The celecoxib (brand name Celebrex) for gout discussion answered questions including:
  • Is Celebrex (celecoxib) a good treatment for Gout?
  • What is Celebrex for ?

Celebrex For Gout Discussion

nulima:
I was just given this NSAID instead of the indomethacin I had before. The reason I can’t take the Indomethacin is due to a duodenum ulcer which caused it to be made worse.

Celebrex is an anti-inflamtory drug. Has anyone used it? Like to see your response please. Thanks.

GoutPal:

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) reduce inflamamtion by inhibiting enzymes that trigger inflammation. This enzyme, Cyclooxygenase, has different types – COX-1 and COX-2.

Most NSAIDs, like Indomethacin (becoming increasingly known as indometacin) affect COX-1 and COX-2, but COX-1 is also good at protecting the stomach, so ihibiting it can cause, or exacerbate, ulcers. This is a short summary of a very complicated subject.

Generally speaking, COX-1 inhibition is seen as a bad thing, yet many people can cope with this class of NSAIDs without showing problems. Significantly, most experts believe that the risk increases the longer NSAIDs are taken.

Celebrex (a brand name for celecoxib) is the only COX-2 inhibitor currently available in the US. Vioxx and Bextra have been withdrawn, whilst Arcoxia (Etoricoxib) and Prexige (Lumiracoxib have been refused approval. There are fears of increased risk of heart attack and strokes.

The most important thing for any gout sufferer is to see pain relief in general, and NSAIDs in particular as short term measures. They should only be used to support uric acid lowering therapy. Quite frankly, I believe any doctor who prescribes long term pain relief outside a uric acid lowering treatment program is putting health at risk. (I accept there may be individual circumstances where this is the only resort, but it should be exceptional)

There is even less excuse for avoiding uric acid lowering treatment now that the new alternative to allopurinol – febuxostat – is available.


Celebrex For Gout – Next Steps

Similar to etoricoxib, celecoxib is definitely short term only. As such, it might be a useful choice for the occasional acute gout flare, but you must seek other choices for longer than a week.

Look at related answers about gout cures for pain here and check the Gout Treatment Help Section.