Celebrex (Celecoxib) Dosages for Adults and Children: Your GoodRx Guide

When you’re in pain, you may reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) for relief. But, in some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a prescription-only product instead. Celebrex (celecoxib) is one option they may suggest.

Some people take Celebrex every day to manage their pain, while others only take it as needed. Here, we cover Celebrex dosages, what happens if you think you’ve taken too much of the medication, and more.

What’s the typical Celebrex dosage for adults?

Celebrex is approved to treat different types of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual cramps in adults. It’s also used to treat acute, or sudden, pain.

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Usually, Celebrex is taken once or twice a day. But some people may only take it as needed, as mentioned. If your healthcare provider prescribes Celebrex on an as-needed basis, you should only take a dose if you need it for pain or inflammation.

You can take Celebrex with or without food. However, it’s recommended to take higher dosages (e.g., 400 mg twice daily) to help your body absorb the medication better. And if you’re experiencing stomach-related side effects, taking the medication with food may help.

Depending on how you respond to Celebrex, your healthcare provider may recommend increasing or decreasing your dosage. This could be related to how well the medication is working or safety concerns. But, whatever the reason, it’s important to follow your provider’s instructions, which may be different from what’s described here.

The typical Celebrex dosage for adults depends on what the medication is being taken for. Different conditions may require different dosages, as described below.

Osteoarthritis

The recommended Celebrex dosage for adults treating osteoarthritis is 200 mg once daily. This can also be taken as two separate doses, or 100 mg twice a day.

Rheumatoid arthritis

For rheumatoid arthritis, the recommended Celebrex dosage for adults is 100 mg to 200 mg twice a day.

Ankylosing spondylitis

For adults, the recommended Celebrex dosage for ankylosing spondylitis is 200 mg per day. This dosage can be taken as a single dose of 200 mg or divided into two 100 mg doses.

If Celebrex doesn’t seem to be helping your pain after about 6 weeks, your healthcare provider may suggest increasing the dosage to 400 mg total per day. If that dosage isn’t effective after another 6 weeks, you may need to switch to a different medication.

Menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea)

For adults, the recommended Celebrex dosage for menstrual cramps is 400 mg initially. If needed, an extra 200 mg dose can be taken on the first day. After the first day, the dosage is 200 mg twice daily as needed.

Acute pain

The Celebrex dosage for acute pain is an initial dose of 400 mg, plus another 200 mg dose if needed on the first day. After that, the dosage is 200 mg twice daily as needed.

What’s the typical Celebrex dosage for children?

Celebrex is approved to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 and older. If your child has trouble swallowing Celebrex, you can break open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on a spoonful of applesauce. Ideally, the dose should be taken right away with water. But if needed, you can store the mixed contents for up to 6 hours in the refrigerator.

The typical Celebrex dosage for children is based on their body weight as follows:

• 10 kg to 25 kg (22 lbs to 55 lbs): 50 mg twice a day

• Above 25 kg (greater than 55 lbs): 100 mg twice daily

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

People with certain medication conditions may have to have their Celebrex dosage adjusted. This includes those with liver or kidney problems. Certain genetic factors may also affect your Celebrex dosage.

Liver problems

If you have what’s considered to be moderate liver problems, the recommended Celebrex dosage is half of what it would usually be. Your healthcare provider will take this into account when prescribing Celebrex for you. But it’s a good idea to let them know, or remind them, that you have liver problems.

People who have severe liver problems should avoid taking Celebrex. Otherwise, the medication could build up in the body and worsen side effects or potentially cause severe ones.

Kidney problems

Celebrex can cause damage to the kidneys. So, in general, it’s recommended to take the lowest effective dosage for the shortest time possible to lessen this risk. If you have certain risk factors, your healthcare provider may want to monitor your kidney function during treatment with Celebrex.

If you already have kidney problems, you may have a higher risk of experiencing kidney damage from Celecoxib. So your healthcare provider might suggest taking another medication that’s easier on the kidneys. And it’s recommended to avoid Celebrex if you have advanced kidney disease.

Certain genetic factors

In some cases, your genes can affect how you metabolize (break down) medications. Although the practice isn’t widespread, some healthcare providers may use pharmacogenomics to determine how you’ll respond to a medication. This involves a specific type of test that looks at your DNA.

Because of genetics, some people don’t metabolize Celebrex as well as others. If this is the case for you, your healthcare provider may suggest you take half of the lowest recommended Celebrex dosage to start. For children who don’t metabolize Celebrex well, a different medication may be recommended altogether.

What happens if you miss a dose of Celebrex?

If you forget to take a dose of Celebrex, you may be able to just take it as soon as you remember. Though, if it’s close to your next scheduled dose, you should skip the missed dose and take your usual one at the regular time. Don’t take an extra or double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you’re taking Celebrex on an as-needed basis, rather than on a schedule, missing a dose may not be much of an issue. You simply take a dose of the medication when you need it, according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.

What should you do if you take too much Celebrex?

If you accidentally take an extra Celebrex dose, it’s likely not going to cause serious problems.

But in cases of overdose — when someone takes a large amount of Celebrex — the effects can be more serious. The symptoms might include severe drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, and stomach pain. A Celebrex overdose is a medical emergency and may need to be treated in the hospital.

If you or someone you know has taken a large amount of Celebrex, get medical help right away or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.

How to save on Celebrex

There are ways to save on Celebrex, which is also available as a lower-cost generic called celecoxib. With a free GoodRx discount, you could save up to over 90% off the average retail price of generic Celebrex. The price may be as low as $11.21 at certain pharmacies.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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