Two medicines, side by side
Ibuprofen vs celecoxib
Ibuprofen and celecoxib are both labeled for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ibuprofen since 1974 and of celecoxib since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.0573 per ibuprofen 800 mg tablet and $0.0762 per celecoxib 200 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026); the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024).
Highlights of the ibuprofen record
Ibuprofen (Advil) · label of January 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications■ temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: ■ headache ■ muscular aches ■ minor pain of arthritis ■ toothache ■ backache ■ the common cold ■ menstrual cramps ■ temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 19, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 245 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0573 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 40
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026, Celecoxib label of November 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ibuprofen and celecoxib 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: ibuprofen since 1985; celecoxib since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ibuprofen | Celecoxib | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | 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. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 19, 1974 | December 31, 1998 |
| First generic approved | February 8, 1985 | May 30, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 245 labelers | 63 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) | $0.0762 per capsule (Celecoxib 200 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 40 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 270,516 | 130,882 |
| 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 precautionsA randomized controlled trial entitled the Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety vs. Ibuprofen Or Naproxen (PRECISION) was conducted to assess the relative cardiovascular thrombotic risk of a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, compared to the non-selective NSAIDs naproxen and ibuprofen.
Celecoxib label, warnings and precautionsIn a clinical study, the cumulative rates at 9 months of peripheral edema in patients on celecoxib capsules 400 mg twice daily, 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?
Ibuprofen label, drug interactions (prescription label)The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of ibuprofen and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential for increased adverse effects.
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 ibuprofen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions