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Overview: Vyscoxa is a liquid medicine that can be taken for certain types of arthritis and immune conditions. Common side effects may include an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness or a rash. Serious side effects are less likely but may include stomach ulcers, low potassium levels in your blood, skin problems, or heart, liver, or kidney problems. Vyscoxa needs to be taken on an empty stomach. Make sure you tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take and your health conditions before taking Vyscoxa.

Uses

What is Vyscoxa used for?

Vyscoxa (celecoxib) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for the following conditions.

Vyscoxa may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Vyscoxa work (mechanism of action)?

Vyscoxa works by blocking certain substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

How is Vyscoxa supplied (dosage forms)?

Vyscoxa is available in a 10 mg/mL oral suspension that is taken by mouth.

How should I store Vyscoxa?

Vyscoxa should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, and protect it from light. You should throw away any unused medicine in the container 21 days after opening it.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Vyscoxa?

The most common side effects of Vyscoxa are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stomach pain or upset stomach
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Fluid retention, especially in the hands, feet, and legs (peripheral edema)
  • Dizziness
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sinus infection, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Rash

There may be other side effects of Vyscoxa that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Vyscoxa?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Vyscoxa are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Vyscoxa may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Heart Attack and Stroke. Vyscoxa can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is higher in people who already have heart disease and with longer use of Vyscoxa and higher doses. Do not take Vyscoxa if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your health care provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Stomach Bleeding. Vyscoxa can increase your risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, take higher doses of Vyscoxa or take it for longer than directed, have poor health, are age 60 or older, have liver disease, smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain other medicines. Stop taking Vyscoxa and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Vomit blood
  • Black or tarry poop
  • Stomach pain that does not go away
  • Upset stomach
  • Feel faint

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Vyscoxa. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Vyscoxa may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your health care provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

Heart Failure. Vyscoxa may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking Vyscoxa. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • A hard time catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

High Potassium Levels (Hyperkalemia). Vyscoxa can cause a high potassium level (hyperkalemia), which can be serious and may lead to death. Your risk may be higher if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be, if you are dehydrated, take certain medicines, or have certain health conditions. Your health care provider may check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a high potassium level. 

  • Muscle weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Abnormal heart rhythm

Severe Skin Reactions. Vyscoxa can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), or generalized bullous fixed drug eruptions (GBFDE), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop taking Vyscoxa and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of severe skin reactions.

  • Painful skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Anemia. Vyscoxa may cause anemia, which is when you have low levels of red blood cells. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.

  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Pale or yellowish skin 
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Shortness of breath

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Vyscoxa?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Vyscoxa.

  • Celecoxib
  • Vyscoxa
  • Any other medicine known as aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
  • Any other medicine known as a sulfonamide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Vyscoxa.

Heart Surgery. Do not take Vyscoxa right before or after a heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft. Taking Vyscoxa during this time can increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

What should I know about Vyscoxa before using it?

Do not take Vyscoxa unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Vyscoxa with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Vyscoxa out of the reach of children.

Shake Vyscoxa well before measuring your dose. This mixes the medicine up and helps to make sure you get the right amount when you measure your dose. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk of some side effects from Vyscoxa. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Vyscoxa may make it hard for you to get pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Vyscoxa?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Vyscoxa is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Vyscoxa may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Vyscoxa, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems, such as heart failure or a recent heart attack
  • Bleeding problems
  • Stomach ulcers, bleeding, or other stomach problems like heartburn
  • Liver or kidney problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Asthma
  • Stroke

Pregnancy. Do not take Vyscoxa at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy without talking to your health care provider. Taking Vyscoxa during this time may cause harm to a fetus and complications during delivery. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Vyscoxa while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Vyscoxa passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Vyscoxa while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Vyscoxa?

For more information about Vyscoxa, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.carwinpharma.com/products or call them at 844-700-5011.

Interactions

You should take Vyscoxa on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after eating. If you take it with food the amount of Vyscoxa that your body absorbs can increase significantly, which increases your risk for side effects. If you are not able to tolerate Vyxcoxa on an empty stomach, talk to your health care provider. They may need to change you to a different medicine. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Vyscoxa, but both Vyscoxa and alcohol can increase your risk of stomach ulcers. The risk of dizziness may also be increased if you drink alcohol while taking Vyscoxa. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does Vyscoxa interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Vyscoxa.

  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products, including those for pain, swelling, and fever
  • An antiplatelet medicine, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta), aspirin/dipyridamole, or cilostazol, which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), such as enalapril or lisinopril, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and other conditions
  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
  • Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • A salicylate, such as diflunisal or salsalate, which is a medicine used for arthritis
  • Pemetrexed (Alimta, Pemfexy), which is a medicine to treat certain cancers
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), which is a medicine used for fungal infections 
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Atomoxetine (Strattera), which is a medicine commonly used for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Vyscoxa, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Vyscoxa. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Vyscoxa?

If you or someone else has taken too much Vyscoxa, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Vyscoxa?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.