The body contains two enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 has healthy effects, helping with blood clotting, kidney function and protection of the stomach lining, while COX-2 plays a key role in pain and inflammation.

Older NSAID-type medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, prevented both COX-1 and COX-2 from working, which sometimes resulted in unhealthy effects. Celebrex--when taken in the correct dosages--is different. It blocks only the inflammation and pain-producing COX-2 enzymes, without acting on the COX-1 enzymes.

As a result, Celebrex relieves pain without many of the side effects linked to some other NSAIDs.