Celecoxib

Celecoxib is a prescription medication typically used to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, painful menstrual periods, and acute pain. Unlike most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, this one works by blocking the effects of only the COX-2 enzyme, rather than blocking both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. The most common side effects of celecoxib are diarrhea, indigestion, and abdominal pain; however, most people tolerate the drug without problems.

 

An Overview of Celecoxib

Celecoxib (Celebrex®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to pain and inflammation. It is part of a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short. It is a specific type of NSAID known as a COX-2 inhibitor.
 

Who Makes Celecoxib?

Celecoxib is manufactured by Pfizer.
 

Uses of Celecoxib

Uses of celecoxib include the following:
 
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.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;