CELEBREX FAQs – CELEBREX ® (celecoxib)

Do all prescription NSAIDs have the same cardiovascular warning?
All prescription NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, and CELEBREX, share the same cardiovascular warning: they may increase the chance of heart attack or stroke, which can lead to death.

Do all NSAIDs have the same warnings for serious stomach and intestine side effects?
All prescription NSAIDs have the same warning for serious stomach and intestine problems, such as ulcers and bleeding, which can occur without warning and may cause death.

Are there any differences in other stomach side effects between the NSAIDs?
In clinical studies, a lower percentage of patients on CELEBREX reported indigestion, abdominal pain, and nausea versus prescription ibuprofen and naproxen.

How long has CELEBREX been on the market?
CELEBREX was approved in December 1998, and has been on the market for over 10 years.

How do I know if CELEBREX is right for me?
Whether CELEBREX, or any NSAID, is right for you can depend on your medical history and the severity and type of your pain. Only you and your doctor can decide the best option for you.

Can CELEBREX be taken with low-dose aspirin?
If you are taking low-dose aspirin for your heart and need an NSAID pain reliever, CELEBREX can be used because it doesn’t interfere with aspirin’s antiplatelet effect. However, taking low-dose aspirin may not reduce the cardiovascular risk associated with NSAID use. With any NSAID, including CELEBREX, patients also taking aspirin are at an increased risk for stomach bleeding and ulcers. CELEBREX is not a substitute for aspirin in preventing heart attack or stroke.

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Indications:

CELEBREX is indicated for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, and for the management of acute pain in adults.

Important Safety Information:

Like all prescription NSAIDs, CELEBREX may increase the chance of heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This chance increases if you have heart disease or risk factors for it, such as high blood pressure or when NSAIDs are taken for long periods.

CELEBREX should not be used right before or after certain heart surgeries.

Serious skin reactions, or stomach and intestine problems such as bleeding and ulcers, can occur without warning and may cause death. Patients taking aspirin and the elderly are at increased risk for stomach bleeding and ulcers.

Tell your doctor if you have:
* A history of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines
* High blood pressure or heart failure
* Kidney or liver problems

CELEBREX should not be taken in late pregnancy.

Do not take CELEBREX if you've had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reactions to aspirin, any other NSAID medicine, or certain drugs called sulfonamides.

Life threatening allergic reactions can occur with CELEBREX. Get help right away if you've had swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing.

Prescription CELEBREX should be used exactly as prescribed at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time needed.

For more information about CELEBREX and other NSAIDs, please see the Medication Guide.
For further information on CELEBREX, please see the full Prescribing Information.

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This Web site is intended for residents of the United States only. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. Decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

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Last Updated: August 23, 2010

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