Bextra

BEXTRA is a drug used for the treatment of pain and inflammation of arthritis. It is a part of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Bextra works by reducing substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, and fever.

Active Ingredients: Valdecoxib Tablets

Typical Brand Names: Bextra

What Is It Used For?
Bextra is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. Bextra can also be handy for the treatment of painful menstruation.

How Is It Used?
Take Bextra with a full glass of water or milk, you can take the medication with or food. Do not take Bextra without consulting your doctor.

Are There Possible Side Effects?
Bextra may cause side effects like abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort; nausea; bloody vomit; bloody, black, or tarry stools; unexplained weight gain; swelling or water retention; fatigue or lethargy; a skin rash; itching; yellowing of the skin or eyes;" flu-like" symptoms; or unusual bruising or bleeding. It may also lead to serious adverse effects like skin rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, tongue or face. Consult your doctor immediately if any of these side effects bother you.

Is It Safe?
According to the FDA there is an increased cardiovascular risk for all prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory arthritis medicines, as well as the increased rate of rare, serious skin reactions with BEXTRA. The FDA has requested that sales of BEXTRA be suspended.

What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
Do not take Bextra without your doctor's approval if you are taking any of the following drugs- aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate-magnesium salicylate. A diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), and others. An angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and others. Steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone and others), methylprednisolone (Medrol and others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, and others), and others. You may require special monitoring or adjustment of dosage if you are taking these medicines.

What If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember but if you do not remember it till the next day, skip the dose and take the next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses of Bextra without consulting your doctor.

How Should It Be Stored?
Store Bextra at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Anything Else I Should Know?
Do not forget to consult your doctor about using Bextra if you have experienced asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction after taking a sulfa-based medication such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol, and others).

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.