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 much less likely than other NSAIDs to cause GI toxicity and bleeding, because it spares COX-1, which helps maintain the gastric mucosa. However, patients with a prior history of peptic ulcers still require precaution, becase gastrointestinal complications can still occur, especially when celecoxib is combined with aspirin.

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