Two medicines, side by side
Celecoxib vs aspirin
Celecoxib and aspirin are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of celecoxib since 1998 and of aspirin since 1965. Pharmacies paid $0.0762 per celecoxib 200 mg capsule and $0.0142 per aspirin ec 81 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the celecoxib label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024); the aspirin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025).
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 aspirin record
Aspirin (Measurin) · label of September 9, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves headache toothache pain and fever of colds muscle pain menstrual pain minor pain of arthritis
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 25, 1965
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0142 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Celecoxib label of November 22, 2024, Aspirin label of September 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do celecoxib and aspirin differ on the record?
Only the celecoxib label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: celecoxib since 2014; aspirin none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Celecoxib | Aspirin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Pain, Cough and cold, Fever |
| 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 | June 25, 1965 |
| First generic approved | May 30, 2014 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 63 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0762 per capsule (Celecoxib 200 mg capsule) | $0.0142 per tablet (Aspirin ec 81 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 130,882 | 534,208 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Celecoxib label, contraindicationsHistory of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Celecoxib label, warnings and precautionsExacerbation of Asthma Related to Aspirin Sensitivity: CELEBREX is contraindicated in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
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