Vimovo vs. Celebrex

Vimovo (naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium) and Celebrex (celecoxib) are used to treat signs and symptoms of arthritis.

Vimovo is also used to treat ankylosing spondylitis and forms of arthritis when there is a high risk for stomach bleeding/ulcer.

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

Vimovo and Celebrex both contain a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Vimovo also contains a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Side effects of Vimovo and Celebrex that are similar include upset stomach, stomach/abdominal pain, heartburn/indigestion, nausea, gas, diarrhea, and dizziness.

Side effects of Vimovo that are different from Celebrex include constipation and drowsiness.

Side effects of Celebrex that are different from Vimovo include headache, bloating, nervousness, headache, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, skin rash, insomnia, and serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Both Vimovo and Celebrex may interact with antidepressants, blood thinners, azole antifungals, and lithium.

Vimovo may also interact with amphetamines, oral bisphosphonates, anti-platelet drugs, clopidogrel, corticosteroids, HIV drugs, probenecid, digoxin, iron supplements, other products containing naproxen, and other proton pump inhibitors.

Celebrex may also interact with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other cold/allergy/pain medicines that contain NSAIDs, diuretics (water pills), lithium, heart or blood pressure medications, and ACE inhibitors.

Side effects of Vimovo include:

• upset stomach,
• stomach pain,
• heartburn,
• nausea,
• gas,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• drowsiness, or
• dizziness.

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

• easy bruising or bleeding,
• lightheadedness,
• fainting,
• signs of a lung infection (such as fever, cough, trouble breathing),
• difficult or painful swallowing,
• swelling of the hands or feet,
• sudden or unexplained weight gain,
• symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, or persistent muscle spasms, seizures).

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.

Vimovo (naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium) is a combination of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis when there is a high risk for stomach bleeding/ulcer.

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.

Vimovo may interact with amphetamines, oral bisphosphonates, blood thinners, anti-platelet drugs, SSRI/SNRI antidepressants, clopidogrel, corticosteroids, HIV drugs, lithium, probenecid, digoxin, azole antifungals, iron supplements, other products containing naproxen, other proton pump inhibitors. Check medicine labels as many contain pain relievers/fever reducers similar to Vimovo and may increase the risk of side effects if taken together. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you are taking.

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.

The dosage of Vimovo is one tablet twice daily, 375 mg anaprox/20 mg esomeprazole or 500 mg anaprox/20 mg esomeprazole.

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.