Bextra

What is Bextra

Bextra is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Bextra works by reducing substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, and fever.

Bextra is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. Bextra is also used to treat painful menstruation.

Bextra may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Bextra

Do not take Bextra without first talking to your doctor if you have experienced asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction after taking a sulfa-based medication such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol, and others) or sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin); aspirin; or another NSAID such as celecoxib (Celebrex), rofecoxib (Vioxx), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, and others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin). You may experience a similar reaction to Bextra.

Notify your doctor immediately if you develop 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. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.

Stop taking Bextra and contact your doctor immediately if you develop a skin rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, tongue or face; or other symptoms of an allergic reaction.

What you should find out before taking Bextra

Before taking Bextra, tell your doctor if you have:
- a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding in the stomach;
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
- asthma;
- congestive heart failure;
- fluid retention;
- heart disease;
- high blood pressure; or
- a coagulation (bleeding) disorder or are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin).

You may not be able to take Bextra, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or are taking any of the medicines, listed above.

Bextra is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Bextra should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because it may affect the formation of the baby's heart. Do not take Bextra without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether Bextra passes into breast milk. Do not take Bextra without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should take Bextra

Take Bextra exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Bextra can be taken with or without food or milk. Your doctor may recommend taking higher doses of Bextra with food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store Bextra at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Bextra overdose include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Avoid while taking Bextra

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking Bextra unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Possible side effects of Bextra

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Bextra and seek medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:
- abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort;
- bloody, black, or tarry stools;
- nausea or heartburn;
- bloody vomit;
- unexplained weight gain;
- swelling or water retention;
- unusual fatigue or lethargy;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- "flu-like" symptoms; or
- unusual bruising or bleeding.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Bextra and talk to your doctor if you experience
- diarrhea;
- nausea or upset stomach; or
- headache.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Bextra

Before taking Bextra, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate-magnesium salicylate (Trilisate, Tricosal, others), and magnesium salicylate (Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Formula, others);
- an over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen;
- 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;
- a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone and others), methylprednisolone (Medrol and others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, and others), and others;
- an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); or
- fluconazole (Diflucan) or ketoconazole (Nizoral).

You may not be able to take Bextra, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Bextra. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.