Colchicine is an oral, plant-based prescription alkaloid derived from the dried seeds of the autumn crocus or meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) that, depending on the brand or generic, may be used to:

• treat and prevent gout flares in adults (Colcrys, generics)
• prevent gout flares in adults and children aged 16 years and older (Colcrys, Gloperba, Mitigare, generics)
• treat symptoms of Behçet disease (BD), such as redness, swelling, or pain) (generics)
• treat familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in adults and children 4 years of age or older (Colcrys)
• reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease or at high risk of developing it (Lodoco tablets).

Colchicine is not an analgesic medication and should not be used to treat pain from other causes.

How colchicine works is not fully understood. However, it’s believed the mechanism of action (MOA) of colchicine is to reduce the inflammatory reaction to urate crystals by interfering with a process in white blood cells that triggers inflammation and prevents their migration to areas of inflammation. Colchicine does not affect uric acid production or excretion.

Colchicine was initially approved in 1961 and developed before federal regulations requiring FDA review of all marketed drug products. Colchicine may also be used for purposes not listed here.

Colchicine uses

Colcrys tablets 0.6 mg are FDA-approved to:

• treat or prevent gout in adults (FDA-approval October 22, 2009)
• treat a genetic condition called Familial Mediterranean Fever in adults and children who are at least 4 years old (FDA-approval July 31,  2009).

Mitigare capsules 0.6 mg are FDA-approved to prevent gout flares in adults (FDA-approval September 26, 2014).

Gloperba oral solution (0.6 mg/5mL) is FDA-approved to prevent gout attacks (FDA-approval January 30, 2019).

Lodoco tablets 0.5 mg are FDA-approved to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease or at high risk of developing it (FDA-approval June 16, 2023). 

Generic forms of colchicine (colchicine 0.6 mg) have been used to treat or prevent attacks of gout, or to treat symptoms of Behcet’s syndrome (such as swelling, redness, warmth, and pain).

Colchicine is not a cure for gouty arthritis or Behcet’s syndrome, and it will not prevent these diseases from progressing.

Colchicine side effects

The most common side effects of colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal (stomach) pain

Serious side effects and warnings

Do not take colchicine if you have liver or kidney problems and you take certain other medicines. Serious side effects, including death, have been reported in these patients even when taken as directed.

Blood problems (such as myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia) have been reported (have happened in some people taking colchicine. Get medical help right away if you have a pale or gray color to your lips, tongue, or palms of your hands; feel weak or tired; unusual bleeding or bruising; or increased infections

Muscle weakness has happened in some people taking colchicine. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms muscle weakness or pain, numbness, or tingling in your fingers or toes.

Colchicine can cause serious side effects or death if levels of colchicine are too high in your body. Get medical help right away if you have:

• Muscle weakness or pain
• Numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Increased infections
• Feel weak or tired
• Pale or gray color to your lips, tongue, or palms of your hands
• Severe diarrhea or vomiting.

These are not all of the possible side effects of colchicine For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Before taking

Do not take colchicine if you have liver or kidney problems and you take certain other medicines. Serious side effects, including death, have been reported in these patients even when taken as directed.

Before you take colchicine, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have liver or kidney problems
• take other medications, including ones that are only taken for a short time, such as antibiotics, because they may interact with colchicine
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Your dose of colchicine may need to be changed.

Colchicine may rarely and transiently impair fertility in males who can father children.

Pregnancy

 It is not known if colchicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding

Colchicine passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take colchicine or breastfeed. If you take colchicine and breastfeed, you should talk to your child’s healthcare provider about how to watch for side effects in your child.

How should I take colchicine?

Take colchicine exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. If you are not sure about your dosing, call your healthcare provider.

• Colchicine tablets, capsules, or the solution can be taken with or without food.
• Measure Gloperba liquid with an accurate milliliter measuring device. A household teaspoon is not an accurate measuring device. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a measuring device and for instructions on how to measure the correct dose.

Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, are often the first sign of colchicine toxicity. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if new symptoms develop.

If you have a gout flare while taking colchicine daily, report this to your healthcare provider.

Do not stop taking colchicine even if you start to feel better unless your healthcare provider tells you.

Colchicine dosage

Dosage adjustments may be needed in patients with kidney or liver disease, younger patients, or when colchicine is taken with certain other medications.

• Your healthcare provider may do blood tests while you take colchicine.

How to take colchicine for gout flares in adults

Colcrys: 1.2 mg (two tablets) at the first sign of a gout flare followed by 0.6 mg (one tablet) one hour later.

• The maximum recommended dose of colchicine for the treatment of gout flares is 1.8 mg over one hour.
• Do not repeat this course for at least 3 days.
• Colchicine is taken to ease the pain of a gout attack.
• After taking the colchicine dose to treat a gout attack (flare), wait 12 hours and then resume the preventive dose.
• If you are already taking colchicine to prevent gout flares, talk to your healthcare provider about what you should take during a gout flare. 

How to take colchicine to prevent gout flares in adults

Colcrys: 0.6 mg once or twice daily in adults and adolescents older than 16 years. Maximum dose 1.2 mg/day.

Mitigare: 0.6 mg once or twice daily.  Maximum dose 1.2 mg per day.

Gloperba: 0.6 mg (5 mL) once or twice daily. Maximum dose 1.2 mg/day.

Colchicine dosage for Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)

Colcrys:

• Adults and children older than 12 years: 1.2 – 2.4 mg
• Children 6 to 12 years: 0.9 – 1.8 mg
• Children 4 to 6 years: 0.3 – 1.8 mg.

Give the total daily dose in one or two divided doses.

Increase or decrease the dose as indicated and as tolerated in increments of 0.3 mg/day, not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dose

Colchicine dosage for Behçet disease (BD)

Generic colchicine: Experimental doses ranged from colchicine 0.6 mg/day to 2 mg/day in divided doses.

Colchicine dosage to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death

Lodoco tablets: 0.5 mg (1 tablet) daily.

Colchicine poisoning

Colchicine is extremely dangerous if too much is taken. Even small amounts can be fatal, especially in children. The difference between a safe dose and an overdose is very small. Many people have died after accidentally taking too much colchicine. Handle and store colchicine carefully.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you take colchicine daily and you miss a dose, then take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

 If you take too much colchicine, go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

 Fatal overdoses have been reported with colchicine in adults and children. Keep out of the reach of children.

What should I avoid while taking colchicine?

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking colchicine. It can increase your chances of getting serious side effects.

Colchicine interacts with many other medications. Do not start a new medication without asking your healthcare provider first if it interacts with colchicine.

What other drugs can affect colchicine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking certain medicines with colchicine can cause your level of colchicine to become too high, especially if you have kidney or liver problems.

Even medicines that you take for a short period, such as antibiotics, can interact with colchicine and cause serious side effects or death. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• atazanavir sulfate (Reyataz)                
• clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune)
• darunavir (Prezista)
• digoxin
• fosamprenavir (Lexiva) with or without  ritonavir
• indinavir (Crixivan)                    
• itraconazole (Sporanox)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)                           
• lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
• nefazodone (Serzone)                            
• nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept)
• ritonavir (Norvir)                         
• saquinavir mesylate (Invirase)
• telithromycin (Ketek)               
• tipranavir (Aptivus).

Using colchicine with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (such as simvastatin, atorvastatin, or pravastatin), gemfibrozil, and fenofibric acid or cyclosporine may potentiate the development of muscle problems, including muscles weakness, or fatigue.

Co-administration of colchicine with dual CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitors (such as clarithromycin or cyclosporine) has resulted in life-threatening interactions and death.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may also interact and should not be consumed during colchicine treatment.

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take any of the medicines listed above. This is not a complete list of all the medicines that can interact with Colchicine. See the colchicine prescribing information for a complete list. Do not start a new medicine without talking to your healthcare provider.

Colchicine storage

Store colchicine tablets and liquid at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).

Keep in a tightly closed container, away from light.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Colchicine ingredients

Colcrys 0.6 mg tablets

Active Ingredient: colchicine 0.6 mg             

Inactive Ingredients: carnauba wax, FD&C blue #2, FD&C red #40, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.

Mitigare 0.6 mg capsule

Active Ingredient: colchicine 0.6 mg             

Inactive Ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate,

microcrystalline cellulose and sodium starch glycolate.

The capsule shell contains gelatin, purified water, titanium dioxide, erythrosine, Brilliant Blue FCF, and Quinoline Yellow.

Lodoco 0.5 mg tablets

Active Ingredient: colchicine 0.5 mg             

Inactive Ingredients: gelatin, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, potato starch, and talc.

Gloperba 0.6 mg/5 mL oral solution

Active Ingredient: colchicine 0.6 mg/5 mL oral solution

Inactive Ingredients: benzyl alcohol, FD&C Red No. 40, artificial cherry flavor, anhydrous citric acid, dibasic sodium phosphate, glycerin, propylene glycol, sucralose, xanthan gum, and purified water.

Generic colchicine 0.6 mg tablets

Refer to the manufacturer’s medication guide.

Generic colchicine 0.6 mg capsules

Refer to the manufacturer’s medication guide.

Who makes colchicine?

Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. makes Colcrys.

West-Ward Columbus Inc. makes Mitigare capsules for Hikma Americas Inc.

Agepha Pharma USA, LLC. distributes Lodoco.

Gloperba is manufactured for Scilex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Various manufacturers make generic colchicine 0.6 mg tablets including Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ascend Laboratories, LLC., and Actavis Pharma, Inc.

Various manufacturers make generic colchicine 0.6 mg capsules including Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, and Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

The Colazal brand of balsalazide is used to treat mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis in adults and children who are at least 5 years old.

The Giazo brand of balsalazide is used to treat mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis in men who are at least 18 years old.

Colazal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Colazal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Colazal may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• pain or burning when you urinate;
• worsening colitis symptoms–fever, stomach pain, cramps, or bloody diarrhea;
• kidney problems–little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain;
• liver problems–upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• low red blood cells (anemia)–pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Common side effects of Colazal may include:

• headache;
• mild or occasional nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
• joint pain;
• fever; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Colazal if you are allergic to Colazal or mesalamine, or to aspirin or other salicylates (including Kaopectate, Pamprin, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis.

Colazal tablets contain sodium. Talk to your doctor before using this form of balsalazide if you are on a low salt diet.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether Colazal will harm an unborn baby. However, having active ulcerative colitis during pregnancy may cause premature delivery or low birth weight. The benefit of treating ulcerative colitis may outweigh any risks to the baby.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice diarrhea in the nursing baby.

Colazal capsules should not be given to a child younger than 5 years old. This medicine tablets should not be given to anyone under 18 years old.

How should I take Colazal?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Colazal can be taken with or without food.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away. Medicine from the capsule may stain your teeth or tongue yellow/orange when mixed with food. Do not save the mixture for later use.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Colazal is usually taken only for a short time (8 to 12 weeks). Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.

Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Celecoxib is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain.

Celecoxib is used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old. It is also used in the treatment of hereditary polyps in the colon.

Elyxyb is used to treat migraine headaches with or without aura in adults. Elyxyb will only treat migraine headaches, but it will not prevent a headache that has already begun.

Warnings

Celecoxib can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don’t have any risk factors. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Celecoxib may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults. You should not take this medicine if you already have bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use celecoxib if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• an allergy to sulfa drugs; or
• a history of asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure celecoxib is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a stomach ulcer, bleeding in your stomach or intestines;
• heart disease, high blood pressure;
• asthma;
• bleeding problems;
• liver or kidney disease; or
• if you smoke or drink alcohol.

If you are pregnant, you should not take celecoxib unless your doctor tells you to. Taking a NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in women. Ask your doctor about this risk.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take celecoxib?

Take celecoxib exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.

You may take celecoxib with or without food.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture with water. You may save this applesauce mixture for later use in a refrigerator for up to 6 hours.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

Acute pain: 400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg if needed on the first day. Then, 200 mg twice daily as needed.

Usual Adult Dose for Dysmenorrhea:

400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg if needed on the first day. Then, 200 mg twice daily as needed.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

200 mg orally once daily or 100 mg orally twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

100 to 200 mg orally twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis:

400 mg orally twice daily with food.

Usual Adult Dose for Ankylosing Spondylitis:

200 mg orally once daily or 100 mg orally twice daily. If after 6 weeks of therapy no results are observed, a trial dose of 400 mg orally daily may be worthwhile. If no response is seen after 6 weeks, consideration should be given to alternate treatment options.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

2 years or older:

10 to less than or equal to 25 kg: 50 mg orally twice daily

Greater than 25 kg: 100 mg orally twice daily

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What to avoid

Avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs while you are taking celecoxib, unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to celecoxib (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

Celecoxib side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to celecoxib (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.

Stop using celecoxib and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• heart problems – swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• signs of stomach bleeding – bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• liver problems – nausea, stomach pain (upper right side), itching, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• kidney problems – little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• low red blood cells (anemia) – pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Common celecoxib side effects may include:

• stomach pain, heartburn, gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• dizziness; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

Celebrex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Celebrex is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain.

Celebrex is used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old. It is also used in the treatment of hereditary polyps in the colon.

Warnings

Celebrex may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults. You should not take this medicine if you already have bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

Celecoxib can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don’t have any risk factors. Do not use Celebrex just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Celebrex if you are allergic to celecoxib, or if you have:

• an allergy to sulfa drugs; or
• a history of asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a stomach ulcer, bleeding in your stomach or intestines;
• heart disease, high blood pressure;
• asthma;
• bleeding problems;
• liver or kidney disease; or
• if you smoke or drink alcohol.

If you are pregnant, you should not take Celebrex unless your doctor tells you to. Taking a NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take Celebrex?

Take Celebrex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.

You may take Celebrex with or without food.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture with water. You may save this applesauce mixture for later use in a refrigerator for up to 6 hours.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

Acute pain: 400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg if needed on the first day. Then, 200 mg twice daily as needed.

Usual Adult Dose for Dysmenorrhea:

400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg if needed on the first day. Then, 200 mg twice daily as needed.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

200 mg orally once daily or 100 mg orally twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

100 to 200 mg orally twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis:

400 mg orally twice daily with food.

Usual Adult Dose for Ankylosing Spondylitis:

200 mg orally once daily or 100 mg orally twice daily. If after 6 weeks of therapy no results are observed, a trial dose of 400 mg orally daily may be worthwhile. If no response is seen after 6 weeks, consideration should be given to alternate treatment options.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

2 years or older:

10 to less than or equal to 25 kg: 50 mg orally twice daily

Greater than 25 kg: 100 mg orally twice daily

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What to avoid

Avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs while you are taking Celebrex, unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to celecoxib (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

Celebrex side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Celebrex (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.

Stop using Celebrex and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Stop using Celebrex and call your doctor at once if you have:

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• heart problems – swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• signs of stomach bleeding – bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• liver problems – nausea, stomach pain (upper right side), itching, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• kidney problems – little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• low red blood cells (anemia) – pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Common Celebrex side effects may include:

• stomach pain, heartburn, gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• dizziness; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Celebrex?

Ask your doctor before using Celebrex if you take an antidepressant, steroid medicine, or medicine to treat or prevent blood clots. Taking certain medicines with an NSAID may increase your risk of a stomach ulcer or bleeding.

Many drugs can interact with celecoxib. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.