Drug Uses
Celebrex is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain.

How To Use
Take Celebrex exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take Celebrex with food or milk to lessen stomach upset. You may open the Celebrex capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow the medicine and applesauce mixture with water and avoid chewing. If you do not take the mixture right away, keep it in the refrigerator and take it within 6 hours. If you take Celebrex for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects.
Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Possible Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Celebrex and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance, black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, swelling or rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash or bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Precautions
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Celebrex can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use Celebrex. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery.

Missed Dose
Since Celebrex is sometimes taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.

Storage
Store Celebrex at room temperature away from moisture and heat.