12 Celecoxib (Celebrex) Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Celecoxib (Celebrex) is an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to manage pain and inflammation caused by various conditions. While celecoxib provides effective relief for many people, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects that can arise while taking it.

The most common celecoxib side effects include stomach upset, upper respiratory infection, and diarrhea. Gas, abdominal pain, and swelling are also possible. Many celecoxib side effects can be managed easily at home. But some can be more serious and require medical attention.

You can help prevent or lessen certain side effects by following a few tips, such as taking the medication with food and sticking to the lowest effective dose. Below, we cover 12 celecoxib side effects and what you can do to manage them.

1. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common celecoxib side effect. It’s often mild and usually goes away on its own. Keep in mind that there are many possible causes of diarrhea. Your healthcare provider can help you figure out the cause if it’s not going away or is getting worse.

If your diarrhea is severe or has blood in it, something more serious may be going on. Diarrhea with a fever or severe abdominal pain can also be concerning. Contact your provider right away if these symptoms develop.

2. Stomach upset

Stomach upset is a common side effect of many medications, including celecoxib. It’s generally not a serious problem and should get better over time.

Celecoxib can be taken with or without food. If you’re experiencing stomach upset after your dose, try taking it with a snack or a meal. Minimizing high-fat, fried, or spicy foods may also help. If these tips aren’t helping, check in with your healthcare provider about your options.

3. Abdominal pain

Some people report abdominal pain while taking celecoxib. This is often temporary and resolves on its own. However, it’s important to keep in mind that abdominal pain can have many possible causes. And in some cases, it can be a sign of something serious.

Let your healthcare provider know if you have bothersome abdominal pain. They can help determine the likely cause of your symptoms. But if it’s severe or accompanied by a fever, bleeding, or fainting, go to the nearest emergency room.

4. Gas

Abdominal gas is a possible side effect of celecoxib. While it may be from the medication, certain foods, drinks, and health conditions can also cause you to feel gassy.

If you’re having problems with gas while taking celecoxib, try avoiding carbonated beverages and foods that produce gas, such as broccoli, beans, and apples. You can also use over-the-counter (OTC) medications like simethicone (Gas-X). If your gas isn’t going away, talk with your healthcare provider about what to do next.

5. Swelling

NSAIDs like celecoxib can cause swelling or fluid buildup. Normally, this is most noticeable in the legs and ankles, but it can happen anywhere in the body.

Too much fluid buildup can be harmful if you have certain medical conditions, like heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Let your healthcare provider know if you have these conditions before starting celecoxib.

Your healthcare provider may suggest reducing your salt intake to help manage swelling from celecoxib. Let them know if your swelling isn’t improving or if it’s getting worse.

6. Stomach ulcers and bleeding

All NSAIDs, including celecoxib, can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. In serious cases, this can lead to bleeding that’s severe or life-threatening. But because of how it works, however, celecoxib seems to have a lower risk of ulcers and bleeding than other NSAIDs.

If you’ve had stomach bleeding or ulcers in the past, you may be more likely to experience them when taking celecoxib. Taking other medications that raise your bleeding risk, like anticoagulants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also make bleeding more likely.

Unusual fatigue, red or black stools, and persistent or severe heartburn can be indicators of stomach bleeding or ulcers. Check with your healthcare provider right away if you have these symptoms.

Taking the lowest effective celecoxib dose only for as long as you need it can help lower your risk of ulcers and bleeding. It’s also important to share your current medication list with your healthcare provider to flag potential drug interactions ahead of time.

7. Liver damage

While rare, liver damage has been reported in people taking celecoxib. If this happens, you may not have any noticeable symptoms. But your healthcare provider may notice signs of liver damage on your lab work.

However, symptoms of liver damage generally include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, and flu-like symptoms. Let your healthcare provider know if these develop.

8. High blood pressure

All NSAIDs, including celecoxib, can raise your blood pressure. In some cases, this may be caused by the medication itself. But NSAIDs can also make certain blood pressure medications less effective, which is another possible explanation for this side effect.

While you’re taking celecoxib, your healthcare provider may keep a close eye on your blood pressure, or have you check it more often at home. If your blood pressure is too high, they may recommend stopping celecoxib and using a different medication. They also may adjust doses of any blood pressure medications you’re taking.

9. Kidney damage

Celecoxib, like other NSAIDs, can cause kidney damage. Older adults, people taking certain blood pressure medications, and those with existing kidney, heart, or liver problems may have an increased risk.

Some studies suggest that kidney damage may be less likely with celecoxib than with other NSAIDs, but it’s still possible. As with other celecoxib side effects, taking the lowest effective dose for the shortest time you can may help lessen this risk. Let your healthcare provider know if you’re having difficulty peeing or notice changes in how often you need to urinate, since these can be signs of kidney problems.

10. High potassium levels

NSAIDs like celecoxib can cause higher potassium levels in your blood. In some cases, this may not be a problem, especially if the change is small. But in other cases, high potassium can be dangerous. It affects how the heart beats and can be life-threatening in severe situations.

If you have kidney disease, higher potassium levels may be more likely with celecoxib. In this case, your healthcare provider may want to monitor your blood work closely during treatment. If your potassium is too high, they may have you stop celecoxib or make other changes to your medications.

11. Serious skin reactions

While rare, serious skin reactions are a dangerous potential side effect of celecoxib. These reactions include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. All of these serious skin reactions can be fatal and can happen without warning.

If you notice flu-like symptoms followed by a skin rash after you start taking celecoxib, let your healthcare provider know right away. You may need to stop taking celecoxib. If you’ve had a serious skin reaction to other NSAIDs, you should avoid taking celecoxib.

12. Cardiovascular risks

Celecoxib has a boxed warning (the FDA’s most serious medication warning) about an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. This risk may be higher in people with pre-existing heart disease.

All NSAIDs can raise your risk of cardiovascular events. But celecoxib has a larger heart attack risk than others. Based on your heart history, your healthcare provider can determine whether it’s safe for you to take celecoxib. And if you’ve had a heart attack, it’s recommended to avoid NSAIDs altogether.

If celecoxib is safe for you to take, it’s recommended to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible to lessen this risk.

When should you contact your healthcare provider about celecoxib side effects?

You should always feel comfortable contacting your healthcare provider about celecoxib side effects. Even if your side effects are mild, or if you just have a question, your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help. Usually, mild side effects can be handled at home.

If your side effects are bothersome or if they aren’t going away, it’s a good idea to ask your healthcare provider what to do next. And if you’re having serious symptoms such as chest pain, a worsening rash, or bleeding, let them know right away. You may need urgent medical care.

If you feel that your symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 right away and seek emergency care.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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