Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

1. Bextra

Descriptions

Valdecoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) are used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis (rheumatism), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. However, this medicine does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it. It may also be used to treat pain associated with menstrual periods.

This medicine was available only with your doctor's prescription.

Valdecoxib was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S. market on April 7, 2005 due to safety concerns of increased risk of serious heart problems and skin reactions .

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of valdecoxib in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ketorolac

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abciximab
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acenocoumarol
• Amiloride
• Amineptine
• Amitriptyline
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Amoxapine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anagrelide
• Apixaban
• Ardeparin
• Argatroban
• Aspirin
• Balsalazide
• Bemetizide
• Bemiparin
• Bendroflumethiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Betrixaban
• Bismuth Subsalicylate
• Bivalirudin
• Bromfenac
• Budesonide
• Bufexamac
• Bumetanide
• Cangrelor
• Celecoxib
• Certoparin
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorthalidone
• Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
• Choline Salicylate
• Cilostazol
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clonixin
• Clopamide
• Clopidogrel
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Cyclosporine
• Cyclothiazide
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Deflazacort
• Desipramine
• Desirudin
• Desmopressin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexamethasone
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diazoxide
• Dibenzepin
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Digoxin
• Dipyridamole
• Dipyrone
• Dothiepin
• Doxepin
• Droxicam
• Duloxetine
• Edoxaban
• Emtricitabine
• Enoxaparin
• Eplerenone
• Epoprostenol
• Eptifibatide
• Escitalopram
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Etozolin
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Feverfew
• Floctafenine
• Fluconazole
• Flufenamic Acid
• Fluoxetine
• Flurbiprofen
• Fluvoxamine
• Fondaparinux
• Furosemide
• Ginkgo
• Gossypol
• Heparin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydrocortisone
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Ibuprofen
• Iloprost
• Imipramine
• Indapamide
• Indomethacin
• Inotersen
• Ketoconazole
• Ketoprofen
• Lepirudin
• Levomilnacipran
• Lithium
• Lofepramine
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Magnesium Salicylate
• Meadowsweet
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Melitracen
• Meloxicam
• Melphalan
• Mesalamine
• Methotrexate
• Methyclothiazide
• Methylprednisolone
• Metolazone
• Milnacipran
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Nadroparin
• Naproxen
• Nefazodone
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Nortriptyline
• Olsalazine
• Opipramol
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Parnaparin
• Paroxetine
• Pemetrexed
• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Phenylbutazone
• Phenyl Salicylate
• Piketoprofen
• Piretanide
• Piroxicam
• Polythiazide
• Potassium Citrate
• Prasugrel
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Protein C
• Protriptyline
• Quinethazone
• Reviparin
• Rivaroxaban
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylamide
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Selexipag
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Sodium Salicylate
• Spironolactone
• Sulfasalazine
• Sulfinpyrazone
• Sulindac
• Tacrolimus
• Tenofovir Alafenamide
• Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
• Tenoxicam
• Tianeptine
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tinzaparin
• Tirofiban
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Torsemide
• Trazodone
• Treprostinil
• Triamterene
• Trichlormethiazide
• Trimipramine
• Trolamine Salicylate
• Venlafaxine
• Vilazodone
• Vorapaxar
• Vortioxetine
• Warfarin
• Xipamide

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acebutolol
• Atenolol
• Azilsartan
• Azilsartan Medoxomil
• Benazepril
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Candesartan
• Captopril
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Enalapril
• Enalaprilat
• Eprosartan
• Esmolol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Fosinopril
• Irbesartan
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Lisinopril
• Losartan
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Moexipril
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Norethindrone
• Olmesartan
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Perindopril
• Pindolol
• Propranolol
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Sotalol
• Spirapril
• Telmisartan
• Timolol
• Trandolapril
• Valsartan

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse (or history of ) or
• Bleeding problems or
• Poor general health or
• Stomach ulcer or other stomach or intestinal problems or
• Tobacco use (or recent history of)—The chance of side effects may be increased.

• Allergy to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or
• Asthma with inflammation in the nose (with or without polyps) or with spasm in the breathing tubes caused by aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or
• Skin rash after taking aspirin or NSAIDs—Using valdecoxib with these medicines may cause these problems to become much worse.

• Allergy to sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim [e.g., Bactrim, Cotrim], sulfisoxazole [e.g., Gantrisin])—May be at greater risk of serious skin reactions.

• Anemia or
• Dehydration or
• Fluid retention (swelling of feet or lower legs) or
• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Valdecoxib may make these conditions worse.

• Pain after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery—Higher risk of serious heart complications and infection in these patients. Valdecoxib should not be used.

Proper Use

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

The following section is for information only, since the drug is no longer available.

• Oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For dysmenorrhea (pain with your menstrual period)
  • For osteoarthritis
  • For rheumatoid arthritis

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

If you will be taking this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits.

Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink alcoholic beverages while being treated with this medicine. Therefore, do not regularly drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this medicine. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without any warning. However, possible warning signs often occur, including swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe stomach pain, black, sticky stools, and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain; and/or skin rash. Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with valdecoxib. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling, loosening of skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, white spots in mouth or on lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor immediately if fever, drowsiness, itching of the skin, tiredness, nausea, or stomach pain occurs; these effects may be the first signs of liver toxicity.

Valdecoxib may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients who are allergic to aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or sulfonamide-type drugs. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, wheezing, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in color of the skin of the face; very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse; hive-like swellings on the skin; and puffiness or swellings of the eyelids or around the eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency help at once. Do not try to drive yourself. Call an ambulance, lie down, cover yourself to keep warm, and prop your feet higher than your head. Stay in that position until help arrives.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

1. Bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, feet
2. blood in urine
3. bloody, black, or sticky stools
4. blurred vision
5. chills
6. decreased or painful urination
7. dizziness
8. fever
9. muscle aches and pains
10. nausea
11. nervousness
12. pale skin
13. pounding in the ears
14. rapid weight gain
15. severe stomach pain
16. tingling of the hands or feet
17. trouble breathing with exertion
18. unusual bleeding or bruising
19. unusual tiredness or weakness
20. vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
21. yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

1. Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
2. constipation
3. cracks in the skin
4. darkened urine
5. difficulty swallowing
6. fast heartbeat
7. hives
8. indigestion
9. itching
10. itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
11. joint or muscle pain
12. large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
13. loss of appetite
14. loss of heat from the body
15. nausea
16. pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
17. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
18. red, irritated eyes
19. red, swollen skin
20. scaly skin
21. shortness of breath
22. skin rash
23. sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
24. tightness in chest
25. vomiting
26. wheezing
27. yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of overdose

1. Bloody or black tarry stools
2. continuing thirst
3. dizziness
4. drowsiness
5. headache, severe or continuing
6. nausea and/or vomiting
7. shortness of breath
8. stomach pain
9. sudden decrease in the amount of urine
10. swelling of face, fingers, and/or lower legs
11. tightness in chest and/or wheezing
12. troubled breathing
13. unusual tiredness or weakness
14. vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
15. weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Acid or sour stomach
2. belching
3. cough
4. diarrhea
5. ear congestion
6. headache
7. heartburn
8. indigestion
9. sore throat

Less common

1. Abdominal fullness
2. accidental injury
3. back pain
4. bloating in the abdomen
5. excess gas
6. rash
7. stuffy or runny nose

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/valdecoxib-oral-route/precautions/drg-20066654