Back Pain and Celecoxib

Celecoxib, a Cox-2 selective inhibitor, act mostly on the enzymes that are responsible for inflammation. When cells in your body are injured or damaged, a chemical called prostaglandin is released. Your nerve endings respond to the release by transmitting the pain and injury messages to the brain. This class of pain treatments relieve pain and inflammation by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX or prostaglandin synthase - PGHS), as a result, the production of prostaglandin gets impaired and relieves back pain symptoms.

There are 2 forms of cyclooxygenase, they are known as COX-1 and COX 2: COX-1 regulates normal cellular processes including gastric cytoprotection, or the mechanism that protects your stomach against injury. COX-2 is the enzyme involved in the inflammation pathway

Older NSAIDS affect both cyclooxygenases, as a result, your stomach's natural protective mechanism can get compromised, hence causing side effects such as gastric ulceration. The newer class of NSAID's, referred to as COX 2 selective inhibitors, as its name implies, act mostly on the enzymes that are responsible for inflammation while sparing COX 1. The selectivity for COX 2 reduces the risk for gastric problems while providing relief from back pain symptoms.

Read more details about Celecoxib.

Celebrex is a prescription NSAID, it is available in100 mg and 200 mg capsules. The usual dose for osteoarthritis is 200 mg, taken once daily or 100 mg capsule twice a day.

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What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have asthma, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have had an ulcer or bleeding from your stomach or intestines, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using other: aspirin, aspirin-containing products, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, ibuprofen or like products, pain medicines, or vitamin E.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• Do not take antacids with this medicine.

• You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Headache.

• Belly pain or heartburn.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe headache.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Severe swelling or pain of hands or feet.

• Chest pain or pressure.

• Change in strength on one side greater than the other, difficulty speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred vision.

• Significant weight gain.

• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.

• Blood in the urine.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Yellow skin or eyes.

• Not able to eat.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.