Rancelex
Drug name: Rancelex
Other names used:
- Celebra®
- Celebrex®
- Celecoxib®
Therapeutic actions: Rancelex is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Rancelex works by reducing substances that cause inflammation, pain, and fever in the body.
Indications: Rancelex is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Rancelex is also used to reduce the number of adenomatous colorectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), to treat acute pain, and to treat pain associated with menstruation.
Contraindications and cautions: Before taking Rancelex, tell your doctor if you:
- smoke
- drink alcohol
- have an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach
- have liver disease
- have kidney disease
- have coronary artery disease (CAD)
- have arteriosclerotic disease (hardening of the arteries, clogged or blocked arteries)
- have asthma
- have congestive heart failure
- have fluid retention
- have heart disease
- have high blood pressure
- have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder or are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- are taking a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone and others), methylprednisolone (Medrol and others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, and others), and others
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking Celebrex unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Adverse effects: The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
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.
Keep taking Rancelex and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
- upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;
- bloating, gas;
- dizziness, nervousness, headache;
- skin rash, itching;
- blurred vision; or
- ringing in your ears.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Interactions: Tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine.
Before taking Rancelex, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others;
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or
- an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Rancelex or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
