Valdecoxib (Systemic)
Brand Names : Bextra
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For valdecoxib, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to valdecoxib, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
aspirin or other salicylates. Also tell your health care professional if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Valdecoxib has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have shown that valdecoxib causes birth defects
and other problems. Valdecoxib may cause problems in the baby's heart and
lungs and is not recommended late in pregnancy. Before taking this medicine,
make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether valdecoxib passes into
human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small
amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who
are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with
their doctor.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in
adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of valdecoxib
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been
shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it
does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
valdecoxib, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Aspirin - Use of valdecoxib with this medicine may cause stomach
upset or problems
-
Fluconazole (e.g., Diflucan) or
-
Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral) or
-
Lithium (e.g., Lithane) - Taking these medicines may cause the
amount of valdecoxib in your blood to be too high
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of valdecoxib. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Alcohol abuse (or history of ) or
-
Bleeding problems or
-
Stomach ulcer or other stomach or intestinal problems or
-
Poor general health or
-
Tobacco use (or recent history of) - The chance of side effects
may be increased
-
Anaphylaxis due to allergy to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medicines or
-
Asthma with inflammation in the nose (with or without polyps) or
with spasm in the breathing tubes caused by aspirin or other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medicines - Using valdecoxib with these medicines may
cause these problems to become much worse.
-
Anemia or
-
Dehydration or
-
Fluid retention (swelling of feet or lower legs) or
-
Heart disease or
-
High blood pressure or
-
Kidney disease or
-
Liver disease - Valdecoxib may make these conditions worse
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