Celebrex® (
celecoxib) is a medication used to treat
arthritis, menstrual pain, and a number of other conditions related to pain and inflammation. It comes in tablet form and is available by prescription only.
Celebrex belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or
NSAIDs for short. It is a specific type of NSAID known as a COX-2 inhibitor. This means it works by blocking the COX-2 enzyme, which plays a role in pain and inflammation.
Unlike other NSAIDs, such as
ibuprofen and
naproxen, that target both the COX-1 and the COX-2 enzymes, Celebrex only targets the COX-2 enzyme. This is significant because the COX-1 enzyme plays an important role in protecting the lining of the stomach.
(To learn more, click What Is Celebrex Used For? This article takes a closer look at how the medication works and describes the current research on other possible uses for Celebrex.)
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