What is the COX enzyme?
The cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme has two forms: COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is found in a lot of cells all the time, notably the lining of the stomach where it regulates acid production. COX-2 is not present in most cells normally, only appearing when things are going wrong. As a result, COX-2 was thought to be responsible for the bad effects of the COX enzyme-pain and inflammation.
Celebrex was developed based on this belief that COX-2 was responsible for the bad effects of the COX enzyme and to reduce or even eliminate the gastrointestinal risks involved with the non-selective (traditional) NSAIDs like Aspirin ( acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), Ibuprofen, Nabumetone and Naproxen, that inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. However, COX-2 serves other purposes besides its role in inflammation. Among the purposes the COX-2 enzyme serves is that it plays a major role in controlling the cardiovascular system-stopping platelets from forming blood clots (thrombi - plural form of thrombus) in the heart, and preventing damage to vessels. It also serves other functions that are beyond the scope of this FAQ to explain.
Additional Celebrex FAQs
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Q:
What is Celebrex?
A: Similar to Vioxx, Celebrex is a COX-2 inhibitor belonging to the drug class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Like Vioxx, Celebrex was approved by the Food … More -
Q:
What is the problem with Celebrex?
A: It has been recently found that Celebrex, like the other COX-2 inhibitors Vioxx and Bextra increases the risk of heart attacks by 2.5 times, as well as strokes and … More -
Q:
What are the Celebrex side effects?
A: The ones causing the biggest uproar are the greatly increased risk of heart attack, and the increased risk of stroke and blood clots because those indicate overall … More -
Q:
What are NSAIDs?
A: NSAIDs are a large group of drugs that have pain-relieving (analgesic) and fever reducing (antipyretic) effects, as well as the effect of reducing inflammation when … More -
Q:
What is edema?
A: Edema is an observable swelling in certain parts of the body. Edema most commonly occurs in the feet and legs (peripheral edema). The swelling is the result of the … More -
Q:
What is pitting edema?
A: If you depress the skin of a swollen area (e.g., leg) with a finger and the pressing causes an indentation in the skin that persists for some time after the release … More -
Q:
What is non-pitting edema?
A: Non-pitting edema is where there is not a persistent indentation to the skin. It normally affects the arms and legs. Non-pitting edema can occur in certain disorders … More -
Q:
What is a black box warning?
A: A black box warning, also referred to as a boxed warning, is the most urgent warning mandated by the FDA. It is used to alert consumers of the adverse risks … More
