Celebrex vs. Meloxicam
See how Celebrex and Meloxicam compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Both Celebrex and meloxicam carry the same FDA boxed warnings for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risk, so neither NSAID is automatically the safer choice.
Celebrex is FDA-approved for a wider range of uses, including acute pain and menstrual cramps, while meloxicam's approved uses are limited to arthritis conditions.
Meloxicam is dosed once a day for every approved use, while Celebrex may require twice-daily dosing depending on the condition being treated.
Celebrex vs. Meloxicam Drug Summary
Celebrex
Celebrex (celecoxib) is a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions. It comes as an oral capsule, taken once or twice a day depending on what it's treating.
Meloxicam
Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children 2 and older. It comes in several oral forms and is taken once a day.
Celebrex vs. Meloxicam Side Effects
Celebrex
Meloxicam
Celebrex vs. Meloxicam Dosage
Celebrex
Meloxicam
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 200 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | Up to 400 mg/day | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 7.5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 0.125 mg/kg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Celebrex
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 200 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | Up to 400 mg/day | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Meloxicam
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 7.5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 0.125 mg/kg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Celebrex vs. Meloxicam Indications
Celebrex
Celebrex is FDA-approved to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness from several inflammatory and pain conditions in adults, and it's also approved for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children 2 and older. Its approval list is broader than most other prescription NSAIDs, covering both chronic arthritis and short-term acute pain.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (2+)
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
Acute pain and menstrual cramps
Meloxicam
Meloxicam is FDA-approved to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children 2 and older. Doctors sometimes prescribe it off-label for ankylosing spondylitis or general musculoskeletal pain, though it isn't FDA-approved for those uses.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (2+)
Ankylosing spondylitis (off-label)
General musculoskeletal pain (off-label)
Celebrex vs. Meloxicam Pros and Cons
Celebrex
Celecoxib is a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, which is linked to a somewhat lower rate of stomach ulcers than older nonselective NSAIDs in trials, though the FDA still requires the same boxed warnings for heart and GI risk. It covers more approved uses than meloxicam, but rheumatoid arthritis dosing is split into two doses a day.
Pros
FDA-approved for acute pain and menstrual cramps, uses meloxicam doesn't have
Highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, linked to fewer GI ulcers in trials than older NSAIDs
Also FDA-approved as an add-on for familial adenomatous polyposis
Cons
Requires twice-daily dosing for rheumatoid arthritis, unlike meloxicam's once-a-day schedule
Only available as a capsule, with no liquid or dissolving-tablet option
Contains a sulfonamide group, so it's avoided in people with sulfa drug allergies
Meloxicam
Meloxicam is only preferentially COX-2 selective, so its GI risk profile sits between celecoxib and older nonselective NSAIDs, and it carries the same FDA boxed warnings for heart and GI risk. It's dosed once a day for every approved use and comes in several forms for people who have trouble swallowing capsules.
Pros
Once-daily dosing for every approved condition, with no split doses
Available as a tablet, dissolving tablet, capsule, or oral liquid
Weight-based liquid option makes dosing easier for children with juvenile arthritis
Cons
Not FDA-approved for acute pain or menstrual cramps, unlike Celebrex
Less COX-2 selective than celecoxib, which may mean less reduction in GI risk
No FDA-approved use for adjunct polyp prevention
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