribing doctor about all other medications that you are using, or are planning to use, during the Celebrex treatment. Celebrex can interact with several types of medication, including ACE inhibitors, fluconazole, warfarin, lithium and furosemide.

Keep in mind that it is unadvisable to use any other NSAID pain relief medication while using Celebrex, and discus it with your doctor if you still wish to do so. Pregnant women should not use Celebrex as a pain relief medication during the last trimester, and Celebrex treatment during the first and second trimester should be carefully discussed with a doctor. Traces of Celebrex may pass into breast milk, so it is advisable to ask your doctor to prescribe a more suitable pain relief medication than Celebrex if you are breast feeding.