CELEBREX®
(celecoxib capsules)
M edication Guide
for Non-Steroidal A nti-Inflam m atory Drugs (NSAIDs)
(See the end of this Medication Guide for a list of prescription NSAID medicines.)
What is the most important information I should know about medicines
called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAID medicines may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke
that can lead to death.
This chance increases:
•
with longer use of NSAID medicines
•
in people who have heart disease
NSAID medicines should never be used right before or after a heart
surgery called a “coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).”
NSAID medicines can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and
intestines at any time during treatment. Ulcers and bleeding:
•
can happen without warning symptoms
•
may cause death
The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with:
•
taking medicines called “corticosteroids” and “anticoagulants”
•
longer use
•
smoking
•
drinking alcohol
•
older age
•
having poor health
NSAID medicines should only be used:
•
exactly as prescribed
•
at the lowest dose possible for your treatment
•
for the shortest time needed
What are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAID medicines are used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat
(inflammation) from medical conditions such as:
•
different types of arthritis
•
menstrual cramps and other types of short-term pain
Who should not take a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)?
Do not take an NSAID medicine:
•
if you had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin
or any other NSAID medicine
•
for pain right before or after heart bypass surgery
Tell your healthcare provider:
•
about all of your medical conditions.
•
about all of the medicines you take. NSAIDs and some other medicines
can interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Keep a list of
your medicines to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
•
if you are pregnant. NSAID medicines should not be used by pregnant
women late in their pregnancy.
•
if you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory
Drugs (NSAIDs)?
Serious side effects include:
Other side effects include:
• heart attack
• stomach pain
• stroke
• constipation
• high blood pressure
• diarrhea
• heart failure from body swelling
• gas
(fluid retention)
• heartburn
• kidney problems including kidney
• nausea
failure
• vomiting
• bleeding and ulcers in the
• dizziness
stomach and intestine
• low red blood cells (anemia)
• life-threatening skin reactions
• life-threatening allergic reactions
• liver problems including liver failure
• asthma attacks in people who have
asthma
Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
• shortness of breath or trouble
• slurred speech
breathing
• swelling of the face or throat
• chest pain
• weakness in one part or side of
your body
Stop your NSAID medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if
you have any of the following symptoms:
• nausea
• more tired or weaker than usual
• itching
• your skin or eyes look yellow
• stomach pain
• flu-like symptoms
• vomit blood
there is blood in your bowel
movement or it is black and sticky
like tar
skin rash or blisters with fever
unusual weight gain
swelling of the arms and legs,
hands and feet
These are not all the side effects with NSAID medicines. Talk to your
healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information about
NSAID medicines.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report
side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other information about Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
•
Aspirin is an NSAID medicine but it does not increase the chance of a
heart attack. Aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and
intestines. Aspirin can also cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
•
Some of these NSAID medicines are sold in lower doses without a
prescription (over-the-counter). Talk to your healthcare provider before
using over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days.
NSAID medicines that need a prescription
Generic Name
Tradename
Celecoxib
Celebrex
Diclofenac
Cataflam, Voltaren, Arthrotec (combined with misoprostol)
Diflunisal
Dolobid
Etodolac
Lodine, Lodine XL
Fenoprofen
Nalfon, Nalfon 200
Flurbiprofen
Ansaid
Ibuprofen
Motrin, Tab-Profen, Vicoprofen* (combined with
hydrocodone), Combunox (combined with oxycodone)
Indomethacin
Indocin, Indocin SR, Indo-Lemmon, Indomethagan
Ketoprofen
Oruvail
Ketorolac
Toradol
Mefenamic Acid
Ponstel
Meloxicam
Mobic
Nabumetone
Relafen
Naproxen
Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, EC-Naproxyn,
Naprelan, Naprapac (copackaged with lansoprazole)
Oxaprozin
Daypro
Piroxicam
Feldene
Sulindac
Clinoril
Tolmetin
Tolectin, Tolectin DS, Tolectin 600
*Vicoprofen contains he same dose of ibuprofen as over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs,
and is usually used for less than 10 days to treat pain. The OTC NSAID label warns
that long term continuous use may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
This M e d ic a tio n G uide h a s be e n a p p ro v e d b y the U.S. F ood a n d D ru g A d m in istra tio n .
D i s t r i b u t e d b y
G .D . Searle L L C
Division o f Pfizer, Inc, NY, NY 100
LAB-0324-4.0
© 2010 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved.
Issued June 2009
