What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Celecoxib and lithium
Celecoxib's FDA label of November 22, 2024 names lithium in its drug interactions section; lithium's label does not name celecoxib itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The celecoxib label: “NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. …”
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024, Viatris Specialty LLC); the lithium FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 23, 2025, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA).
What does the celecoxib label say about lithium?
Celecoxib label, drug interactionsClinical Impact: NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. This effect has been attributed to NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of CELEBREX and lithium, monitor patients for signs of lithium toxicity.
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 lithium label say about celecoxib?
Lithium's label does not name celecoxib itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Lithium label, drug interactionsDiuretics, NSAID, renin-angiotensin system antagonists, or metronidazole may increase lithium serum concentrations.
Lithium label, drug interactionsReduce lithium dosage based on serum lithium concentration and clinical response [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warning and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)
Source: FDA drug label (Lithium Carbonate), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA, effective December 23, 2025 (SPL set 63b3790f-a9b5-47f4-bae1-ddf8b43c13c1), 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 | Lithium | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Bipolar disorder |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0762 per capsule 200 mg capsule | $0.104 per capsule 300 mg capsule |
| 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