What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Celecoxib and methotrexate
Celecoxib's FDA label of November 22, 2024 names methotrexate in its drug interactions section; methotrexate's label does not name celecoxib itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The celecoxib label: “Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity. CELEBREX has no effect on methotrexate pharmacokinetics.”
Check it at the source: the celecoxib FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 22, 2024, Viatris Specialty LLC); the methotrexate FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 27, 2026, Accord Healthcare Inc.).
What does the celecoxib label say about methotrexate?
Celecoxib label, drug interactionsMethotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (…). CELEBREX has no effect on methotrexate pharmacokinetics. Intervention: During concomitant use of CELEBREX and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity.
Elyxyb - Celecoxib label (SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC., November 26, 2024), drug interactionsClinical Impact; Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction). Celecoxib has no effect on methotrexate pharmacokinetics.
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 methotrexate label say about celecoxib?
Methotrexate's label does not name celecoxib itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Methotrexate label, boxed warningUnexpectedly severe (sometimes fatal) bone marrow suppression, aplastic anemia, and gastrointestinal toxicity have been reported with concomitant administration of methotrexate (usually in high dosage) along with some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Interactions(7.1) ].
Methotrexate label, drug interactionsConcomitant administration of some NSAIDs with high dose methotrexate therapy has been reported to elevate and prolong serum methotrexate levels, resulting in deaths from severe hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Methotrexate), Accord Healthcare Inc., effective May 27, 2026 (SPL set 874c7f43-a3be-4236-89cc-24c44e3c5813), 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 | Methotrexate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Migraine | Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Breast cancer |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0762 per capsule 200 mg capsule | $0.158 per tablet 2.5 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
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