Celebrex is a prescription medication used to treat pain associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, and works to reduce pain and inflammation by stopping the production of a substance that causes the symptoms, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Individuals have an increased risk of having a stroke, heart attack or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract when taking Celebrex. The risk increases the longer a person takes the medication.
Step 1
Visit a physician to get a prescription for Celebrex. Follow the directions as directed by the physician or pharmacist. Celebrex is available in capsules in dosages of 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg, according to RxList.com.
Step 2
Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. Although it does not matter if an individual takes the medicine with or without food, eating food with doses larger than 200 mg may help reduce stomach discomfort.
Step 3
Take the medication once daily, at the about the same time each day. For a missed dose, take it as soon as remembered unless it is close to the next dose. If so, skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled.
Step 4
Open the capsule and sprinkle into a spoonful of applesauce for individuals who experience difficulty swallowing whole capsules. Do not chew the applesauce. Drink water after swallowing the spoonful.
Step 5
Avoid taking other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, at the same time as taking Celebrex, unless instructed to by a physician.
Step 6
Reduce alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking because coupling these activities with taking Celebrex can increase the risk of a stomach ulcer or bleeding, according to Pfizer, the manufacturer of Celebrex.
Step 7
Store Celebrex at room temperature and away from children.
