Celecoxib (Celebrex)

Celecoxib is one of a group of drugs called COX-2 inhibitors. It also has the brand name Celebrex. COX-2 inhibitors are a type of anti inflammatory drug. They block a protein called COX-2 that causes inflammation and pain. COX-2 inhibitors are used to control pain caused by some medical conditions such as arthritis.

There is some evidence that the enzyme COX-2 may also help cancers to grow. COX-2 blockers are sometimes used to try to prevent bowel cancer in people at high risk of developing it.

Clinical trials are looking at whether celecoxib can treat or prevent other types of cancer, including

• Prostate cancer
• Breast cancer
• Bladder cancer

Celecoxib is a capsule. You swallow it whole with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.

As a painkiller you may take it once or twice a day. As a prevention or treatment for cancer you take it once a day. Try to take it at the same time each day.

It is very important that you take tablets or capsules according to the instructions your doctor or pharmacist gives you. For example, whether you have a full or empty stomach can affect how much of a drug gets into your bloodstream. You should take the right dose, not more or less. And never stop taking a cancer drug without talking to your specialist first.

Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements, and over the counter remedies – some drugs can react together.

There is information about taking medicines in this section.

We've listed the side effects associated with celecoxib below. You can use the links to find out more about each side effect. Where there is no link, please go to our cancer drug side effects section or use the search box at the top of the page.

More than 10 in every 100 people have a higher blood pressure than normal while taking celecoxib.

Between 1 and 10 in every 100 people have one or more of these.

• Difficulty sleeping
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath, a cough, a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling and being sick
• Indigestion and wind
• Difficulty swallowing
• Skin changes, including a rash and itching
• Flu like symptoms
• Swelling of the legs due to fluid build up (known as peripheral oedema)
• Infections – including urine and chest infections
• If you have an allergy to something it may become worse
• Heart problems – people who take celecoxib for 3 years or more have a higher than normal risk of angina, heart failure or a heart attack. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any chest pain

Fewer than 1 in 100 people have these

• Changes in your blood chemistry – the levels of potassium may be higher than normal. You may not have any symptoms from this but you will have regular blood tests to check the levels
• Tiredness and breathlessness due to a drop in red blood cells (anaemia) – you may need a blood transfusion
• Feeling very sad or depressed
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and loss of hearing
• Blurred vision
• A sore mouth
• Irritation of the stomach, which can include bleeding – if you notice your bowel motions are black or you vomit blood contact your doctor straight away

The side effects above may be mild or more severe. A side effect may get better or worse through your course of treatment, or more side effects may develop as the course goes on.

This depends on

• How many times you've had the drug before
• Your general health
• The amount of the drug you have (the dose)
• Other drugs you are having

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about all your side effects so that they can help you manage them. Your nurse will give you a contact number. You can ring it if you have any questions or problems. They can give you advice or reassure you. If in doubt, call them.

This drug may have a harmful effect on a baby developing in the womb. It is not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while taking celecoxib. It is important to talk to your doctor or nurse about contraception before having the treatment.

You should not breastfeed when taking celecoxib.