Two medicines, side by side
Celecoxib vs acetaminophen
Celecoxib and acetaminophen are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of celecoxib since 1998 and of acetaminophen since 1968. Pharmacies paid $0.0762 per celecoxib 200 mg capsule and $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024); the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024).
Highlights of the celecoxib record
Celecoxib (Celebrex) · label of November 22, 2024
RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in the treatment and may increase with duration of use [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCELEBREX is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for: • Osteoarthritis (OA) ( 1.1 ) • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) ( 1.2 ) • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) in patients 2 years and older ( 1.3 ) • Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) ( 1.4 ) • Acute Pain (AP) ( 1.5 ) • Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD) ( 1.6 ) 1.1 Osteoarthritis (OA) For the management of the signs and symptoms of OA [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. 1.2 […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 63 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0762 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Celecoxib label of November 22, 2024, Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do celecoxib and acetaminophen differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: celecoxib since 2014; acetaminophen since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Celecoxib | Acetaminophen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | n/a |
| How it works (label) | Celecoxib has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of CELEBREX is believed to be due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, primarily via inhibition of COX-2. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 1998 | November 7, 1968 |
| First generic approved | May 30, 2014 | December 1, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 63 labelers | 89 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0762 per capsule (Celecoxib 200 mg capsule) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 130,882 | 445,075 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Celecoxib label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of Celecoxib with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to celecoxib
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions