Celebrex (celecoxib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following in adults:

In addition, Celebrex is FDA-approved to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children ages 2 years and older.

Celebrex comes as an oral capsule. It belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Celebrex is available in generic form as the drug celecoxib.

For information about the dosage of Celebrex, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Celebrex, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Celebrex provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Celebrex, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Before you start treatment with Celebrex, your doctor will talk with you about the dosage that’s right for you.

Celebrex form

Celebrex comes as an oral capsule.

Celebrex strengths

Celebrex is available in the following strengths: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosing schedule to fit your needs.

The maximum dose of Celebrex depends on the condition being treated. In general, the highest dosage of Celebrex that doctors prescribe is 400 mg per day. The typical dosages of Celebrex are described below.

Dosage for acute pain, such as back pain

For acute pain, such as back pain, the first dose of Celebrex is typically 400 mg. Your doctor may recommend taking an additional 200 mg on your first day of treatment if you need it. After the first day, the usual dosage is 200 mg twice per day, if needed.

Dosage for osteoarthritis

The recommended dosage of Celebrex for osteoarthritis is 200 mg per day. This can be taken as 200 mg once per day or 100 mg twice per day.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis

The recommended dosage of Celebrex for rheumatoid arthritis is 100 mg to 200 mg twice per day.

Dosage for ankylosing spondylitis

For ankylosing spondylitis (AS), your doctor will likely recommend a Celebrex dosage of 200 mg per day. This can be taken as 200 mg once per day or 100 mg twice per day.

If your AS symptoms don’t ease after 6 weeks of treatment, your doctor may increase your dosage to 400 mg once per day.

If your symptoms don’t ease after another 6 weeks, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option.

Dosage for period pain and menstrual cramps

For dysmenorrhea (period pain and menstrual cramps), the first dose of Celebrex is typically 400 mg. Your doctor may recommend taking an additional 200 mg on your first day of treatment if you need it. After the first day, the usual dosage is 200 mg twice per day, if needed.

Children’s dosage

Celebrex is approved to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in children ages 2 years and older. This dosage is described below.

Dosage for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

The recommended dosage of Celebrex for JRA depends on your child’s body weight. The doses are based on kilograms (kg). 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).

For children weighing 10 kg to 25 kg (about 22 lb to 55 lb), the usual dosage is 50 mg twice per day.

For children weighing more than 25 kg (about 55 lb), the usual dosage is 100 mg twice per day.

Long-term treatment

Celebrex may be used as a long-term treatment. For example, if you take Celebrex for conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you’ll likely take the drug long term. If you take the drug for acute pain or period pain and menstrual cramps, you’ll likely take the drug short term.

It’s important to note that you may have an increased risk of side effects, including serious side effects, if you take Celebrex long term. Due to this risk, your doctor may prescribe the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time. To learn about Celebrex’s side effects, see this article.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Celebrex.

Does Celebrex have a maximum dose?

Celebrex’s maximum dose per day depends on the condition being treated. In general, the highest dose of Celebrex that doctors prescribe is 400 mg. This can be taken as 400 mg once daily or 200 mg twice daily.

However, you should not increase your Celebrex dosage on your own. If your current dosage isn’t helping ease your symptoms, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on the maximum dosage of Celebrex that’s right for you.

What’s the 200-mg dose of Celebrex prescribed for?

Doctors may prescribe a 200-mg dose of Celebrex for the following conditions:

For details, see “Celebrex dosage” above. If you have questions about the right dosage of Celebrex for you, talk with your doctor.

Is there a recommended dosage for older adults taking Celebrex?

There isn’t a specific dosage of Celebrex for older people (ages 65 years and older). However, older adults have a higher risk for certain side effects than younger adults. So, older adults are usually prescribed a low starting dosage of Celebrex to minimize the risk of side effects. (To learn about Celebrex’s side effects, see this article.)

If you’re an older adult weighing less than 50 kg (about 110 lb), your doctor will likely prescribe the lowest dose of Celebrex possible. This is to help prevent side effects from the medication.

Your doctor can advise you on the dosage of Celebrex that’s right for you.

What’s the Celebrex dosage for fibromyalgia?

At this time, Celebrex is not approved to treat fibromyalgia. However, it’s possible that your doctor may prescribe the drug off-label. This refers to when a doctor prescribes a medication for a different purpose than what it was approved for.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder that causes pain throughout your body. It may also cause sleep problems or fatigue.

One study looked at the use of an antiviral medication called famciclovir and celecoxib in treating fibromyalgia. (Celecoxib is the active drug in Celebrex.) The results showed that this combination of medications may be effective at easing fibromyalgia symptoms.

If you’re interested in taking Celebrex for fibromyalgia, talk with your doctor.

Is there a ‘normal dose’ of Celebrex?

No. The dosage of Celebrex depends on many factors, such as the condition the drug is treating. For other factors, see “Factors that can affect your dosage” below.

Your doctor will help determine the right dosage of Celebrex for you. To learn about the typical dosages of Celebrex to treat certain conditions, see “Celebrex dosage” above.

The Celebrex dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Celebrex for
  • your age and body weight
  • other medications you take

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Celebrex dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Celebrex in certain situations. These include:

  • having liver problems
  • taking other medications that may interact with Celebrex*
  • being an older adult (age 65 years or older)
  • being an older adult and weighing less than 50 kg (about 110 lb)

To learn more about dosage adjustments for Celebrex, talk with your doctor.

* For additional information about Celebrex interactions, see this article.

It’s important to take Celebrex as your doctor prescribes.

Celebrex comes as an oral capsule that you should swallow whole. You can take it with or without food.

If you have difficulty swallowing the drug, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a teaspoon of applesauce. Be sure to empty the entire capsule. And use applesauce that’s cool or room temperature.

It’s important to swallow the medication and applesauce combination right away, along with water. If you need to mix the applesauce and Celebrex ahead of time, you can keep the mixture refrigerated for up to 6 hours. Be sure to take your dose within 6 hours, or it should be discarded.

If you take Celebrex once per day, try to take it at the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of medication in your body so Celebrex can work effectively.

If you take Celebrex twice per day, take the drug in the morning and evening. Try to separate your doses of Celebrex by 12 hours.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Celebrex in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Celebrex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to take your next dose. In some cases, they may recommend taking the dose as soon as you remember. In other situations, such as if it’s almost time for your next dose, they may recommend skipping the missed dose. In this case, you would take your next dose at the regular time.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

If you take more Celebrex than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.

It’s important that you do not take more Celebrex than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Celebrex, may include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Celebrex

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Celebrex. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Celebrex for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Celebrex without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Celebrex that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Celebrex. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.