Celecoxib Uses

Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug primarily used to treat conditions that are related to pain and inflammation. Treatment of arthritis is one of the most common uses for celecoxib. Researchers hope that the drug soon can be used to treat certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer. Approved uses also extend to the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis -- a hereditary condition that causes colorectal polyps.

Celecoxib (Celebrex)

What Is Celecoxib Used For?

Celecoxib (Celebrex^®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to pain and inflammation. These celecoxib uses include the following:

Acute pain relief, such as for pain following a procedure or muscle strain.

Treatment of arthritis symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and swelling. Celecoxib can be used to treat several different types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), and ankylosing spondylitis. However, the medication cannot cure these conditions.
Treatment of painful menstrual periods.

Celecoxib has also been shown to decrease the number of colon and rectal polyps in people with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a hereditary condition that can cause hundreds of growths (called polyps) in the colon and rectum. People with FAP usually develop colon cancer and/or rectal cancer by their late 30s.

How Does Celecoxib Work?

Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is part of a class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors. The drug works by blocking a particular enzyme (COX-2) that plays a role in pain and inflammation in the body. Unlike other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen) that target both the COX-1 and the COX-2 enzymes, celecoxib only targets the COX-2 enzyme. The COX-1 enzyme plays an important role in protecting the lining of the stomach.

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