The History of Celebrex

The History of Celebrex

            Pfizer began marketing its drug Celecoxib, under the brand name of Celebrex, in 1999 (note: in some countries the drug is also branded as Celebra).  Celebrex is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).&nbs! p; From a molecular standpoint, Celebrex is a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor.  Specifically, it inhibits cyclooxygenase (the production of prostaglandin).  It is differentiated from other NSAIDs in that, unlike Celebrex, they inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2.  Celebrex is primarily used and licensed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and acute pain.  However, it's also both licensed and prescribed to treat the pain associated with menstruation (and various other menstrual issues).  Celebrex has also been used to reduce the amount of colon and rectum polyps, occurring in patients diagnosed with adenomatous polyposis.