Key takeaways

  • While many side effects are mild, such as abdominal pain and dizziness, Celebrex can also cause serious side effects. These include liver and kidney problems, high blood pressure, and severe allergic reactions.
  • The risk of side effects, including long-term issues like heart failure and kidney damage, may increase with higher doses or long-term use of Celebrex. So doctors typically prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed.
  • Celebrex can also cause certain side effects in specific groups of people, such as children, females, and older adults.

Celebrex is a prescription drug used to treat the following inflammatory conditions in adults:

Celebrex is also used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children ages 2 years and older.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Celebrex can cause.

Celebrex has boxed warnings. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Celebrex” section.

Celebrex can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Commonly reported side effects of Celebrex include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Celebrex. These include:

To learn more about headache and weight gain, see the “Side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Celebrex unless your doctor recommends it.

Celebrex may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Celebrex may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Celebrex’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Celebrex, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Celebrex include:

To learn more about kidney problems, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Celebrex also has the following boxed warnings. To learn more, see the “Boxed warnings for Celebrex” section.

  • increased risk of serious digestive problems
  • increased risk of serious cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Celebrex and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Celebrex can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend you stop taking Celebrex immediately to help prevent a severe skin rash from occurring.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Celebrex, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Celebrex is used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in children ages 2 years and older. Many of the side effects of Celebrex in children are the same as those in adults. But certain children may develop a rare side effect called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

With DIC, blood clots form throughout the body. These clots can block blood flow to organs. They may also increase the risk of bleeding by using up cells and clotting factors that help the blood clot.

In the drug’s studies, only children with systemic JRA had DIC. This is a rare kind of JRA that affects the entire body.

If your child has systemic JRA, their doctor will likely order blood tests to monitor blood clotting. Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about this potential side effect.

Celebrex may cause temporary infertility in women. This is based on how the drug works as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

NSAIDs can affect prostaglandins (hormone-like substances) in your body. This can delay or prevent ovulation (release of an egg). A temporary delay of ovulation was shown in small studies of women taking NSAIDs, such as Celebrex.

If you’re having difficulty with fertility or conception, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Celebrex. They can recommend another treatment option for you.

Note: The use of the binary terms such as “female” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

Celebrex can have similar side effects in older adults (ages 65 years and older) as in younger adults who take the medication.

However, older adults may have a higher risk of experiencing certain side effects, such as kidney problems. (To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.)

Older adults also have an increased risk of serious digestive problems and risk of serious cardiovascular problems with Celebrex. These are boxed warnings for Celebrex. To learn more, see the “Boxed warnings for Celebrex” section.

If you’re an older adult taking Celebrex, talk with your doctor about possible side effects you may experience. They may monitor you more often to help prevent any side effects from worsening. In some instances, your doctor might recommend a lower dosage of Celebrex for you.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Celebrex’s side effects.

How do side effects of Celebrex 200 mg compare with other strengths, such as 100 mg?

The side effects of Celebrex are generally similar regardless of the dose you take. But the risk of having certain side effects may increase with higher doses of the drug. These side effects include serious digestive and cardiovascular problems, both of which Celebrex has boxed warnings for. (For more details, see the “Boxed warnings for Celebrex” section.)

For adults, the usual recommended Celebrex dosage is 200 milligrams (mg) per day. The maximum recommended dosage is 400 mg per day.

Your risk of side effects from Celebrex is lower if you take 200 mg per day than if you take 400 mg per day. Taking 100 mg instead of 200 mg per day may also decrease your risk of side effects.

To help reduce the risk of side effects from this drug, doctors usually prescribe the lowest Celebrex dose that manages your symptoms.

If you have questions about side effects with your dosage of Celebrex, talk with your doctor.

Can Celebrex cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible to have long-term side effects from Celebrex. These are side effects that may last after you stop taking the drug. They can happen with short- or long-term use of Celebrex.

For example, Celebrex may cause:

  • heart failure
  • high blood pressure
  • liver problems, including liver failure
  • kidney problems (learn more in the “Side effects explained” section)

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about long-term side effects of Celebrex.

Celebrex has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Increased risk of serious digestive problems

Taking NSAIDs, such as Celebrex, can increase your risk of serious digestive problems. These can include holes in your digestive tract, ulcers, and bleeding. Parts of the digestive tract usually affected include the esophagus, intestines, and stomach.

Symptoms of serious digestive problems can include:

These side effects can happen at any time during Celebrex treatment. In rare cases, they may be life threatening.

Certain factors can increase your risk of serious digestive problems. These include:

What might help

Doctors usually prescribe Celebrex at the lowest dosage and for the shortest time that gives the desired effect. This helps decrease the risk of serious digestive problems.

Talk with your doctor about your health history, including all the medications you take, before you start Celebrex treatment. Your doctor likely won’t prescribe this drug if you have factors that increase your risk of serious digestive problems. If they do prescribe Celebrex for you, they’ll likely monitor you for symptoms of digestive problems during your treatment.

Avoid taking other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), while taking Celebrex.

Let your doctor know right away if you have symptoms of serious digestive problems. They’ll likely pause your Celebrex treatment until they determine the cause of your symptoms. If they discover that you have digestive problems, they’ll probably have you stop taking Celebrex. They’ll treat your digestive problem and recommend a medication other than Celebrex to treat your condition.

Increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems

Taking NSAIDs, including Celebrex, can increase your risk of serious cardiovascular problems. These can include stroke and heart attack. This side effect may happen at any time while you’re taking Celebrex. But the risk is higher if you take a high Celebrex dosage or take the medication long term.

Having other heart conditions, such as heart disease, may also increase your risk.

Common symptoms of a stroke include:

  • vision problems
  • sudden, severe headache
  • difficulty speaking
  • weakness or numbness on one side of your body or face

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

What might help

If you have symptoms of stroke or heart attack, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately.

Doctors usually prescribe Celebrex at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest amount of time to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. Discuss your health history with them before starting Celebrex. They’ll let you know whether this drug is safe for you.

Learn more about some of the side effects Celebrex may cause.

Weight gain

It’s rare but possible to gain weight while taking Celebrex. In the drug’s studies, this side effect was only reported in people taking the drug for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Keep in mind that sudden weight gain can be a symptom of heart failure. This is a rare but serious side effect of Celebrex.

Other symptoms of heart failure can include:

What might help

Let your doctor know right away if you have sudden weight gain or other symptoms of heart failure with Celebrex. They’ll try to determine the cause. If they find that your symptoms are due to heart failure, they’ll likely have you stop taking Celebrex. Then they’ll provide treatment for your heart failure and recommend a different drug for your condition.

Headache

Headache is a rare side effect of Celebrex. In fact, in the drug’s studies, more people who took a placebo reported headache as a side effect than those who took Celebrex. (A placebo is a treatment with no active ingredient.)

What might help

Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you have bothersome headaches while taking Celebrex. They may recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever for your headache, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC drugs. They’ll let you know whether these drugs are safe to take with Celebrex or for your condition.

You should avoid taking OTC products that contain NSAIDs during your Celebrex treatment. Examples include:

  • acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine (Excedrin, Goody’s Extra Strength Headache Powder)
  • aspirin/caffeine (BC Powder)
  • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • naproxen (Aleve)

Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if you have a sudden, severe headache. This can be a symptom of stroke. (Celebrex has a boxed warning for the risk of serious cardiovascular problems, including stroke. For more details, see the “Boxed warnings for Celebrex” section.)

Kidney problems

Taking Celebrex can cause kidney problems, such as kidney damage. It’s not clear whether this side effect was common or rare in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms of kidney damage can include:

  • passing small amounts of urine
  • blood in your urine
  • shortness of breath
  • swelling of your arms, ankles, feet, or legs

Certain factors may increase your risk of kidney damage while taking Celebrex. They include:

What might help

Talk with your doctor about your health history, including all the medications you take, before starting Celebrex. They’ll likely not prescribe this drug if you have factors that increase your risk of kidney damage.

Let your doctor know right away if you have symptoms of kidney damage while taking Celebrex. They’ll try to determine the cause of your symptoms. If you have serious kidney problems, they’ll likely have you stop taking Celebrex and recommend a different treatment option.

Consider the following important information before starting Celebrex.

Celebrex has boxed warnings. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Celebrex” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Celebrex, discuss your health history with your doctor. Celebrex may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • heart conditions, including heart failure
  • allergic reaction to Celebrex or any of its ingredients
  • past serious skin reactions
  • heart bypass surgery
  • high blood pressure
  • kidney problems
  • liver problems
  • asthma
  • alcohol consumption

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Celebrex

You should not take Celebrex at 30 weeks of pregnancy or later. This is because Celebrex and other NSAIDs can cause harm to a fetus if taken from 30 weeks of pregnancy onward.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe Celebrex between weeks 20 and 30 of pregnancy. In this case, they’ll prescribe the lowest effective dosage for the shortest amount of time. It’s not known whether Celebrex is safe to take earlier in pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, let your doctor know before you start Celebrex treatment. They’ll discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medication during pregnancy.

A small amount of Celebrex may pass into breast milk. But it’s not clear what effects it would have on a child who is breastfed.

Let your doctor know if you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so before you start taking Celebrex. They’ll help you decide whether breastfeeding is safe while taking Celebrex or they’ll look into other safer treatment options.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.