Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics: Celecoxib is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, peak plasma concentrations being achieved after about 3 hours. Protein binding is about 97%. Celecoxib is metabolised in the liver mainly by the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP2C9; the three identified metabolites are inactive as inhibitors of COX-1 or COX-2 enzymes. It is eliminated mainly as metabolites in the faeces and urine; less than 3% is recovered as unchanged drug. The effective terminal half-life is about 11 hours. Celecoxib is distributed into breast milk. The pharmacokinetics of celecoxib may vary in different ethnic groups; it has been stated that the area under the curve is elevated in patients of Afro-Caribbean origin, although any clinical significance is unclear.
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