Summary: Celebrex is one of the brand names of Celecoxib, a drug manufactured and marketed by Pfizer. It is available as capsules and the risks associated include heart disease and gastrointestinal adverse effects. Research is also being conducted into cancer prevention using Celebrex.
Celebrex, also known as Celecoxib or Celebra, is a selective COX-2 inhibitor and a sulfa non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is available in the form of capsules manufactured by Pfizer and is available only by prescription. The uses of the drug include to lessen the number of rectal and polyps in patients suffering from familial adenomatous polyposis, treatment of acute pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, treatment of pains during menstruation and ankylosing spondylitis. Prior to celebrex, conventional NSAIDs would cause adverse gastrointestinal effects and Celebrez was developed as an alternative that can cure acute pain without the adverse effects. But it is only used in cases where patients have to use for a long term period to cure acute pain, otherwise conventional NSAIDS are used because the gastrointestinal effects won’t be so pronounced with a couple of times of consumption.
There were claims that the efficacy of the drug has been fabricated but Pfizer has shot down the claims; and the drug has long since been FDA approved. The drug is available in dosages of 400 mg, 200 mg, 100 mg and 50 mg. It being a new drug, is covered by patents in the United States and cannot be sold as a generic drug for the remainder of the 20 year period that drug holds the patent. But generic versions are available legally in eastern countries including India, Philippines, and Vietnam. Recommended dosage of Celebrex is no more that 200 mg per day. The lowest possible dosage should be used in order to minimize the adverse effects.
Speaking of adverse effects, keep in mind that the gastrointestinal adverse effects are not completely eliminated, they are just reduced. So patients with a prior history of gastrointestinal bleeding should be especially careful as gastrointestinal toxicity can occur. There is a chance of allergy for those who are allergic to sulfonamide drugs as celebrex has a sulfonamide moiety. And regarding pregnancy, it is a pregnancy category C drug. And there is an increase chance of heart attack and stroke in people using NSAID drugs. FDA requires Celebrex to carry a black box warning about the risk of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects.
Some of the investigative uses of celebrex include cancer prevention as it has been suggested that chance of certain cancers might be reduced significantly. Bu then again, the risk of heart disease and stroke means it is not recommended for preventive use.





