Celebrex is an effective painkiller used worldwide by millions of people to manage different types of acute and chronic pain. This medication belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Celebrex active component is called celecoxib; the latter works in the body by inhibiting COX-2 enzyme, which is responsible for causing pain and inflammation.
It goes without saying that having a mighty weapon is nothing unless its owner knows perfectly how to use it right. Consequently, a patient must be aware of the doses he should take to relieve pain without exposing his body to the risk of serious adverse reactions Celebrex (as any other medication) can cause.
The American Food and Drug Administration approved certain doses for the reducing of pain, swelling, and inflammation caused by some health disorders. As a result, a patient suffering from osteoarthritis should take 100 mg of Celebrex orally twice daily or 200 mg once a day.
The dosage for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers varies from 100 to 200 mg twice per day. Celebrex is also prescribed for the patients 2 years and older suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The usual doses are: kids weighing 10-25 kg should take 50 mg capsule twice daily; those weighing more than 25 kg can use 100 mg capsule twice a day.
The pain caused by arthritis of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis) can be managed by taking 200 mg of Celebrex as a single dose daily, or 100 mg twice a day. If the treatment proves to be ineffective during 6 weeks, 400 mg doses should be considered. If such regimen has no positive effect, another treatment option may be evaluated by a doctor.
Usually Celebrex can be taken irrespective of meals. If a patient has difficulties with swallowing capsules, he/she can take the content of the capsule with applesauce washing down with water.
Taking into account the possibility of experiencing side effects caused by Celebrex, a doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose of this medication. Furthermore, scientific data warns that high doses of this painkiller increase the risk of such cardiovascular events as hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.
It should be noted that every patient seeking for the relieving of different types of arthritis pain must give accurate information about the state of his overall health, mentioning any other conditions he suffers from.
Celebrex must be used with special caution in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. It may cause or aggravate stomach bleeding or ulceration. Kidney and liver disorders must also be thoroughly studied and observed during the Celebrex treatment period. In asthmatic patients rare cases of anaphylactoid reactions were reported after taking Celebrex; therefore, such patients also deserve special attention. Finally, skin reactions (exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis) may occur, especially in people sensitive to sulfa drugs.
The risks and benefits of Celebrex usage by pregnant women must be evaluated carefully. The drug is not recommended in the third trimester. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid using Celebrex, since it is excreted with milk and its influence on the infants is not sufficiently studied yet. Similarly, the use of the drug by children under 2 is not approved by the FDA.
Scientists report that Celebrex can be used by elderly over 65 without the increased incidence of serious adverse reactions (as cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal effects). However, the occurrence of such not dangerous side effects as headache, nausea, upset stomach, and dizziness is slightly higher than in younger population.
The final note should be said about the strict following the doctor’s recommendations concerning the dose of Celebrex. Remember, that any weapon, called to help, can turn into a deadly one if it is misused.
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