What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that can result from wear and tear on the joints, like the knees, hips, and fingers, or from an injury. Many people may have only mild discomfort. But as cartilage covering the ends of bones in the joints wears away, many people may have considerable pain, inflammation, and loss of movement. OA affects all parts of a joint, causing pain and stiffness, especially after physical activity.

OA occurs more often as people grow older, and is the most common joint disease. About one third of people over age 35 show some signs of OA when they have x-rays.

In people over age 55, OA of the hip is more common in men and OA of the fingers is more common in women. OA of the knees causes problems for both. In the US, about 100,000 people can’t walk from their bed to their bathroom without help because of OA of the knee or hip.

In addition to aging, other risk factors for OA include being overweight, injuries, and diabetes.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

The main symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is inflammation—redness, heat, and pain—at the joints. RA affects the joint membranes, cartilage, and bones, the way OA does. But, unlike OA, RA can also affect the whole body—with loss of appetite, a general feeling of being unwell, and other symptoms. No one knows exactly what causes RA, but it may be caused by the immune system (the body’s defenses) turning against the body.

RA takes very different forms in different people. Some people have only a mild form of RA that does not get more severe. Others go on to develop severe deformities of the joints. Most people with RA fall somewhere in between.

RA is usually first noticed in the small joints of the hands, feet, and wrists. It may then move on to the larger joints – elbows, shoulders, and knees. As RA gets worse, the joints can become deformed and too stiff to move.

Rest is often very helpful when there is a flare-up of RA, but too much rest can do more harm than good—especially in older people.

Some people have more stiffness after resting than after activity. Physical therapy and exercise directed by a healthcare professional can help a person with RA keep the ability to move for as long as possible.

RA affects about 1 in every 100 people. It affects women 3 times more often than men. The people most likely to develop RA are those between the ages of 35 and 50.

What is CELEBREX™ (celecoxib capsules)?

CELEBREX is a new prescription medicine designed to relieve the pain, inflammation, and stiffness of OA and RA.

By reducing pain, inflammation, and stiffness, CELEBREX can help people do everyday functions such as walking and bending.

How does CELEBREX work?

In the body, there are 2 enzymes that are called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 helps regulate normal cell function in the stomach and blood. COX-2 plays a role in causing arthritis pain and inflammation. CELEBREX is the first arthritis product to target only the COX-2 enzyme.

What are the most common side effects of CELEBREX?

CELEBREX is generally well tolerated. In studies, the most common side effects were indigestion, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and were generally mild to moderate. Although people who take CELEBREX are not very likely to get stomach ulcers, serious stomach ulcers can occur without warning symptoms. Therefore, patients and their doctors should remain alert for any signs and symptoms of stomach bleeding.

What else should people know about taking CELEBREX?

People who are allergic to celecoxib or to sulfonamides should not use CELEBREX. People who have ever had asthma, hives or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs should also not use CELEBREX. While low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke can be used with CELEBREX, people who take aspirin and CELEBREX together are at increased risk of developing stomach ulcers compared with those taking CELEBREX alone. CELEBREX is not a substitute for aspirin for prevention of heart attack or stroke.

Can people take CELEBREX™ (celecoxib capsules) if they’re taking other medicines?

If you take CELEBREX with certain other medicines, they may affect or interact with one another. Be sure to tell your doctor or other healthcare professional about all prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking.

Can CELEBREX be taken by older people?

Yes. CELEBREX was studied in people aged 65 and older, and no substantial differences in safety and effectiveness were seen between older and younger people. There may be some dosing differences based on weight.

How should CELEBREX™ (celecoxib capsules) be taken?

Your doctor or healthcare professional will tell you how to take CELEBREX. You should continue to take CELEBREX as prescribed even when you are feeling better. CELEBREX can be taken with or without food. CELEBREX capsules come in two strengths: 100 mg and 200 mg.

• The recommended dose for OA is 200 mg a day, which may be taken as a single 200-mg dose or as a 100-mg dose twice a day.
• The recommended dose for RA is 100 mg to 200 mg, twice a day.

There are certain things you should know about all medicines:

• Never be afraid to ask questions. Ask your doctor or other healthcare professional any questions you may have.
• Know the names of all your medicines and why you are taking them. This includes medicines that doctors prescribe and medicines you can buy without a prescription, like aspirin, vitamins, and home and herbal remedies.
• Tell your doctor or other healthcare professional about all the medicines you take and any allergies or other medical problems you have.
• It is a good idea to have prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy each time. This way, the pharmacist can keep an up-to-date record of all prescribed medicines.
• Keep CELEBREX and all other medicines out of the reach of children.
• Never share your medicines with other people.