Trade name/Manufacturer
Celebrex® hard capsules from Mack, Illert (Pfizer).
Chemical name
4 – [5 – (4 – methylphenyl) – 3 – (trifluoromethyl) – 1H – pyrazole – 1 – yl] benzenesulfonamide Active ingredient: CelecoxibCelebrex® belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In addition to good pain-relieving properties, it also has anti-inflammatory potency. It is used primarily for treating conditions affecting the skeleton and bones.
Fields of application
Typical applications of Celebrex® are
- Arthrosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Swelling after sports injuries and surgery
- Back Pain
- Slipped disc
All NSAIDs ́s inhibit an endogenous enzyme, the so-called cyclooxygenase. This enzyme plays a decisive role in the formation of prostaglandins. One differentiates between two classes of this cycolooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).
Prostaglandins are so-called pain mediators that regulate functions such as pain, inflammation and fever. Prostaglandins also influence blood clotting. Celebrex® is a member of a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs; it is a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor.
This means that it mainly inhibits COX-2, which is responsible for pain and swelling, while it only slightly inhibits COX-1, which regulates stomach protection, among other things. In summary, the COX-2 inhibitors are a good approach to treat selectively, it remains to be seen whether this selective therapy does not increase the risk of side effects (heart attack and stroke in particular). The active substance celecoxib, unlike most other active substances from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is absorbed relatively slowly, so that the full pain-relieving effect is only achieved after 24 to 48 hours.
A daily intake is necessary to achieve a sufficiently high blood level of the drug. Celebrex® is only moderately suitable for the treatment of acute pain. It should then be combined with an active ingredient that acts faster and bridges the time until Celebrex® takes full effect.
Dosage
Celebrex® is available as hard capsules in dosages of 100 and 200 mg. The manufacturer recommends 2 x 100 mg (1-0. -1) or 2 x 200 mg (1-0-1). The maximum daily dose is 400 mg per day, if the weight is less than 50 kg the recommended maximum dose is 200 mg per day.
Price
Since there is always talk of cost pressure in the health care system, I think it is important to know the prices of medicines: Celebrex® 100 mg | 20 hard capsules (N1) | 21,41 € Celebrex® 200 mg | 100 hard capsules (N3) | 120,83 €
Celebrex® for the treatment of back pain
Celebrex® is mainly used to treat degenerative changes (signs of wear and tear) in the joints and spine. It is also frequently used to treat back pain. Both Celebrex® and its active ingredient partner Arcoxia® are popular drugs for the treatment of back pain. However, therapy with diclofenac or ibuprofen can also be considered, depending on what is the triggering cause of the pain. Ibuprofen, for example, works very reliably, especially for muscular pain such as tension that has nothing to do with wear and tear.
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