What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Celecoxib and diflunisal
Celecoxib's FDA label of November 22, 2024 names diflunisal in its drug interactions section; diflunisal's label does not name celecoxib itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The celecoxib label: “Concomitant use of Celecoxib with other NSAIDs or salicylates increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy.”
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024, Viatris Specialty LLC); the diflunisal FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026, Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
What does the celecoxib label say about diflunisal?
Celecoxib label, drug interactionsNSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of Celecoxib with other NSAIDs or salicylates (…) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy. Intervention: The concomitant use of Celecoxib with other NSAIDs or salicylates is not recommended.
Elyxyb - Celecoxib label (SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC., November 26, 2024), drug interactionsClinical Impact; Concomitant use of celecoxib with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ()].
Source: FDA drug label (Elyxyb - Celecoxib, NDA212157), SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC., effective November 26, 2024 (SPL set c8a5de07-9f27-4a54-a885-8089f0307bd7), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (CELEBREX), NDA020998 (Upjohn), as published by Viatris Specialty LLC, effective November 22, 2024 (SPL set 2d6675e4-5859-4be2-8037-a20ce9f707aa), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the diflunisal label say about celecoxib?
Diflunisal's label does not name celecoxib itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Diflunisal label, boxed warningGastrointestinal Risk NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Diflunisal label, warningsGastrointestinal Effects – Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding and Perforation NSAIDs, including diflunisal tablets, can cause serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, which can be fatal.
Source: FDA drug label (diflunisal), Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective August 4, 2026 (SPL set 666f89b4-fd81-420a-a390-eb1cd4014f61), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Celecoxib | Diflunisal | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0762 per capsule 200 mg capsule | $1.06 per tablet 500 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once