celecoxib
Consumer Medicine Information
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common questions about . It does not contain all the information that is known about . It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What CELEBREX is used for
CELEBREX is used to relieve the symptoms of joint pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness in:
osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis and
ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder that primarily affects, but is not limited to, the spine.
CELEBREX also provides short-term pain relief in conditions such as:
menstrual cramps or period pain
after surgery
muscle and joint injuries.
CELEBREX belongs to a group of medicines called Coxibs which are used to relieve pain and inflammation in a number of conditions.
Although CELEBREX can relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your condition.
Your doctor, however, may have prescribed CELEBREX for another purpose.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why CELEBREX has been prescribed for you.
CELEBREX is not recommended for use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take CELEBREX
When you must not take it
Do not take CELEBREX if:
your doctor has told you that you have severe heart or blood vessel disease affecting the circulation in your brain or limbs
you have severe liver problems
Your doctor will decide if your condition is too severe to take this medicine.
you have problems with your kidney function
you have had an attack of asthma, hives, itching, skin rash or a runny nose after taking aspirin or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs, medicines used to treat pain and inflammation), including other Coxib medicines
Many medicines used to treat headache, period pain and other aches and pains contain aspirin or an NSAID.
If you are allergic to aspirin, NSAIDs, or other Coxib medicines and use CELEBREX, these symptoms may be severe.
you have an allergy to:
CELEBREX
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
sulfonamides, a group of medicines which include, for example, certain antibiotics (if you are not sure if you are taking one of these medicines ask your Pharmacist).
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to these medicines may include:
asthma, wheezing or shortness of breath
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
hives, itching or skin rash
fainting.
If you are allergic to sulfonamides or any of the capsule ingredients and take CELEBREX, these symptoms may be severe.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of this applies to you.
you are already taking an NSAID
you have an ulcer or gastric bleeding
you have Irritable Bowel Disease
you have heart failure
the expiry date printed on the packaging has passed, even though the capsules may look alright
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure if you should be taking CELEBREX, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor if:
you currently have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart failure or have a history of heart problems or stroke, or problems with the circulation in your limbs
you have any allergies to:
any other medicines
any other substances such as foods, dyes or preservatives.
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
There is no information on the use of CELEBREX during pregnancy.
CELEBREX may affect your developing baby if taken in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
CELEBREX use is not recommended in pregnancy unless your doctor considers it essential.
Discuss this with your doctor.
you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
CELEBREX passes into breast milk in small amounts, therefore, the use of CELEBREX during breastfeeding should be discussed with your doctor.
you have any other health problems including:
liver or kidney problems
asthma, hives, itching, skin rash or a runny nose
high blood pressure or fluid retention
peptic ulcer (ie stomach or duodenal ulcer), a recent history of one, or have had peptic ulcers before
vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
bleeding from the rectum (back passage), have black sticky bowel motions (stools) or bloody diarrhoea.
you are taking CELEBREX together with any medicines used to treat high blood pressure and some other heart problems such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists and diuretics (also called fluid or water tablets).
When taken together these medicines can cause kidney problems.
you drink large amounts of alcohol
you are a smoker
you currently have an infection.
If you are given CELEBREX while you have an infection, it may hide some of the signs of an infection.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about these things, tell them before you start taking CELEBREX.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or your pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and CELEBREX may interfere with each other. These include
any medicines used to treat high blood pressure and some other heart problems such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists or diuretics (also called fluid or water tablets)
fluconazole, an antifungal agent
lithium, a medicine used to treat some types of depression
warfarin, a medicine used to stop blood clots
antacids, medicines used to treat indigestion
certain medicines used to treat pain and inflammation called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or (cortico) steroids.
Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of these medicines, or provide additional advice if you are also taking CELEBREX.
How to take CELEBREX
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Osteoarthritis
200mg once daily or 100mg twice daily.
Rheumatoid arthritis
100mg twice daily or 200mg twice daily.
Ankylosing spondylitis
100mg twice daily or 200mg once daily.
Menstrual cramps or period pain
400mg as a single dose on the first day and 200mg twice daily on following days.. You may take CELEBREX for up to 5 days.
Muscle and joint injuries or after surgery
400mg as a first dose followed by 200mg once or twice daily as required. You may take CELEBREX for up to 5 days.
How to take it
Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of fluid. CELEBREX can be taken with or without food.
How long to take it
Depending on your condition, you may need CELEBREX for a few days or for longer periods.
CELEBREX will not cure your condition but should help control pain, swelling and stiffness.
Keep taking CELEBREX for as long as your doctor advises.
Do not exceed the dosage recommended by your doctor.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your capsules as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much CELEBREX. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much CELEBREX, you may feel tired, drowsy, sick, vomit, and have stomach pain. You may also have difficulty breathing and feel faint.
While you are taking it
Things you must do
If you become pregnant while taking CELEBREX, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to start any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking CELEBREX.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking CELEBREX.
If you develop any skin rash (e.g. hives, spots) while being treated with CELEBREX, contact your doctor immediately.
The onset of these events, if they occur, can occur at any time, but most often occur in the first month of treatment.
Things you must not do
Do not give CELEBREX to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms or condition as you.
Do not use CELEBREX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Side effects
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking CELEBREX, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, CELEBREX can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, wind
swollen hands, ankles and feet, unexplained weight gain
dizziness
sore throat, runny nose, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
skin rash, including hives, raised red, itchy spots
blistering and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
swelling, blistering or peeling of the skin, which may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, sore throat, diarrhoea, aching joints and muscles
other signs of allergic reaction such as wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
collapse or fainting, shortness of breath or tiredness, irregular heart beat, chest pain, swollen or sore leg veins
severe stomach or throat pain, vomiting blood or black sticky bowel motions
bleeding or bruising more than usual, reddish or purple blotches under the skin
nausea, lethargy, itchiness, flu-like symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
signs of anaemia such as tiredness, being short of breath and looking pale
loss or deterioration of hearing
confusion
redness, irritation or watering of the eye(s)
experience sensations with any of the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste or feel) which may not be real
severe or persistent headache, fever, stiff neck, sensitivity to light and vomiting.
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Not all of these side effects have been reported with CELEBREX but have been seen with similar medicines.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not get any of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.
After taking CELEBREX
Storage
Keep your capsules where young children cannot reach them.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep CELEBREX in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays at or below 25°C. Do not store it, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your capsules in their blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the capsules out of their container they may not keep well.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking CELEBREX, or the capsules have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.
Product description
What it looks like
CELEBREX 100mg - opaque, white capsules with two blue bands marked 7767 and 100.
The 100mg capsules come in blister packs of 60.
CELEBREX 200mg - opaque, white capsules with two gold bands marked 7767 and 200.
The 200mg capsules come in blister packs of 10 and 30.
Ingredients
Active ingredient
The active ingredient in CELEBREX is celecoxib.
CELEBREX 100mg - 100mg celecoxib/capsule
CELEBREX 200mg - 200mg celecoxib/capsule
Other ingredients
lactose
sodium lauryl sulfate
povidone
croscarmellose sodium
magnesium stearate
gelatin
titanium dioxide
iron oxide yellow CI 77492/200 mg capsule
indigo carmine CI 73015/100 mg capsule.
CELEBREX does not contain sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or other azo dyes.
Supplier
CELEBREX is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
ABN 50 008 422 348
38-42 Wharf Road
West Ryde NSW 2114
Australia
Toll Free Number 1800 675 229
Australian Registration Number:
CELEBREX 100mg - AUST R 67901
CELEBREX 200mg - AUST R 67902
This document was last revised in June 2010.
® Registered trademark
© Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
