Arthrotec vs. Celebrex

• Are Arthrotec and Celebrex the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Arthrotec?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Celebrex?
• What Is Arthrotec?
• What Is Celebrex?
• What Drugs Interact with Arthrotec?
• What Drugs Interact with Celebrex?
• How Should Arthrotec Be Taken?
• How Should Celebrex Be Taken?

Arthrotec (diclofenac sodium/misoprostol) and Celebrex (celecoxib) are used to treat arthritis.

Arthrotec is used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in people at high risk for developing stomach or intestinal ulcers.

Celebrex is also used for familial FAP, acute pain, and menstrual cramps.

Arthrotec and Celebrex both contain a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and Arthrotec also contains a prostaglandin that protects the stomach from irritating effects of NSAIDs.

Side effects of Arthrotec and Celebrex that are similar include diarrhea, upset stomach or stomach pain, nausea, bloating, gas, dizziness, or headache.

Side effects of Arthrotec that are different from Celebrex include drowsiness, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, or unusual vaginal bleeding.

Side effects of Celebrex that are different from Arthrotec include indigestion, nervousness, headache, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, skin rash, and insomnia. Celebrex may also cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Common side effects of Arthrotec include:

• nausea,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• blurred vision,
• ringing in your ears, or
• unusual vaginal bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Arthrotec including:

• difficult or painful swallowing,
• swelling of the hands or feet,
• sudden or unexplained weight gain,
• vision changes,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., depression),
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• persistent or severe headache,
• fainting,
• menstrual problems/irregular periods,
• unusual tiredness,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat),
• changes in the amount of urine, or
• unexplained stiff neck.

Common side effects of Celebrex include:

• headache,
• abdominal pain,
• indigestion,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• headache,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• skin rash, and
• insomnia.

Celebrex may cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Arthrotec (diclofenac sodium/misoprostol) is a combination non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a prostaglandin that protects the stomach from irritating effects of NSAIDs used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in people at high risk for developing stomach or intestinal ulcers. Arthrotec is available in generic form. Common side effects of Arthrotec include diarrhea and upset stomach or stomach pain within a few weeks after you start taking this medication, and usually last for about 1 week.

Celebrex used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as different types of arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other types of short-term pain.

Arthrotec may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), insulin or oral diabetes medicine, lithium, methotrexate, phenobarbital, steroids, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or ACE inhibitors. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Arthrotec must not be used during pregnancy. It can harm the fetus and mother. Use birth control while taking this medication. This medication passes into breast milk. However, this drug is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Do not take Celebrex:

• if you have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAIDs.
• right before or after heart bypass surgery.

For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the recommended dose of Arthrotec is 50 mg diclofenac sodium/200 mcg misoprostol or 75 mg diclofenac sodium/200 mcg misoprostol.

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Celebrex and other treatment options before deciding to use Celebrex. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.