Two medicines, side by side
Celecoxib vs diclofenac
Celecoxib and diclofenac are both labeled for migraine, pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of celecoxib since 1998 and of diclofenac since 1988. Pharmacies paid $0.0762 per celecoxib 200 mg capsule and $0.0619 per diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet (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 diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 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 diclofenac record
Diclofenac (Voltaren) · label of February 11, 2025
Used for
From the label: indications• for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas: o hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas) o foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas) • this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 28, 1988
- Generic labelers
- 149 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0619 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Celecoxib label of November 22, 2024, Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do celecoxib and diclofenac differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: celecoxib since 2014; diclofenac since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Celecoxib | Diclofenac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| 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 | July 28, 1988 |
| First generic approved | May 30, 2014 | June 29, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 63 labelers | 149 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0762 per capsule (Celecoxib 200 mg capsule) | $0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -25% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 130,882 | 158,675 |
| 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, warnings and precautionsIn the CLASS study [see Clinical Studies (14.7) ], the Kaplan-Meier cumulative rates at 9 months of peripheral edema in patients on CELEBREX 400 mg twice daily (4-fold and 2-fold the recommended OA and RA doses, respectively), ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily and diclofenac 75 mg twice daily were 4.5%, 6.9% and 4.7%, respectively.
Celecoxib label, warnings and precautionsIn the CLASS study [ see Clinical Studies (14.6) ], the Kaplan-Meier cumulative rates at 9 months of peripheral edema in patients on celecoxib 400 mg twice daily (4-fold and 2-fold the recommended OA and RA doses, respectively), ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily and diclofenac 75 mg twice daily were 4.5%, 6.9% and 4.7%, respectively.
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) ].
Diclofenac label, drug interactions (prescription label)The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of diclofenac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to celecoxib
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions