Celebrex is a selective COX-2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID for short. Celebrex and Celebra are the brand names while Celecoxib is the generic name. This drug is usually used to treat pain and inflammation for a number of conditions. You might consider it during cancer treatment for its effect on pain. Many pain drug options are available, but is celebrex the right choice? Is it safe to use while undergoing cancer treatment? What are the side effects? These are all questions you need to answer before choosing any drug.
Do Your Research.
Many people when suffering from pain just go and ask the doctor to prescribe a drug that can help. But that’s not enough. Especially when you have cancer. Your doctor might not look deep enough into your unique situation when prescribing a drug. You need to be able to ask the right questions. If you just assume the doctor knows best and has covered all the angles, you might be setting yourself up for failure. Remember that you are not the doctors only patient. Also remember that your doctor hasn’t read all the research performed on every drug either. The only way to be sure about anything is if you do your own research. Research, ask questions, and work in sync with your doctor.
What Not To Overlook.
Figuring out side effects, and how effective a drug might be on its intended purpose are the obvious things most people focus on. But how about its effect on cancer or the cancer treatment? Taking a drug for something like pain, heartburn, or even a headache might seem harmless. But all these things can have an effect on your overall cancer treatment. Whether it be positive or negative you should be aware. The only way to find this all out is through research. This is just another way you can add the odds in your favor. The last thing you want is to take something for an unrelated condition that will lower your odds while battling cancer.
There are times where not enough data is available to answer some of these questions. When this happens you just have to make the best decisions based on the information you do have. Fortunately, we have a good amount of research on celebrex.
Clinical Trial Results.
Meta-analysis of 11 celebrex clinical trials was performed. This study shows the efficacy and safety of celebrex in treating advanced cancers. The 11 clinical trials used had a total of 2570 advanced cancer patients. Overall response rate was significantly increased with addition of celebrex. However, 1 year mortality had no effect. The study concluded that celebrex is beneficial in the treatment of advanced cancer but increased the risk of cardiovascular events.
The cardiovascular side effects of celebrex are well known. Everyone taking this drug is at risk not just cancer patients. But if you are considering celebrex during cancer treatment, beneficial results have been noticed. No negative results other then increased risk for cardiovascular events was stated.
Read about another option for pain.
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