About Celebrex

If you’ve used Celebrex, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history. You can use the form below to add your comments, feedback or Celebrex review.

Subj: Fatigue, lightheaded and severe leg cramps
Date: 12/6/2007
I was prescribed celebrex recently for arthritis in my spine. After only a week of 200 mg dosage, I began having problems of feeling fatigue, lightheaded and severe leg cramps. Am I having negative reactions that could be harmful? My doctor ordered me to discontinue use.

Mable

AskDocWeb: These symptoms sound like a negative reaction but they are not likely to cause any long-term harm.

Subj: Started gaining weight
Date: 12/7/2007
I gradually started gaining weight after starting Celebrex. The weight kept creeping up on me and I could figure out why as I had not changed any other habits such as eating and exercise. I did not make the connection until I had gained ten pounds. The med helped my inflammation but the weight has put more stress on my joints. And, my face and extremities are swollen. User beware…

Melissa

Subj: Shocked by sudden weight gain
Date: 12/8/2007
I used celebrex for only 3 weeks and was shocked by the sudden and unexplained weight gain I experienced. I exercised 5 days a week and watched everything I ate (still do), but it didn’t stop the weight gain! I became VERY frustrated and could not figure out what was wrong with me. I never once considered that celebrex would be the culprit…my doctor did not mention that as being a side effect…actually, he did not discuss any of the side effects with me. I also experienced swelling in my hands and had difficulty getting my wedding ring on and off. I stopped taking it after three weeks because of a possibility of being pregnant (I didn’t want to do any harm to the potential baby). My decision: the potential benefits DO NOT outweigh the side effects of this drug. (Weight gain is only going to increase my problems since I have multiple injuries/issues with my feet.)

Jamie

Subj: How long to start working?
Date: 12/9/2007
I am taking celebrex for arthritis and I wonder how long do you have to take this medicine before it starts to work on the pain from arthritis. Thank you,

Charlene

AskDocWeb:Celebrex starts working within an hour of the first dose but keep in mind that your dosage may need to be adjusted.

Subj: DMARD’s
Date: 12/9/2007
I have taken NSAID’s for over 25 years (diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis) and Celebrex for the last several years. I went off for 2 weeks due to stomach problems but the pain was so bad I went back but now it doesn’t work. Pain comes back at night with a vengeance. I tried increasing my dosage to 400 mg/day but nothing, just pain in all my major joints (shoulders and hips plus a knee that is scheduled to be replaced) My doctor put me on Prednisone for a few days which worked then tried Voltaren, nothing, it was less affective than Celebrex. I am now truly worried and not sure A) why the Celebrex would stop working out of the blue and B) where do I go next. Methotrexate and other DMARD’s seem scary. Can they be taken long term and are they more likely to work? What about the new Biologics like Enbrel. Are they safer than DMARD’s? Thanks.

Chris

AskDocWeb: Sometimes the body builds up a tolerance to a drug and it just stops working. There is not much you can do about that other than switch to an alternative.

Enbrel is relatively new to the scene so long term effects are not yet known. Since getting approval in 1998, Enbrel has quickly become the drug of choice for those that have previously failed the available DMARDs. It is injected twice weekly and requires in office training before you can give it yourself. Although it seems to work well for about 65% of the people who’ve tried it, it is expensive, around $1000 per month.

Enbrel is a biologic response modifier. It works by decreasing the amount of a certain protein related to inflammation, the Tumor Necrosis Factor. Everyone needs this protein but it is thought that those with inflammatory arthritis have too much. Enbrel captures the excess before it can cause inflammation.

The most common side effect of Enbrel is a reaction at the site of injection. The area may become red, swollen and itchy. The most serious reported side effect is the risk of serious infection. Enbrel should not be used if you have an infection. If you develop an infection while on Enbrel call your doctor right away. Another rare, but notable adverse reaction is the formation of certain anti-bodies, including the antinuclear antibody. Minor side effects include headache, runny nose and nausea.

Enbrel has not been studied in pregnancy or nursing mothers and should not be used unless absolutely necessary.

List of DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)

• Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
• Sulfasalazine (Azulfadine)
• Leflunomide (Arava)
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)
• Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
• Ciclosporin (cyclosporin)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Minocycline (Minocin)
• Kineret (Anakinra)

Subj: Weight shot up nearly 20 pounds
Date: 12/12/2007
I started taking Celebrex about three months ago, 200 mg per day, for RA/osteoarthritis pain. I am also on Clonidine. Immediately my weight shot up by nearly 20 pounds–on a frame under 5 feet tall. I lost all energy. My ankles swelled hugely, I had severe flatulence. The most alarming symptom was the feeling that my heart was laboring, almost as if it were waterlogged. My blood pressure dropped severely. I stopped taking Celebrex about five or six days ago. The swelling in my ankles has receded, although they are still swollen. My energy level is returning, and I don’t have that terrible, waterlogged feeling.

Pattaylorfineart

Subj: Slurred speech
Date: 12/12/2007
My husband is taking celebrex with blood pressure and lipitor also along with Allegra His speech sounds slurred as the day goes on. Could this be the combo with celebrex being the newest addition?

Joyce

AskDocWeb: Please report this to his physician. It may be something unrelated to his current medication.

Subj: Mild side effects
Date: 12/12/2007
I’ve been taking one Celebrex (200mg) as needed, about 3x/week( on days I work) since osteotomy surgery for metatarsalgia in both feet–14 months ago. I’ve had only mild side effects–occasionally stomach pain, only 2 lbs. weight gain, but just noticed at night a ringing in one ear. Didn’t think it was celebrex, since I don’t take every day. Recently went down to 100mg 2 days/week for foot pain, but now may try to stop taking it altogether.

Sue

Subj: Bowel blockage
Date: 12/15/2007
I started taking Celebrex 200 mg. twice daily about 8 or 10 weeks ago. This week I was admitted to hospital with a bowel blockage, which did not require surgery. Could taking Celebrex have caused this as I have not had this problem before?

Doug

AskDocWeb: Less than 2% of Celebrex users report constipation but it is possible.

Subj: Sexual side effect
Date: 12/15/2007
After using celebrex for about two weeks, my sexual urges have almost stopped. Before that I would do it daily, if it were up to me! But now I’m fine with once a week. The pain it takes away is well worth the side affect.

Ramon

P.S. not sure if this is temporary or not.

Subj: Numbness in right hand
Date: 12/17/2007
I have been on Celebrex only 1 month. It has really helped my sciatica. However, I am concerned with what I am reading about it. Also a few days a go I experience strange tingling in my right hand and then it went numb as if it went to sleep. It traveled to my mouth area around my lips, it only lasted a few minutes but I have stopped taking it. Is this a side effect?

Vanessa

AskDocWeb: It’s not listed as a side affect but it should be reported to your doctor.

Subj: Suggestion for pain meds
Date: 12/26/2007
I started taking celebrex 3 weeks ago for rheumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease. It worked well for the pain, but I have gained 9 lbs. in 3 weeks. At this rate I can not afford to continue this medication. It is critical that I not gain weight, as it will put more stress on my already achy joints and back. Any suggestions for pain meds that don’t have this side affect. I just wish my MD had advised me of this.

Frustrated

AskDocWeb: Tylenol Arthritis works very well for many people.

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