Two medicines, side by side
Nabumetone vs celecoxib
Nabumetone and celecoxib are both labeled for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nabumetone since 1991 and of celecoxib since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.128 per nabumetone 500 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. Nabumetone's other strengths are brand-only: $31.67 per Relafen ds 1,000 mg tablet.
Check it at the source: the nabumetone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 13, 2025); the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024).
Highlights of the nabumetone record
Nabumetone (Relafen) · label of January 13, 2025
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 ]. Nabumetone tablets 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 nabumetone tablets, USP and other treatment options before deciding to use nabumetone tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). Nabumetone tablets, USP are indicated for relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 24, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.128 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
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 (Nabumetone label of January 13, 2025, Celecoxib label of November 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nabumetone and celecoxib differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Half-life, in each label's words: Nabumetone, “7% –unidentified minor metabolites 34% Total % Dose: 73% Following oral administration of dosages of 1,000 mg to 2,000 …”; Celecoxib, “It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: nabumetone since 2000; celecoxib since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nabumetone | Celecoxib | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | 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) | 7% –unidentified minor metabolites 34% Total % Dose: 73% Following oral administration of dosages of 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg to steady state, the mean plasma clearance of 6MNA is 20 to 30 mL/min and the elimination … | It is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 with a half-life of approximately 11 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 24, 1991 | December 31, 1998 |
| First generic approved | May 26, 2000 | May 30, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 28 labelers | 63 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.128 per tablet (Nabumetone 500 mg tablet) | $0.0762 per capsule (Celecoxib 200 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 6,395 | 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)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Nabumetone label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of nabumetone tablets and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of 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 nabumetone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions