What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Celecoxib and meloxicam
Celecoxib's FDA label of November 22, 2024 names meloxicam in its drug interactions section; meloxicam's label does not name celecoxib itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The celecoxib label: “Concomitant use of CELEBREX and pemetrexed may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity.”
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024, Viatris Specialty LLC); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026, PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
What does the celecoxib label say about meloxicam?
Celecoxib label, drug interactionsPemetrexed Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of CELEBREX and pemetrexed may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity (…). … absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration.
Elyxyb - Celecoxib label (SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC., November 26, 2024), drug interactionsIntervention; During concomitant use of ELYXYB and pemetrexed, in patients with renal impairment whose creatinine clearance ranges from 45 to 79 mL/min, monitor for myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity. NSAIDs with short elimination half-lives (e.g., diclofenac, indomethacin) should be avoided for a period of two days before, the day of, and two days following administration of pemetrexed. In the absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration.
Source: FDA drug label (Vyscoxa, NDA211759), Carwin Pharmaceutical Associates, LLC, effective July 31, 2025 (SPL set 5094d47e-f791-4190-9397-b7500143a74d), via openFDA
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 meloxicam label say about celecoxib?
Meloxicam's label does not name celecoxib itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Meloxicam 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.
Meloxicam label, boxed warningThis risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use (5.1) Meloxicam tablets are 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.
Source: FDA drug label (MELOXICAM), PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective January 29, 2026 (SPL set 19c13159-71f1-2427-e063-6394a90ad44e), 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 | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0762 per capsule 200 mg capsule | $0.0166 per tablet 7.5 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