Celebrex is an oral medication used to treat muscular pain and swelling. It is particularly helpful in patients suffering from arthritic conditions, acute pain, menstrual pain and discomfort. Celebrex has been linked to severe intestinal pain and distress in some patients while other patients have been known to suffer blood clotting, heart attack and stroke as a result of use of Celebrex. In addition, Celebrex is not approved for use by patients who recently experienced heart bypass surgery.
Celebrex is used to treat pain and swelling by blocking the enzyme prostaglandin, which is responsible for such symptoms. The drug is taken orally and is recommended with food. Celebrex has proven effective at the outset of pain and may not work as well if pain is allowed to progress. In addition to the above-mentioned painful conditions, Celebrex is prescribed to patients with joint inflammatory disease, acute pain after an operation and loss of joint function. The drug is approved for use by children in certain circumstances.
Side effects of Celebrex can range from very mild to extremely severe and deadly. One of the most notable side effects of Celebrex is intestinal bleeding and discomfort. Symptoms of these side effects include swelling, headache, weight gain, painful swallowing or difficult urination. In rare instances, intestinal bleeding from Celebrex can cause deadly blood clots leading to stroke.
Class action lawsuits have commenced against Pfizer, the makers of Celebrex, on behalf of plaintiffs who have suffered these devastating side effects absent any unambiguous warnings by the manufacturer. Studies have revealed that those taking Celebrex are at a 2.5-times greater risk of developing heart problems than those who took placebos.