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

Celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb) is an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis and other health conditions. Celecoxib can provide effective relief, but it’s helpful to know what side effects are possible.

You can help prevent or minimize celecoxib side effects by following a few tips, such as taking the medication with food and taking the lowest effective dose. Here, we’ll review celecoxib warnings as well as common side effects and what you can do to manage them.

Celecoxib side effects at a glance

The lists below include some common and rare celecoxib side effects. You can manage many common side effects on your own at home. Severe side effects are rare, but you should be aware of them so you know when to seek medical attention.

Common celecoxib side effects include:

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• Stomach upset (indigestion)

• Gas

• Swelling from excess fluid (edema)

• Dizziness

• Common cold-like symptoms, such as a sore throat or runny nose

• Nausea and vomiting

Rare but serious celecoxib warnings and side effects include:

• Kidney problems

• High blood pressure

• Liver damage

• Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels)

• Serious skin reactions

• Anemia

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which causes excessive blood clots. (This side effect is specific to children taking celecoxib for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.)

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Celebrex also carries a few boxed warnings. This is the FDA’s strictest warning for medications. While rare, these side effects can be life-threatening, and include:

• Increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke

• Increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or ulcers

• Increased risk of death for people having open heart bypass surgery (also called a coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG), so celecoxib should not be used in this setting

This isn’t a full list of all possible celecoxib side effects. Be sure to discuss possible risks with your prescriber before starting the medication. And always contact your healthcare team about unusual or severe side effects that occur during treatment.

Below, we’ll review 12 celecoxib side effects in detail and ways to manage them if they occur.

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 team 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 prescriber right away if these symptoms develop.

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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.

You can take Celecoxib with or without food. But 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 team about your options.

3. Stomach pain

Some people report pain in the stomach or lower abdomen while taking celecoxib. This is often temporary and resolves on its own. But stomach pain can have many possible causes. And in some cases, it can be a sign of something serious, such as an ulcer.

Let your prescriber know if you have bothersome abdominal pain while taking celecoxib. They can help determine the likely cause of your symptoms. But if the pain is severe or accompanied by a fever, bleeding, or fainting, go to the nearest emergency room.

4. Gas

Abdominal gas is another possible celecoxib side effect. You may feel bloated or pass gas more often than usual. Gassiness may go away as your body adjusts to the medication. Taking celecoxib with food may also help.

Certain foods, drinks, and health conditions can also cause you to feel gassy. So 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 try an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, such as simethicone (Gas-X). If your gas isn’t going away, talk with your prescriber about what to do next.

5. Swelling

NSAIDs like celecoxib can cause swelling or fluid buildup (edema). Normally, this is most noticeable in the legs and ankles, but it can happen anywhere in the body. You can help manage swelling at home by elevating and gently massaging the affected area. Regular exercise can also help.

Too much fluid buildup can be harmful if you have certain medical conditions, such as heart failure or chronic kidney disease. Let your prescriber know if you have these conditions before starting celecoxib.

Your prescriber 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, 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, such as 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. Seek medical care right away if you have these symptoms.

Taking the lowest effective celecoxib dosage for the shortest time possible can help lower your risk of ulcers and bleeding. It’s also important to share your current medication list with your prescriber and pharmacist to flag potential drug interactions ahead of time.

7. Liver damage

While rare, liver damage has been reported in people taking celecoxib. It seems to be more likely for people who are allergic to sulfa-based medications. So be sure to let your healthcare team know if you have a sulfa allergy before taking celecoxib.

Let your prescriber know if you notice yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, and flu-like symptoms while taking celecoxib. It’s also possible that you may not have any noticeable symptoms if liver problems occur. But your healthcare team may identify signs of liver damage in your blood work. So be sure to complete any scheduled testing during celecoxib treatment.

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 reason your blood pressure can go up.

While you’re taking celecoxib, your healthcare team 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, your prescriber may recommend stopping celecoxib and trying a different medication. They may also adjust the dosage of any blood pressure medications you’re taking.

9. Kidney damage

Celecoxib, like other NSAIDs, can cause kidney damage. The risk of kidney problems with celecoxib is higher for:

• Older adults

• People taking certain blood pressure medications

• People living 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 can help reduce this risk. Let your prescriber know if you’re having difficulty peeing or notice changes in how often you need to urinate while taking celecoxib. These can be symptoms of kidney problems.

10. High potassium levels

Celecoxib and other NSAIDs can increase 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.

High potassium levels don’t typically cause noticeable symptoms. But it may cause fatigue, numbness, or muscle weakness in some cases. It may also cause a change in your heart rhythm, which could feel like palpitations or a racing heartbeat.

High potassium levels may be more likely if you’re living with kidney disease or taking other medications that raise your potassium levels. In these cases, your healthcare team 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 to manage it.

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 skin reactions can be fatal and happen without warning.

If you notice flu-like symptoms followed by a skin rash after you start taking celecoxib, seek emergency medical attention. 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 about an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. This risk may be higher in people with pre-existing heart-related conditions.

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 prescriber 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.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

​​Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. Ulrich’s experience includes direct patient care in hospital and community pharmacies.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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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