Celecoxib
Pronunciation: (SELL-eh-brex) (sel-eh-COX-ib).
- Generic name
- celecoxib
- Brand names
- Celebrex, Celact, Celepra, Cobix, Celcox
- Drug class
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), Selective COX-2 Inhibitor
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What celecoxib is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how celecoxib works
Celecoxib selectively inhibits the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which is responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in pain, inflammation, and fever. By sparing COX-1, celecoxib reduces the risk of gastrointestinal mucosal injury commonly seen with non-selective NSAIDs. (1)
What celecoxib is used for
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (2)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (2)
Acute Pain
Acute Pain (2)
Before taking celecoxib
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to celecoxib, sulfonamides, or NSAIDs. (Contraindication) (2)
- history of asthma, urticaria, or allergic reactions to NSAIDs. (Contraindication) (2)
- perioperative pain in CABG surgery. (Contraindication) (2)
- active GI bleeding or ulcer. (Contraindication) (2)
- severe hepatic impairment. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take celecoxib
- General Instructions: Take Celebrex exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more or less than directed, and do not take it for longer than recommended.. Adult Dosing: For osteoarthritis: 200 mg once daily or 100 mg twice daily. For rheumatoid arthritis: 100–200 mg twice daily. For acute pain or dysmenorrhea: 400 mg initially, then 200 mg if needed on the first day, followed by 200 mg twice daily as needed.. Pediatric Dosing: For juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children aged 2 years and older: 50–100 mg twice daily, depending on weight. Pediatric dosing should always be determined by a healthcare professional.. Administration: Celebrex capsules can be taken with or without food. Taking with food may help reduce stomach upset. Swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water.. When To Stop: If you develop signs of an allergic reaction, severe skin rash, chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, seek medical attention promptly (call emergency services for chest pain, shortness of breath, or severe bleeding); let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop Celebrex.. Storage: Store at room temperature (20–25°C/68–77°F), away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
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 resume your regular schedule. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one.
Overdose
In case of overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call your local poison control center immediately. Symptoms may include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, or seizures. Supportive care and symptomatic treatment are recommended. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional. The most common adverse reactions below are reported incidences (≥2%) from controlled arthritis clinical trials in the FDA prescribing information, not from the internal clinician record.
Headache
Incidence: 15.8% in controlled arthritis trials
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Incidence: 8.8% in controlled arthritis trials
Upper respiratory tract infection
Incidence: 8.1% in controlled arthritis trials
Diarrhea
Incidence: 5.6% in controlled arthritis trials
Sinusitis
Incidence: 5.0% in controlled arthritis trials
Abdominal pain
Incidence: 4.1% in controlled arthritis trials
Nausea
Incidence: 3.5% in controlled arthritis trials
Pharyngitis
Incidence: 2.3% in controlled arthritis trials
Chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side of the body, or slurred speech (possible heart attack or stroke)
Incidence: Rare but serious — Boxed Warning
Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or severe stomach pain (possible GI bleeding)
Incidence: Rare but serious — Boxed Warning
Skin rash, blistering, or peeling skin (possible serious skin reaction)
Incidence: Rare but serious
Serious warnings
FDA BOXED WARNING — serious
Symptoms: FDA BOXED WARNING: Celebrex (celecoxib), like other NSAIDs, may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal; this risk can occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. Celebrex, like other NSAIDs, also causes an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal and can occur at any time during use, without warning symptoms. Celebrex is contraindicated for use immediately before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Use with caution in patients with kidney or liver impairment — serious
Symptoms: Use with caution in patients with kidney or liver impairment. May cause serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal and can occur without warning. If a skin rash or any sign of hypersensitivity appears, seek medical advice promptly; let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop Celebrex.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to celecoxib, sulfonamides, or NSAIDs; history of asthma, urticaria, or allergic reactions to NSAIDs; perioperative pain in CABG surgery; active GI bleeding or ulcer; and severe hepatic impairment. Use with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, renal or hepatic impairment, and in the elderly.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Celebrex may interact with other medications, including anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), ACE inhibitors, diuretics, lithium, fluconazole, and other NSAIDs. These interactions can increase the risk of side effects or reduce the effectiveness of either medication. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements you are taking. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
The FDA recommends avoiding NSAIDs, including Celebrex, at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy because of a rare but serious risk of fetal kidney problems that can lead to low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios); if use between 20 and 30 weeks is judged medically necessary, it should be limited to the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Celebrex should be avoided starting at 30 weeks of pregnancy because of the additional risk of premature closure of a fetal blood vessel (the ductus arteriosus). Discuss any use during pregnancy with your healthcare provider. (2)
Breastfeeding
Limited published data show low levels of Celebrex in breast milk, with estimated infant exposure under 1% of the pediatric therapeutic dose; caution is still advised when Celebrex is used by a breastfeeding parent. Discuss use with your healthcare provider. (2)
Children
Frequency: Not recommended for pediatric use. Weight Based: Safety not established in children. Max Daily Dose: Not recommended for pediatric use. Max Single Dose: Not recommended for pediatric use. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children (2)
Renal_impairment
Renal: Celebrex is not recommended in patients with severe renal insufficiency; close monitoring is advised if it must be used in advanced kidney disease. Hepatic: the daily recommended dose should be reduced by about 50% in moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B); use in severe hepatic impairment is not recommended. (2)
Hepatic_impairment
Renal: Celebrex is not recommended in patients with severe renal insufficiency; close monitoring is advised if it must be used in advanced kidney disease. Hepatic: the daily recommended dose should be reduced by about 50% in moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B); use in severe hepatic impairment is not recommended. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
Store at room temperature (20-25°C/68-77°F), away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Osteoarthritis
Dose summary: Osteoarthritis: 200 mg once daily or 100 mg twice daily; Rheumatoid Arthritis: 100-200 mg twice daily; Acute Pain: 400 mg initially, followed by 200 mg if needed on the first day, then 200 mg twice daily as needed.
Renal context: Not recommended in patients with severe renal insufficiency; close monitoring advised if used in advanced renal disease. No specific dose-reduction schedule is established for mild-to-moderate renal impairment; use general caution and clinician guidance. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
What conditions does Celebrex treat?
Celebrex is used to treat pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute pain, and menstrual pain. It is also used to reduce polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis.
Is Celebrex safer for the stomach than other NSAIDs?
Celebrex is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, which may reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding compared to traditional NSAIDs, but it can still cause gastrointestinal side effects.
Can I take Celebrex if I have a sulfa allergy?
Celebrex contains a sulfonamide group and should generally be avoided in patients with known sulfa allergies.
How long does it take for Celebrex to work?
Pain relief may begin within a few hours, but full anti-inflammatory effects may take several days of regular use.
Can I take Celebrex during pregnancy?
The FDA recommends avoiding Celebrex at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy because of a risk of fetal kidney problems, and it should be avoided from 30 weeks onward because of an additional risk to a fetal blood vessel. Discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
What should I do if I develop side effects while taking Celebrex?
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects. Seek immediate medical attention for serious symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Can Celebrex be taken with other pain medications?
Celebrex should not be taken with other NSAIDs unless directed by your doctor. It may be used with acetaminophen for additional pain relief, but always consult your healthcare provider first.
What happens if I take too much Celebrex (celecoxib)?
Taking too much Celebrex (celecoxib) can lead to symptoms such as drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. In severe cases, it may cause kidney problems or gastrointestinal bleeding. If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate emergency medical attention or contact a poison control center right away.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Celebrex (celecoxib)?
It is generally advisable to limit or avoid alcohol consumption while taking Celebrex (celecoxib). Both alcohol and NSAIDs like celecoxib can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the risk of stomach upset, ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Discuss your alcohol intake with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Is Celebrex (celecoxib) safe during pregnancy?
Celebrex is not considered safe for routine use in pregnancy. Current FDA guidance recommends avoiding it at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy (risk of fetal kidney problems and low amniotic fluid) and avoiding it entirely from 30 weeks onward (risk of premature closure of a fetal blood vessel). Always discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
What is the mechanism of action of celecoxib?
Celecoxib selectively inhibits the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which is responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in pain, inflammation, and fever. By sparing COX-1, celecoxib reduces the risk of gastrointestinal mucosal injury commonly seen with non-selective NSAIDs. (1)
What is the generic name of Celecoxib?
The generic name is celecoxib. It is sold under brand names including Celebrex, Celact, Celepra, Cobix, Celcox.
What class of drug is celecoxib?
Celecoxib is classed as: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), Selective COX-2 Inhibitor.
References
- MedGuideGlobal Clinician-Authored Medicine Record for Celebrex (celecoxib)MedGuideGlobal · Internal (global clinician-authored record) · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- CELEBREX (celecoxib) capsules – full prescribing information (DailyMed)U.S. National Library of Medicine / FDA · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 2
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA recommends avoiding use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because they can result in low amniotic fluidU.S. Food and Drug Administration · United States · dated 2020-10-15 · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 3
- CELECOXIB CAPSULE [A-S MEDICATION SOLUTIONS] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- Celecoxib — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
- CELECOXIB — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA204776)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 6
- celecoxib — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 140587)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 7
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient celecoxib names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- CELEBREX100 mg, 400 mg, 50 mg, 200 mg · viatris specialty llc
- VYSCOXA10 mg/mL · carwin pharmaceutical associates, llc
- ELYXYB - celecoxib120 mg/4.8mL · scilex pharmaceuticals inc.
Canada
- CELEBREX
- RIVA-CELECOX