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Celebrex (Celecoxib)
Submitted by joel on 25 April, 2009 - 22:56
Manufacturer: 
Pfizer, Inc. (co-developed by Pfizer and G. D. Searle)
Intended Uses and Benefits: 

Celebrex is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often prescribed to treat the effects of arthritis or acute pain.[1]  Doctors sometimes prescribe Celebrex to Avascular Necrosis / Osteonecrosis patients in an effort to treat joint inflammation and pain associated with AVN.

A number of clinical studies evaluating osteoarthritis patients with hip or knee pain have concluded that treatment with Celebrex offers patients relative improvement with regard to pain, stiffness, and functional measures. Studies of patients with rheumatioid arthritis have shown significant reduction in joint tenderness, joint pain, and joint swelling. Other studies of oral surgery patients with moderate to severe pain following their surgery found that Celebrex relieved pain within 60 minutes.[2]  These three sets of clinical studies would seem to offer positive support to the assertion that Celebrex might be useful in the treatment of avascular necrosis symptoms as well.
Possible Side-effects: 

Celebrex can increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Also, NSAIDs, including Celebrex, can increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach and intestinal ulcers or bleeding.  These issues can be be fatal and can occur without any warning symptoms. In fact, in 2005, the FDA issued an alert about Celebrex:

Celebrex has been associated with an increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in a long-term placebo controlled trial. Based on the currently available data, FDA has concluded that an increased risk of serious adverse CV events appears to be a class effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (excluding aspirin). [3]
In addition to the above, Celebrex can cause liver and kidney damage. This medication can also cause an unsafe amount of fluid retention which can be a serious problem for patients with high blood pressure or a history of heart conditions.
Interactions and Allergies: 

Patients should not take Celebrex if there is a history of sulfa drug allergy or allergic reaction to other NSAIDs. Also, patients should discuss this medication in-depth with their doctor if there is any history of:

  • heart disease or cardiovascular conditions
  • liver or kidney disease
  • seizure disorder or epilepsy
  • asthma
  • bleeding or blood clotting disorder
Additional Notes: 

Celebrex is a medication that definitely warrants a careful consideration of its benefits versus its risks. Still, as a non-narcotic pain reliever and NSAID, Celebrex is considered milder than other aggressive NSAID medications, such as Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine), and thus it carries fewer risks compared to more aggressive NSAIDs.

 
References
[1] “Celebrex Patient Information Sheet”, FDA, 2005-4-7. Retrieved on 2009-04-25.
[2] “Label Approved on 12/31/2008”, FDA, 2008-12-31.
[3] Ibid.
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