Note: Bextra was withdrawn from the market in April of 2005.
Type of medication: Rx, Cox-2 enzyme inhibitor, NSAID.
Valdecoxib is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Valdecoxib works by reducing substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, fever. Valdecoxib is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. It is also sometimes prescribed as a Migraine preventive.
Precautions:
- Do not take valdecoxib without first talking to your doctor if you have experienced asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID such as celecoxib (Celebrex), rofecoxib (Vioxx), 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).
- Notify your doctor immediately if you develop abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort; nausea; bloody vomit; bloody, black, or tarry stools; unexplained weight gain; swelling or water retention; fatigue or lethargy; a skin rash; itching; yellowing of the skin or eyes;"flu-like" symptoms; or unusual bruising or bleeding. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
Pregnancy andBreastfeeding:
- FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm 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.
- 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.
Other medical conditions:
Be sure to tell your doctor about ALL medical conditions you may have.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
- Do not take valdecoxib without first talking to your doctor if you have experienced asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID such as celecoxib (Celebrex), rofecoxib (Vioxx), 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.
- Before taking valdecoxib, tell your doctor if you have
- a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding in the stomach
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- asthma
- congestive heart failure
- fluid retention
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- a coagulation (bleeding) disorder or are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Other medications:
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, especially:
- aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate-magnesium salicylate (Trilisate, Tricosal, others), and magnesium salicylate (Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Formula, others)
- an over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen
- a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), and others
- an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and others
- a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone and others), methylprednisolone (Medrol and others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, and others), others
- an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others)
- fluconazole (Diflucan) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Potential side effects:
- Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
- abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort
- bloody, black, or tarry stools
- nausea or heartburn
- bloody vomit
- unexplained weight gain
- swelling or water retention
- unusual fatigue or lethargy
- a skin rash or itching
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- "flu-like" symptoms
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- Continue medication and talk to your doctor if you experience:
- diarrhea
- nausea or upset stomach
- headache
