Introduction
The active ingredient of Celebrex® is celecoxib. Celebrex® is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is designed to treat irritation and pain in degenerative joint disease. However, Celebrex® also causes adverse effects.
The spectrum of side effects is very wide. Not every patient treated with Celebrex® experiences the same level of side effects. Each body is individual and reacts differently to the use of Celebrex®. In addition, the degree to which side effects occur also depends on whether the drug was administered as a syringe, tablet, solution or ointment.
Water retention
Often patients who have taken Celebrex® complain of edema. Edema is fluid retention in tissue.
Digestive tract
Celebrex® can often reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is centrally important for the breakdown of food proteins. Inhibition of gastric emptying is also known to be a possible side effect of Celebrex®. When Celebrex® is taken orally, oral or gastric mucous membrane inflammation must be expected.
In addition, a spastic increase in tone of the ring muscles in the large and small intestine may occur. In this case the transport of the food pulp is disturbed or stopped completely. The possible inhibition of gastrointestinal tract activity caused by Celebrex® can ultimately lead to constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and vomiting and can be very painful. Extremely rarely does Celebrex® treatment cause ulcers throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Celebrex® therapy is not recommended if the patient suffers from gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcers, Crohn’s disease or other gastrointestinal disorders.
Immune System
Celebrex® has an influence on the immune system. On the one hand, Celebrex® can lead to numerous inflammations of various organs, such as the pancreas, sinuses, respiratory tract and urinary tract. While this is more common in the respiratory tract and sinuses, inflammation of the other organs mentioned is less frequent.
On the other hand, allergic reactions can occur as a side effect. These are initiated by the histamine release of Celecoxib (active ingredient of Celebrex®). Histamine plays a very important role in allergic processes. These can manifest themselves as rashes, itching or redness on the skin.
Cardiovascular
Celebrex® can both raise and lower blood pressure, although the former side effect is rare. If the blood pressure drops too low, in extreme cases a life-threatening circulatory shock can occur. Other known side effects in the cardiovascular system are heart attack and cardiac insufficiency. Therefore, the administration of Celebrex® is contraindicated in patients with severe, decompensated heart failure.
Psychological complaints
The adverse effects of Celebrex® are sleepiness, but also sleep disorders, headaches and lack of concentration. In rare cases, Celebrex® causes anxiety, depression, confusion and delusions.
Blood count
Sometimes an anaemia occurs, i.e. a lack of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Therefore, when taking Celebrex®, anemia symptoms such as paleness, fatigue, and reduced physical and mental performance may occasionally occur. Less frequently, the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets may also be reduced by Celebrex®.
Because the white blood cells maintain the immune system, the risk of infection can be increased in cases of leukocyte deficiency. A lack of blood platelets (thrombocytes) is called thrombocytopenia. This is associated with blood coagulation disorders.
