Seriously, Would You Take This Arthritis Medicine?

Taking an NSAID such as Celebrex can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to celecoxib, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin, sulfa drugs, or other NSAIDs.

Before taking Celebrex tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;

• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;

• liver or kidney disease,

• a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;

• asthma;

• polyps in your nose; or

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Celebrex.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking Celebrex during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Do not take Celebrex during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. Celecoxib passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Celebrex without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.