Two medicines, side by side
Celecoxib vs etodolac
Celecoxib and etodolac are both labeled for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of celecoxib since 1998 and of etodolac since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0762 per celecoxib 200 mg capsule and $0.262 per etodolac 400 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Celecoxib, “The mechanism of action of CELEBREX is believed to be due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, primarily via inhibition of COX-2.”; Etodolac, “of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.”
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024); the etodolac FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 16, 2026).
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 etodolac record
Etodolac (Lodine) · label of July 16, 2026
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 treatment and may increase with duration of use [see Warnings and Precautions ]. Etodolac tablets, 400 mg and 500 mg are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Contraindications and Warnings ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of etodolac tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use etodolac tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.262 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Celecoxib label of November 22, 2024, Etodolac label of July 16, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do celecoxib and etodolac differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Celecoxib, “The mechanism of action of CELEBREX is believed to be due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, primarily via inhibition of COX-2.”; Etodolac, “of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.”
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Half-life, in each label's words: Celecoxib, “It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours.”; Etodolac, “The terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of etodolac is 6.4 hours (22% CV).”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: celecoxib since 2014; etodolac since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Celecoxib | Etodolac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis |
| 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. | of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition. Etodolac is a racemic mixture of [-]R- and [+]S-etodolac. |
| Half-life (label) | It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours. | The terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of etodolac is 6.4 hours (22% CV). |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 1998 | January 31, 1991 |
| First generic approved | May 30, 2014 | February 28, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 63 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0762 per capsule (Celecoxib 200 mg capsule) | $0.262 per tablet (Etodolac 400 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | +0.9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 130,882 | 5,958 |
| 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) ].
Etodolac label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of etodolac 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