The generic drug celecoxib, marketed under the brand name Celebrex, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) primarily prescribed for moderate and mild pain from different forms of arthritis. These include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It helps fight symptoms such as pain in the joints, stiffness, swelling in areas affected and inflammation. It also may be used in other treatments.
Polyp Reduction
Celecoxib sometimes is prescribed by your physician to treat intestinal polyps that may form as part of FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis). According to the National Library of Medicine, a United States governmental organization, FAP is a disorder that is inherited. It may begin with polyps in the colon or large intestine as polyps. While these are not cancerous, the condition may develop into colon cancer or rectal cancer. Celebrex can fight these polyps to prevent the cancer from developing. This type of treatment usually accompanies procedures such as surgery or endoscopy to rid the body of the polyps.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Celebrex may be prescribed by your physician in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. According to the National Institutes of Health, ankylosing spondylitis is a lesser known arthritis that occurs in the spine. Swelling may occur from ankylosing spondylitis in between the vertebrae of the spine and between the pelvis and spine in the joints. Men develop a more severe form of the disease that may be recognized because the symptoms are stiffness and pain in the back. The end result may be a fusion in the spine that decreases the amount of movement you can make with your body. No cure yet has been found for ankylosing spondylitis, but because Celebrex is an anti-inflammatory drug, it may help with the disease.
Menstruation and Other Pain
A common side effect of menstruation is cramping. Celebrex is one of the drugs that may be prescribed to help lessen the pain from these types of cramps. According to the Mayo Clinic, menstrual cramps may include pain in the lower part of the abdomen and pain in the thighs and lower area of the back. There also are other types of acute pain that may be treated with Celebrex. Usually, any kind of pain that is associated with inflammation, such as gout, may be treated with Celebrex.
