Bextra (Valdecoxib) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 25, 2012

Bextra

Arthritis »

What is arthritis? What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.

Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia.

There are many types of arthritis (over 100 identified, and the number is growing). The types range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many types of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.

The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), metabolic abnormalities (such as gout and pseudogout), hereditary facto...

Read the Arthritis article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next »

Bextra

Osteoarthritis Overview Slideshow Pictures

Simple Exercises to Relieve OA Pain Slideshow

Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow Pictures

font size

Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Bextra Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking valdecoxib (Bextra)?

The manufacturer of valdecoxib (Bextra) has announced the voluntary withdrawal of the drug from the U.S. market. This withdrawal is due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) in patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (valdecoxib is a "COX-2" selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and safety concerns of an increased risk of rare but serious skin reactions in patients taking valdecoxib.

Do not take valdecoxib without first talking to your doctor if you have experienced asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction after taking a sulfa-based medication such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol, and others) or sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin); aspirin; or another NSAID such as celecoxib (Celebrex), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, and others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin). You may experience a similar reaction to valdecoxib.

Valdecoxib should not be used for the treatment of pain after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). The use of valdecoxib in such patients has led to an increased incidence of cardiovascular events, deep surgical infections and wound complications. Talk to your doctor before taking valdecoxib if you are being treated for pain associated with CABG.

Before taking valdecoxib, tell your doctor if you

smoke;
drink alcohol;
have an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach;
have liver disease;
have kidney disease;
have asthma;
have congestive heart failure;
have fluid retention;
have heart disease;
have high blood pressure;
have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder or are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
are taking a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone and others), methylprednisolone (Medrol and others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, and others), and others.

You may not be able to take valdecoxib, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or are taking any of the medicines, listed above.

Valdecoxib is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Valdecoxib should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because it may affect the formation of the baby's heart. Do not take valdecoxib without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether valdecoxib passes into breast milk. Do not take valdecoxib without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over the age of 65 years, you may be more likely to experience side effects from valdecoxib. You may require a lower dosage or special monitoring during your therapy.

How should I take valdecoxib (Bextra)?

Take valdecoxib exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Valdecoxib can be taken with or without food or milk. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store valdecoxib at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Related Drug Centers