Celebrex is used to reduce pain as well as inflammation by influencing the hormones circulating in the body. Physicians prescribe this drug to patients who are suffering from arthritis as well as ankylosing spondylitis. Celebrex is also oftentimes prescribed for dysmenorrhea as well as hereditary colon polyps. Because it has been very effective in controlling pain and inflammation, Celebrex has become one of the drugs of choice for arthritis. However, this drug has some very dangerous side effects that have placed it in the limelight of pharmaceutical litigation and cases.
Common Celebrex Side Effects
Some Celebrex users have reported that their blood pressure rose while they were on this drug. Along with hypertension, they also had some episodes of diarrhea as well as fever. Some experienced heartburn, abdominal pain, and indigestion, while there were also those who developed URI infections with cough and cold symptoms along with runny nose and sore throat. There were also Celebrex users who reported nausea and dizziness as well as vomiting. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was also a common side effect.
These are just some of the most common side effects of Celebrex, and it’s seen in about 2% or more of its users. The side effects usually resolve after Celebrex cessation.
More Serious Celebrex Side Effects
The most worrisome side effects of this drug are its effects on the cardiovascular system as well as the pulmonary and gastrointestinal systems.
Celebrex is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory COX-2 inhibitor drug. This means that it is inhibiting the production of cyclooxygenase-2, a chemical needed in prostaglandin production. COX-2 is associated with pain as well as inflammation, while prostaglandin plays an important role in blood pressure control as well as gastrointestinal and pulmonary smooth muscle control. Now, since Celebrex is inhibiting COX-2 to decrease inflammation and pain, the drug is also inhibiting prostaglandin as well. This then causes abnormalities in blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks as well as strokes. This also increases the risk of blood clots. Some of the symptoms associated with it are chest pain as well as weakness. There may also be some vision as well as balance problems since the brain is not receiving ample blood supply.
Aside from its effects on the heart, Celebrex also causes GI problems such as stomach bleeding as well as intestinal perforation and bleeding. Symptoms of this include bloody stools as well as tarry stools. The user may also begin coughing up blood or vomiting up vomitus that is very much similar to coffee grounds.
Cleebrex has also been associated with sudden death.
Pharmaceutical Litigation
Because of the fatal side effects of Celebrex, many users have filed lawsuits against the pharmaceutical company that’s manufacturing this drug. In fact, the company has settled a multimillion-dollar settlement in personal injury claims involving Celebrex. Unfortunately, Celebrex is still in the market, despite the drug being linked to strokes as well as heart attacks.
If you know someone or you, yourself, are taking Celebrex and are already suffering from its dangerous side effects, then you should know that you can get compensated for your sufferings. You can approach the office of your local personal injury lawyer for help in filing a case against the company, and the lawyer will help you seek just compensation for your injuries.
A freelance writer for Bob Cohen Law, Jennifer Dalbeck specializes in drug injuries as well as nursing home abuse. She also specializes in vehicular accidents, helping readers understand what a personal injury case is.