Celebrex is the brand name for the generic drug celecoxib. It is used for pain and to prevent colon polyps in patients with a family history of colon cancer. As with most medications, the Celebrex tablet contains more than just celecoxib. Pills and tablets are usually a combination of inactive ingredients that are binders and fillers to help with processing. Celebrex tablets contain several of these.
Fillers in Celebrex Tablets
Celebrex tablets contain croscarmellose sodium and lactose monohydrate, which act as fillers in pharmaceutical tablets. Croscarmellose sodium also helps the tablets to properly disintegrate.
Lubricant in Celebrex Tablets
Magnesium stearate is used as a lubricant in Celebrex pills. Pharmaceutical lubricants improve drug powder flow and help prevent tablets from sticking to drug processing equipment.
Celebrex Tablet Binder
Celebrex tablets contain a binder called povidone. According to Pharmaceutical Formulations Databases and Resources, povidone helps hold the pill ingredients together.
Emulsifying Agent in Celebrex Tablets
Sodium lauryl sulfate is used as an emulsifying agent in medication tablets to help with absorption of the drug in the intestines. Websites and chain e-mails have been around for many years exaggerating concerns that sodium lauryl sulfate may cause cancer when used in food products since it is a potent detergent. The American Cancer Society feels that these claims are unwarranted and may be used by natural products distributors as a way to sell more of their own products.
Additional Ingredients in Celebrex Tablets
Gelatin is also found in Celebrex tablets. Edible inks are also used for uniform color.
