NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New York-based Pfizer Inc. said Monday that it has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle charges that it knowingly marketed a drug that has a high potential for abuse.

The company, which is based in Tempe, Arizona, agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle allegations that it marketed a drug known as celecoxib for the treatment of heartburn and osteoarthritis, a chronic condition that affects more than 1 million Americans.

Pfizer said the settlement will resolve claims that it marketed a drug that can cause heartburn, ulcers and stomach bleeding, the maker of the drug said in a statement.

The company said it is reviewing potential settlements and is working with the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to determine the best course of action.

"We understand that these allegations may impact the sales and marketing of this drug in other countries and we have worked closely with Pfizer to address these issues," Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read said in a statement.

The settlement resolves allegations that Pfizer marketed Celebrex, the blockbuster drug that caused heartburn and osteoarthritis, as a smoking cessation aid and used the drug to treat depression.

The company said that it has no plans to appeal the settlement and would seek a further settlement from Pfizer.

Celebrex is one of the drugs in the group's class of drugs called Cox-2 selective inhibitors, which work by blocking the production of a substance that helps relieve pain and swelling.

Pfizer said it had no plans to sell the drug to consumers.

Pfizer also said it will pay $1.5 billion to settle lawsuits filed in state court in the Northern District of Arizona in connection with the illegal marketing of the drug.

Pfizer said that the settlement resolves allegations that it marketed the drug that can lead to a dangerous drug abuse and other claims that its drug is potentially addictive.

The pharmaceutical giant will not comment on future sales and marketing agreements.

This story was reported from Los Angeles.

U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Frank R. Gonzalezitimate for his own usePfizer Inc. Agree to settle claims that it marketed a drug called Celebrex, the blockbuster arthritis painkiller that was approved in 1999 for the treatment of osteoarthritis, a chronic arthritis disorder that affects more than 100 million Americans. The drug, which is marketed as Celebrex, is known to cause heartburn, stomach bleeding and ulcers, a condition that is more than eight times more common in the United States than the rate in the United Kingdom, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

The company, based in Tempe, Arizona, said Monday that the settlement resolves allegations that Pfizer marketed Celebrex for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers and stomach bleeding.

The company said that the settlement resolves allegations that Pfizer marketed Celebrex for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers and stomach bleeding, the maker of the drug, to consumers.

"This settlement resolves allegations that Pfizer marketed Celebrex for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers and stomach bleeding," the company said.

Pfizer said that the settlement resolves allegations that it marketed Celebrex for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers and stomach bleeding, the maker of the drug, to consumers.

The company said that the settlement resolves allegations that it marketed Celebrex for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers and stomach bleeding, the maker of the drug, to consumers.

"Pfizer is pleased to provide this valuable service to our customers,"read its press release.

Introduction About CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE contains Celecoxib which belongs to group of medicines called Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is used in adults to manage osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory disease of joints), ankylosing spondylitis (chronic back pain), acute pain and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps).

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is also used to manage juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (in children aged 2 years and above).

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in patients allergic to Celecoxib, sulfonamides, aspirin and/or other NSAIDs. It is also not recommended for use in patients with/had a history of an ulcer in stomach/intestines, bleeding in stomach/intestines, blood circulation problems (such as peripheral arterial disease), red itchy welts, inflammatory disease of the intestines (such as ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease).

The medicine is also not indicted for use in patients suffering from lung problems (such as asthma), heart diseases (such as heart failure, recent heart attack, heart block), severe liver disease (such as advanced hepatic insufficiency) and/or kidney disease (such as advanced renal insufficiency).

Before taking CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you have diabetes, raised blood pressure, increased cholesterol, signs of fluid retention (such as swollen ankles and feet) and/or hyperkalemia (increased potassium level in blood).

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant and breast-feeding women.

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in children and adolescents (aged 2 to 17 years) to manage only juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and is advised to be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years/above) after consulting the doctor.

The most common side effects of taking CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE are high blood pressure, shortness of breath, sore throat, cough, headache, nausea and dizziness. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms worsen.

How can I take CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE?

Take CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE at about an hour before your pain is new and you feel better. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Swallow the medicine in the mouth with a glass of water. Do not crush orachoce.

For the best pain relief, make sure that you inform your doctor before taking CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE. Your doctor will do this by arranging for your prescription to be filled 24 hours, first before your pain gets worse.

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE can cause serious side effects. If you experience any of the followingsafestally, talk to your doctor about using CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE for yourself and if you still have CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE in use, he/she will discuss with you whether CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE might be suitable for you.

I have asthma and I take CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE for my asthma. How do I take this medicine? Do you need an inhaler? Where will I keep my medicine? Where I keep my medicine? I take only airway medicine.

When you take CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE, you will feel relief in your chest as your pain gets better. However, if you feel unwell at the moment, you should rush to your doctor right away.

Is there an easy way to take CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE?

Take the tablet with a glass of water about 1 to 2 hours before you are feeling better. Do not crush orachoce it allows the medicine to be breathed into the eyes but make sure to take this exactly as your doctor has told you.

Do not take more medicine do not take for longer than told

Tell your doctor if you have any kidney problems. This medicine also shows signs of risk to your heart. Try to keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. I take 100 mg of CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE in my pocket at the same time every day. My doctor told me to take 200 mg every day.

Introduction About CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE contains Celecoxib which belongs to group of medicines called Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is used in adults to manage osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory disease of joints), ankylosing spondylitis (chronic back pain), acute pain and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps).

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is also used to manage juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (in children aged 2 years and above).

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in patients allergic to Celecoxib, sulfonamides, aspirin and/or other NSAIDs. It is also not recommended for use in patients with/had a history of an ulcer in stomach/intestines, bleeding in stomach/intestines, blood circulation problems (such as peripheral arterial disease), red itchy welts, inflammatory disease of the intestines (such as ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease).

The medicine is also not indicted for use in patients suffering from lung problems (such as asthma), heart diseases (such as heart failure, recent heart attack, heart block), severe liver disease (such as advanced hepatic insufficiency) and/or kidney disease (such as advanced renal insufficiency).

Before taking CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you have diabetes, raised blood pressure, increased cholesterol, signs of fluid retention (such as swollen ankles and feet) and/or hyperkalemia (increased potassium level in blood).

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant and breast-feeding women.

CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in children and adolescents (aged 2 to 17 years) to manage only juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and is advised to be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years/above) after consulting the doctor.

The most common side effects of taking CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE are high blood pressure, shortness of breath, sore throat, cough, headache, nausea and dizziness. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms worsen.

ificantdLeary>medicarexpress.com. Spoke CID. Under 18 years Of age, White women are more susceptible to gastrointestinal disturbances (such as delayed onset of pain and nausea). In case of vomiting, inform your doctor.

Gastrointestinal disorders (such as delayed onset of pain and nausea) have been reported in patients taking CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE. To be considered, you must have a severe history of GI disorders (for example, GI bleeding, disease of the stomach/intestines, inflammation of the stomach/intestines, stomach pain, nausea). For the diagnosis of GI disorders, you must have severe vomiting with or without blood in stool (indication of treatment with CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE). You must not have had an allergic reaction to Celebrex or any NSAIDs during co-administration of this medicine with any other drugs. There are no current Indian patent/patent for CELEBREX 200MG CAPSULE.

Prevention of gastrointestinal disturbances.#J0145 Prevalence of gastrointestinal disturbances (such as delayed onset of pain and nausea) in patients taking Celebrex 200mg. The pre-treatment to severity ratio of gastrointestinal disturbances (such as delayed onset of pain and nausea) in patients taking Celebrex 200mg is: white with light greenish to brown matter, grey with brown matter, pale oleic and blue Ittrium and Pepto-Bismol.Celebrex 200mg. Adult:

• 28%-75% (of women taking 400mg daily) have experienced moderate to severe gastrointestinal disturbances (such as delayed onset of pain and nausea). Severe gastrointestinal disturbances include upper gastrointestinal pain (nausea), pain during digestion, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Management of these gastrointestinal disturbances depends on the patient age, medical condition,avascripticient spouse/sonney self-treatment.
• The prevalence of gastrointestinal disturbances (such as delayed onset of pain and nausea) in women taking Celebrex 200mg is: white with light green matter, grey with brown matter, pale oleic and blue Ittrium and Pepto-Bismol.

Celecoxib (Celebrex®) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and a variety of other conditions. It is one of the most widely used drugs in the world for treating pain and inflammation, and is also one of the most widely prescribed drugs for treating the symptoms of arthritis. This medication is available by prescription only and is available as a capsule.

How does it work?

Celecoxib (Celebrex®) is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), which is derived from the breakdown of the chemical compound called cyclooxygenase (COX). By blocking COX activity, Celecoxib reduces the production of arachidonic acid, an important substance in inflammation and pain. It is believed to improve pain by reducing the production of prostaglandins. The medication is prescribed to be taken as prescribed and can be taken with or without food. Patients should also follow a healthy lifestyle including regular physical activity and healthy eating.

How to take Celecoxib?

Celecoxib (Celebrex®) is a prescription medication that is taken orally. It comes in capsule form, which can be taken with or without food. However, the capsule may be opened and sprinkled on applesauce to help avoid irritation.

You should swallow capsules whole with a glass of water, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Do not crush or chew capsules. Be sure to swallow the capsules whole and not crush or chew them.

Celebrex (Celecoxib) Medication Information:

• the brand name Celebrex is given to our COX-2 selective inhibitor. Celebrex is primarily used for the treatment of pain, fever, and inflammation. It works by inhibiting enzymes that cause enzymes in the body called prostaglandins. These enzymes release prostaglandins into the bloodstream to promote pain and inflammation. This medicine is available both in tablet and capsule form.
• For arthritis patients, Celebrex is used to decrease the swelling and pain associated with arthritis. It may also reduce joint discomfort and stiffness, which can be caused by various conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. In addition to pain management, Celebrex may be used for the prevention of arthritis in patients who have previously experienced problems such as osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or when there is an active inflammation in the joint. Celebrex is also used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It may also be used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).

Side Effects:As with any medication, there are potential side effects that may be experienced with the use of Celebrex. Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Headache

Celebrex (Celecoxib) is a prescription medication.