What it means
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugnon-STAIR-oy-dul an-tee-in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee DRUGA drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.non- notanti- againstinflamm/o inflammationFull entry that blocks mostly COX-2, an enzyme that drives pain and inflammation, and less of COX-1, which protects the stomach. It is used for osteoarthritisos-tee-oh-ar-THRY-tisA long-term joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away.oste/o bonearthr/o joint-itis inflammationFull entry , rheumatoid arthritisROO-muh-toyd ar-THRY-tisA long-term autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints.rheumat/o flowing, joint pain-oid likearthr/o joint-itis inflammationFull entry , other arthritis and acute pain. It carries less stomach risk than older NSAIDs but still can cause stomach bleeding, kidney injury and heart problems.
For the nurse
Its boxed warning covers heart attack and stroke risk and stomach bleeding. It is avoided right after heart bypass surgery and in clients with a sulfonamide allergy. Teach the client to take it with food and report black stools, chest pain or swelling. Its brand name looks like Celexa and Cerebyx.
At a glance
| Drug class | NSAID (COX-2 inhibitor) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Celebrex, Elyxyb |
| Spanish | celecoxib |
| Also written | Celebrex, Elyxyb |
Easy to confuse with
citalopram
An SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression.
fosphenytoin
An IV or IM anticonvulsant drug that the body turns into phenytoin, used to stop and prevent seizures.
Related terms
analgesic
A drug that relieves pain.
osteoarthritis
A long-term joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away.
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
A drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
ibuprofen
A drug that eases pain, fever and inflammation; a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.