II. Class
- NSAID in the COX2 selective class
 
III. Agents
- COX-2 Inhibitors
 - 
                          NSAIDs which favor COX-2 (alternatives to COX-2)
- Etodolac (Lodine)
 - Nabumetone (Relafen)
 - Meloxicam (Mobic)
- However, higher risk of NSAID Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects
 
 
 
IV. Advantages
- Less gastrointestinal adverse effects than other NSAIDs
- See NSAID Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects
 - Cost may not outweigh benefits
- Number Needed to Treat to prevent 1 GI Bleed: 200
 - Studies showing decreased GI Bleeds were flawed
- Compared Celebrex to high risk NSAID (Diclofenac)
 - Confidence Interval overlaps 1.0
 - (2000) JAMA 284:1247-55 [PubMed]
 
 
 
 - No inhibition of Platelet aggregation
- No increase in Bleeding Time
 - May have pro-thrombotic effect
 
 
V. Adverse Effects
- Nonfatal Acute MI risk increased over NSAIDs
- Vioxx voluntarily withdrawn from market October 2004
 - Celebrex however appears safer than Ibuprofen in terms of Cardiovascular Risk
 - Avoid if known vascular disease
 - Avoid if significant Cardiac Risk Factors
 
 - Adverse renal effects may occur
- Hypertension (1%)
 - Peripheral Edema (2-4%)
 
 - References
 
VII. Indications
- Osteoarthritis
 - Rheumatoid Arthritis
 - Acute pain
 - Familial adenoma polyposis
 - Arthritic pain relief in NSAID intolerant
- Bleeding risk
 - Peptic Ulcer Disease
 - Concomitant gastrointestinal symptoms
 - Age over 65 years
 - Concurrent medication predisposing to Gastritis
- Corticosteroids
 - Coumadin (Off-label use of COX2 Inhibitor)