Celebrex: When should it not be used? 

You should never take Celebrex or similar pain medications right before or right after heart bypass surgery.  You should also not use Celebrex if you are allergic to sulfonamide drugs such as sulfadiazine, sulfisoxazole, Gantanol and Thiosofil.  You should usually not use this medication if you have ever suffered an asthma attack, face and throat swelling, or any other skin eruptions after taking aspirin or other NSAID's. If it is determined that you are allergic to Celebrex you should discontinue it immediately. 

You should always remember to tell your doctor about any stomach ulcers or bleeding you have had in the past prior to starting a prescription of Celebrex.  Also, your doctor needs to be alerted to the development of any digestive problems, swelling or rash.  Problems involving stomach ulcers and bleeding may increase if you are also taking steroidal drugs or blood thinners, smoke, drink alcohol, or use Celebrex or any other NSAID medications for a long period of time.  There is also a greater risk of adverse symptoms if you’re older or in relatively poor health.  You should always make sure your doctor is completely aware of your entire medical history.  

If you have asthma, you should use Celebrex or similar pain medications with caution.  It has been known to trigger an attack, especially if you’re also sensitive to aspirin. 

If you are currently taking steroidal medications for your arthritis, you should not discontinue them immediately to start therapy with Celebrex. Celebrex and similar pain medications are not substitutes for these drugs. 

Celebrex has been reported to cause liver and kidney problems, particularly in individuals with existing conditions.  If you have such a disorder, you should take Celebrex with caution.  If you are to notice symptoms of liver poisoning, you should stop taking this pain medication and see your doctor immediately.  Warning signs of liver poisoning may include nausea, fatigue, itching, yellowish skin or pain in the right side of the stomach as well as occasionally flu-like symptoms. 

If you're prone to anemia (loss of red blood cells), you should make sure your doctor is well aware of it as Celebrex has been known to foster this problem. 

These types of pain medications are also known to cause water retention, which may aggravate swelling, high blood pressure and heart failure. Obviously, you should use this medication with caution if you have any of these conditions. 

There is no evidence that Celebrex reduces the probability of cancer in people who are taking this pain medication for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).  Although Celebrex can reduce the number of growths, you'll still need the other treatments and frequent checkups that this condition will require.

Some information from The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs

Additional information and webpage by Paul Susic M.A. Licensed Psychologist Ph.D Candidate (Health and Geriatric Psychologist)

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