Two medicines, side by side
Celecoxib vs oxycodone
Celecoxib and oxycodone are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of celecoxib since 1998 and of oxycodone since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.0762 per celecoxib 200 mg capsule and $0.0884 per oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and oxycodone an opioid agonist.
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024); the oxycodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 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 oxycodone record
Oxycodone (Oxycontin) · label of May 6, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets expose users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient's risk before prescribing and reassess regularly for these behaviors and conditions.
Used for
From the label: indicationsOxycodone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets are an opioid agonist indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 26, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0884 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Celecoxib label of November 22, 2024, Oxycodone label of May 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do celecoxib and oxycodone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and oxycodone an opioid agonist.
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.”; Oxycodone, “Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Celecoxib, “It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours.”; Oxycodone, “Apparent elimination half-life of oxycodone following the administration of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets was 3.5 to …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: celecoxib since 2014; oxycodone since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: celecoxib none; oxycodone CII.
| Celecoxib | Oxycodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Opioid Agonist |
| 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. | Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of oxycodone is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours. | Apparent elimination half-life of oxycodone following the administration of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets was 3.5 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 1998 | October 26, 1998 |
| First generic approved | May 30, 2014 | February 6, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 63 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0762 per capsule (Celecoxib 200 mg capsule) | $0.0884 per tablet (Oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 130,882 | 311,625 |
| DEA schedule | none | CII |
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) ].
Oxycodone label, warnings and precautionsRisks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to celecoxib
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions