PMR question

[Truckfoot]

Initially followed the advice frm the forum and stayed clear of using Celebrex to ween off of prednisone and was doing fine, got off of the prednisone and had to used extra strength Advil , which was fine until the pharmacist informed me that was not a safe option, so had to start on Celebrex 200 mg. Now info I received on this forum basically said that if it’s PMR Celebrex will not be able to control the symptoms , so I am hoping this means the PMR is in remission . Is there anyone else out there on Celebrex, because I am getting mixed info, checked with the pharmacist and asked do I have to eat food when I take it and can you have alcohol as I don’t see any warnings in the side the pill bottle, he assures me , no both are fine, however, checking on the internet drug is bad for your heart and kidneys and stomach, so one would think there would be warnings re take with food and no alcohol, unless it’s due the the dosage amount, 200 mg..... any thoughts on this would be appreciated, as can’t get in to actually speak to my doctor for probably three weeks....many thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The effects on the cardiovascular and renal systems are nothing to do with taking it with or without food - it is the systemic effect once it is into the body as a whole. All NSAIDs have an irritant effect on the stomach - some believe that is made worse by the systemic effect.

It was claimed that Celebrex is "less gastro-irritant" than other NSAIDs - less doesn't mean "not gastro-irritant". I use ibuprofen/Advil occasionally - nothing would induce me to take it on a daily basis long term. The same applies to Celebrex.

Other COX-2 inhibitors were removed from the market years ago since their risks outweighed the benefits. Celebrex remained on the market after further studies were said to suffice - but there were accusations of manipulation of the data.

I find this pretty damning:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/162...

Basically I suppose it comes down to whether it does actually work to replace pred - but personally I'd rather take pred at a low dose than any NSAID on a regular basis for more than a week or two.

[Greynomad]

I am off Prednisolone and take Celebrex, 100mlg. so 1 with breakfast and 1 with dinner. (I take any tablet with food). Can't say that I am fit as a fiddle but I'd rather take Celebrex or Voltaren rather than steroids.