Celebrex

(celecoxib)

●●●●●
3.4/ 5 average rating with 550 reviewsforCelebrex
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Relieves pain and inflammation.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Celebrex (celecoxib) works well for treating pain, but is not a good option if you have heart problems.

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Quick facts about Celebrex
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (celecoxib)

Upsides

  • Celebrex (celecoxib) effectively relieves pain and inflammation for many types of pain conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramps.
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) causes less stomach problems compared to other NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen.
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) is available as a cheaper, generic form.
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) has the lowest risk of heart attack compared to other NSAIDs.
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What to expect from Celebrex, on one page

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People’s experience with Celebrex

550reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • The longer you take Celebrex (celecoxib), the more likely you are to have stomach problems, including inflammation, ulcers, and bleeding.
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) can affect your kidneys or cause permanent kidney damage if taken for a long time.
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) shouldn't be used if you have an allergy to sulfa medications.
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What to expect from Celebrex, on one page

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How it works

Celebrex (celecoxib) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces inflammation in your body, which relieves swelling and pain.

Quick facts about Celebrex
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (celecoxib)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
People’s experience with Celebrex

550reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Celebrex (celecoxib) for Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
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Side effect rates for Celebrex (celecoxib)

From 6010 clinical trials of Celebrex when taken for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (100 - 200 mg twice daily or 200 mg once daily)
  • Headache
    16%16%
    20%20%
  • Indigestion
    9%9%
    6%6%
  • Upper respiratory infection
    8%8%
    7%7%
  • Diarrhea
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Sinus infection
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Stomach pain
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Nausea
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Back pain
    3%3%
    4%4%
  • Injury
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Gas
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Swelling in the limbs
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Dizziness
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Difficulty sleeping
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Sore throat
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Stuffy nose
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Rash
    2%2%
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Celebrex.

Celebrex (celecoxib)
Placebo

People taking Celebrex felt side effect more

People taking Celebrex felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Celebrex (celecoxib)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Long-term use
    • › History of heart disease
    • › History of heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft/CABG)

    Taking Celebrex (celecoxib) for extended amounts of time can raise your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you've had a history of heart disease or are planning a heart bypass surgery. Take Celebrex (celecoxib) for the shortest amount of time possible needed to control your symptoms to lower this risk. Talk to your doctor about alternatives to Celebrex (celecoxib) if you're going to have heart bypass surgery.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Celebrex (celecoxib)

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Interactions
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) interacts with many over-the-counter pain medicines and some cold remedies. Check with your pharmacist first to make sure you have chosen a product that won't interact with Celebrex (celecoxib).
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed celecoxibon 6/20/2019Cjeck interactions before taking.
    58
    Woman
    A few months
    Rheumatoid arthritis
Food
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) can be taken with or without food.
  • Worth it
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed CelebrexTake it with food always, after breakfast, and bedtime snack!
    74
    Woman
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Celebrexon 12/11/2016Take it with food
    39
    Woman
    Pain
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Celebrexon 1/20/2017Take with food to ensure you do not get an upset stomach.
    27
    Woman
    Pain
Kidneys and liver
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) and similar medications in the NSAID family can cause lower kidney function or permanent kidney damage. You're at higher risk for this if you have a history of kidney disease, heart failure, and liver disease. Taking diuretic medications (water pills), ACE inhibitors, or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) medications also increase your risk. Moreover, if you are 65 years or older you're also at a higher risk for these types of kidney problems.
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) can hurt your kidneys, so talk to your doctor if you have a history of kidney problems.
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) can affect your kidneys or cause permanent kidney damage if taken for a long time.
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed celecoxibon 1/8/2020It’s the best for pain relief, shoulder , knee etc, but your kidney Dr will not like it
    78
    Man
    Just as needed
Pain
  • Celebrex (celecoxib) effectively relieves pain and inflammation for many types of pain conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramps.
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Celebrexon 11/28/2016Great pain management. I can use my hands without pain!
    59
    Woman
    Pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed CelebrexI have found it to relieve pain better than any thing I have tried before. Time will tell if it continues. I plan on taking it daily as without a pain reliever I can not function with the osteoarthritus.
    78
    Woman
    Two years or more
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Celebrexon 9/15/2016It worked for my knee pain, which is part torn meniscus and part arthritis, but affected my kidneys so I had to stop taking.
    61
    Woman
    Pain
Weight
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Celebrexon 6/23/2016Caused bloating and gassy
    32
    Woman
    Pain