Master Celecoxib with Picmonic for Medicine

Celecoxib can be used in rheumatoid arthritis, as it is helpful in patients who need regular and long-term pain relief.

Celecoxib is indicated for use in osteoarthritis, as it has less side effects than other NSAIDs.

Celecoxib relieves pain via inhibition of COX-2.

Celecoxib is an NSAID; however, unlike most other NSAIDs it selectively blocks COX-2 and has little effect on COX-1.

Due to it’s selective inhibition of COX-2, it does not have toxic GI effects which are mediated through inhibition of COX-1.

Celecoxib is a sulfonamide drug that can cause sulfa allergy.

This is believed to occur due to COX-2 expression in vascular endothelial cells. Inhibition of COX-2 leads to decreased prostacyclin production and platelet aggregation.

Celecoxib is less likely than non-selective NSAIDs to cause GI toxicity and bleeding because it selectively inhibits COX-2 while sparing COX-1, which helps maintain the protective gastric mucosa. However, GI complications can still occur, particularly in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease, the elderly, and those taking concurrent medications such as aspirin, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, or SSRIs. When celecoxib is combined with aspirin, the GI protective advantage is significantly diminished.

It is a category D drug after 30 weeks gestation and should not be prescribed.