Celecoxib oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes celecoxib oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for celecoxib. If you want to know more about celecoxib oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Celecoxib oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Celebrex.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of serious heart and blood vessel problems and serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.

Form and strengths of celecoxib

Celecoxib oral capsule comes as follows:

• Form: capsule that you swallow
• Strengths: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg

Dosage of celecoxib

This article describes the recommended dosages for celecoxib oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of celecoxib oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of celecoxib in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of celecoxib oral capsule. But if you take it for pain, your starting dosage might be higher. Your doctor will adjust your dosage over time until the right one is reached. Ultimately, they’ll prescribe the smallest dosage of celecoxib oral capsule that gives the desired outcome.

Celecoxib oral capsule treats certain types of arthritis and pain. The dosages for these conditions are below.

Osteoarthritis

• Dosage: 200 milligrams (mg) once per day
• Alternate dosage: 100 mg twice per day

Rheumatoid arthritis

• Dosage: 200 mg twice per day
• Alternate dosage: 100 mg twice per day

Certain type of arthritis affecting the spine

Doctors may refer to the specific condition as ankylosing spondylitis.

• Dosage: 200 mg once per day
• Alternate dosage: 100 mg twice per day
• Maximum dosage: 400 mg once per day or 200 mg twice per day*

* If you don’t notice improvement with your dosage after 6 weeks, your doctor may prescribe 400 mg per day. If you don’t notice improvement after another 6 weeks, your doctor may choose a different medication.

Short-term pain

Examples of short-term pain are gout and back pain.

• Day 1: 400 mg once per day and then 200 mg if needed
• Day 2 and after: 200 mg twice per day as needed

Certain type of painful menstruation

• Day 1: 400 mg once per day and then 200 mg if needed
• Day 2 and after: 200 mg twice per day as needed

Dosages of celecoxib in children

Doctors prescribe celecoxib to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children ages 2 years and older. This condition is sometimes called juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Dosages for children are based on your child’s weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). The following table shows the dosages:

For example, a doctor might prescribe celecoxib for a 7-year-old child who weighs 20 kg (about 44 lb). The child’s dosage would be 50 mg twice per day.

Dosage adjustments for celecoxib

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of celecoxib oral capsule based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and its severity
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• your liver function
• how fast your body processes the drug

Missed dose of celecoxib

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of celecoxib oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of celecoxib oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about celecoxib oral capsule and its dosage.

Can I take celecoxib 400 mg twice per day?

This is not a recommended dosage. Doctors typically prescribe a dosage of 400 mg per day for short-term pain. You take this as 200 mg twice per day as needed. They might also prescribe the same dosage for a certain type of painful menstruation. But your doctor will prescribe the dosage that best meets your needs.

You can learn more about side effect risks with high doses of celecoxib by asking your doctor.

Is celecoxib taken long term?

Yes, doctors sometimes prescribe celecoxib oral capsule as a long-term treatment. They’ll consider risks and benefits for you. And if you both determine it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take celecoxib oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

How celecoxib is taken

You’ll swallow celecoxib oral capsule once or twice per day with or without food. But if celecoxib upsets your stomach, taking it with food may help.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. Doing so helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

Do not crush or chew the capsule. If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. You can also empty the capsule contents onto a teaspoon of applesauce. Take the applesauce and capsule contents right away, and then drink a glass of water.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Celecoxib coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for celecoxib when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of celecoxib

It’s important that you do not take more celecoxib oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of celecoxib overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• vomiting
• sluggishness
• drowsiness
• nausea
• pain below the ribs
• bleeding in the digestive system

Rare symptoms of an overdose can include:

• high blood pressure
• slowed breathing
• coma

What to do if you take too much celecoxib

If you think you’ve taken too much celecoxib, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for celecoxib oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of celecoxib oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take celecoxib oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will my celecoxib oral capsule dosage change if I experience side effects?
• Should I take celecoxib oral capsule once or twice per day?
• How can I reduce side effects from my celecoxib oral capsule dosage?
• How long can I expect to keep taking my celecoxib oral capsule dosage for rheumatoid arthritis?

Boxed warnings for celecoxib

This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of serious heart and blood vessel problems and serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems. Celecoxib is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Drugs in that group raise your risk of stroke and heart attack. Your risk is higher if you take celecoxib long term. The risk is also higher if you already have heart and blood vessel problems.

Your doctor will not prescribe celecoxib if you had or will have certain heart bypass surgery.

If you take celecoxib, watch for heart and blood vessel problems. If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical care immediately:

• swelling of your throat or face
• slurred speech
• trouble breathing
• chest pain
• weakness on one side of your body

If you have any of the following, let your doctor know:

• tiredness or weakness
• weight gain
• fever with skin rash
• swelling of hands, feet, arms, or legs
• flu-like symptoms
• itchy rash
• yellowing of the eyes
• skin changes, such as a rash or discolored skin

Talk with your doctor about things to watch for during celecoxib treatment. They can tell you what might indicate a new heart or blood vessel problem.

Risk of serious digestive problems. If you take celecoxib, you have a higher risk of serious problems in your digestive system. Celecoxib is part of a group of drugs called NSAIDs. All drugs in this group have a risk of these digestive problems:

• ulcers
• tears in the lining of your digestive system
• bleeding from an ulcer or tear

Your risk of digestive problems may be higher if you take celecoxib long term. It also increases from drinking alcohol, smoking, or having blood clotting problems. The risk also increases in people age 65 years or older.

New symptoms during celecoxib treatment that might indicate a digestive problem include:

• stomach pain
• vomiting blood
• vomiting what looks like coffee grounds
• stool that has blood
• stool that looks black and sticky

To learn more about these warnings, you can talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.