What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Celecoxib and ibuprofen
Celecoxib's FDA label of November 22, 2024 names ibuprofen in its warnings and precautions section; ibuprofen's label does not name celecoxib itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The celecoxib label: “A 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 …”
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024, Viatris Specialty LLC); the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026, Savings Distributors LLC).
What does the celecoxib label say about ibuprofen?
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.
Elyxyb - Celecoxib label (SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC., November 26, 2024), 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 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 ibuprofen label say about celecoxib?
Ibuprofen's label does not name celecoxib itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Ibuprofen label, boxed warningThis risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. ( 5.1 ) CALDOLOR is contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. ( 4 , 5.1 ) NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Ibuprofen label, boxed warningGastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration and Perforation NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Source: FDA drug label (Motrin IB), NDA019012 (Kenvue Brands), as published by Savings Distributors LLC, effective January 1, 2026 (SPL set 56846774-8413-c306-e063-6394a90a2be8), 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 | Ibuprofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0762 per capsule 200 mg capsule | $0.0573 per tablet 800 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