Celecoxib

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Oct 14, 2022

Warnings

Celecoxib Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Celecoxib can cause serious side effects in certain people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at increased risk of complications from celecoxib use.

SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR THROMBOTIC EVENTS: Taking Celebrex (celecoxib) can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events like heart attack or stroke. People with pre-existing heart problems, those taking high doses of celecoxib, and those taking this medicine for a long time are at higher risk of blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. People who have had or are scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (heart bypass surgery) should not take celecoxib. Talk to your doctor about the safety of taking celecoxib if you have heart problems. Your doctor will prescribe celecoxib at the lowest dose for the shortest time possible. Call 911 or seek emergency medical help if you experience warning symptoms like chest pain spreading to the arm, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking or talking, or weakness on one side of the body.
STOMACH BLEEDING: Celecoxib can cause potentially dangerous stomach ulcers and bleeding. Certain medical conditions and medications can increase the risk of this occurring, such as a history of stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding in the past. Taking certain medications like aspirin, other NSAIDs, blood thinners, or oral corticosteroids can also lead to an increased risk of stomach bleeding. Other factors that can lead to an increased risk of stomach bleeding include drinking alcohol, smoking, and taking celecoxib for a long time. Contact your healthcare provider without delay if you notice blood in your vomit or stool, stool that looks like coffee grounds, or severe stomach pain.
INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE: Celecoxib can raise blood pressure. People who already have high blood pressure are at increased risk. Your doctor may ask you to check your blood pressure at home. Call your doctor if you notice high blood pressure readings while on celecoxib.
WORSENING HEART FAILURE: In people with heart failure, taking Celebrex (celecoxib) can lead to worsening of the condition and related problems such as fluid retention, heart attack, and hospitalization. For this reason, celecoxib is not the best choice to treat pain in people with heart failure. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of heart failure before starting celecoxib.
SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS: In a small number of people, celecoxib can cause a severe allergic reaction, including potentially fatal problems like throat closing (anaphylaxis) or a severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Call 911 if this occurs. Seek medical treatment immediately if you develop painful blisters all over your body, rash, hives, swelling of the tongue or lips, or difficulty breathing. People who have an allergy to aspirin, other NSAIDs, and sulfa drugs are at increased risk. The risk of a severe allergic reaction is also greater in people who have aspirin-sensitive asthma (asthma that gets worse with aspirin).
KIDNEY DAMAGE: Taking Celebrex (celecoxib) can damage your kidneys. Risk factors include pre-existing kidney problems, liver problems, heart failure, dehydration, and taking certain medications used to treat high blood pressure. Elderly patients and people taking celecoxib for a long time are at increased risk. Call your doctor right away if you notice any changes in urination after starting celecoxib.
LIVER DAMAGE: Rarely, celecoxib can cause potentially life-threatening liver damage. Call your doctor right away and seek medical treatment if you have severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, pale stools, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Your doctor may order blood tests to check liver function before starting you on celecoxib and during treatment with this medicine.
HARM TO AN UNBORN BABY: Taking Celebrex (celecoxib) during the last 3 months of pregnancy can increase the risk of heart problems in an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what medications are safe for pregnant women.

Precautions Before Starting Celecoxib

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to celecoxib; any of the active or inactive ingredients in celecoxib capsules; other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve); sulfa drugs; or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Celecoxib may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, frequent stuffy or runny nose, nasal polyps, swelling of the legs or feet, heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Celecoxib can be harmful to an unborn baby if it is taken after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This medication can pass into breast milk and may be harmful to a breastfeeding infant.

Precautions During Use of Celecoxib

Keep all your doctors’ appointments and lab appointments while taking Celebrex (celecoxib).

Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking celecoxib.

Tell all your doctors you are on celecoxib before any surgery, including dental procedures.

Celecoxib Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how celecoxib works. Possible interactions between celecoxib and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. The following medications can have possible interactions with celecoxib:

Anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Aspirin
Other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
Oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft)
Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril, benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), enalapril (Epaned, Vasotec, in Vaseretic), lisinopril (Qbrelis, in Zestoretic), fosinopril, moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), trandolapril (in Tarka), and ramipril (Altace)
Angiotensin receptor blockers such as irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), eprosartan, olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), valsartan (Diovan, in Entresto, in Exforge HCT), and telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta)
Beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Kapspargo Sprinkle, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), labetalol (Trandate), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran)
ADHD medicines like atomoxetine (Strattera)
Organ transplant medicines like cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
Heart medicines like digoxin (Lanoxin)
Diuretics or water pills
Antifungals like fluconazole (Diflucan)
Psychiatric medicines like lithium (Lithobid)
Cancer medications like methotrexate (Reditrex, Rasuvo, Otrexup, Trexall) and pemetrexed (Pemfexy, Alimta)

The above list may not describe all possible interactions of celecoxib. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, OTC medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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