Key takeaways
- Celebrex can interact with other drugs, such as certain blood pressure medications, blood thinners, antidepressants, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Certain health factors, such as heart conditions, high blood pressure, and kidney problems, can increase the risk of interactions with Celebrex.
- Before starting Celebrex, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your health history and all medications and supplements you take.
Celebrex (celecoxib) is a prescription pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drug that’s used to treat:
An interaction can occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions.
Keep reading to learn about Celebrex’s possible interactions, including what you cannot take with Celebrex.
Before you start taking Celebrex, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The chart below lists drugs that may interact with Celebrex. Keep in mind that this chart does not include all drugs that can interact with Celebrex. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples | What can happen |
|---|---|---|
| blood thinners | • apixaban (Eliquis) • clopidogrel (Plavix) • dabigatran (Pradaxa) • low dose aspirin • rivaroxaban (Xarelto) • warfarin (Jantoven) | can increase the risk of certain side effects from Celebrex |
| certain antidepressants | • citalopram (Celexa) • duloxetine (Cymbalta) • fluoxetine (Prozac) • sertraline (Zoloft) • venlafaxine (Effexor XR) | can increase the risk of certain side effects from Celebrex |
| certain blood pressure medications | • atenolol (Tenormin) • lisinopril (Zestril) • losartan (Cozaar) • propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL) • ramipril (Altace) • valsartan (Diovan) | can increase the risk of certain side effects from Celebrex and can make certain blood pressure medications less effective |
| corticosteroids | • dexamethasone (Hemady) • prednisone (Rayos) • prednisolone | can increase the risk of certain side effects from Celebrex, such as serious digestive problems |
| diuretics | • furosemide (Lasix) • hydrochlorothiazide | can increase the risk of certain side effects from Celebrex and can make diuretics less effective |
| other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | • aspirin • diclofenac (Zipsor) • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) • naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) | can increase the risk of certain side effects from Celebrex |
| cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) | — | can increase the risk of certain side effects from cyclosporine |
| digoxin (Lanoxin) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from digoxin |
| fluconazole (Diflucan) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from Celebrex |
| lithium (Lithobid) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from lithium |
| methotrexate (Trexall) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from methotrexate |
| pemetrexed (Alimta) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from pemetrexed |
| rifampin (Rifadin) | — | can make Celebrex less effective |
Note: Celebrex has a boxed warning for the risk of serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of this article.
Certain health conditions or other factors could raise your risk of harm if you take Celebrex. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Celebrex for you. These are known as contraindications. The list below includes contraindications of Celebrex.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction: If you have had an allergic reaction to Celebrex or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Celebrex. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better options for you.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to other NSAIDs: Celebrex is an NSAID. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to other NSAIDs, taking Celebrex could cause an allergic reaction. Examples of other NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to other NSAIDs, your doctor will likely not prescribe Celebrex. Ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better options for you.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sulfonamides: Sulfonamides (sometimes called sulfa drugs) are a group of medications that cause allergic reactions in some people. Examples include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim), and dapsone. Celebrex is related to sulfonamides.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to a sulfonamide, taking Celebrex may also cause an allergic reaction. Celebrex’s manufacturer recommends avoiding Celebrex if you have a sulfa allergy. But doctors do sometimes prescribe Celebrex to people with this kind of allergy. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sulfonamides, ask your doctor if Celebrex is right for you.
If you have heart bypass surgery: Your doctor will likely not prescribe Celebrex if you’re planning to have or have recently had heart bypass surgery. This surgery, also called a coronary artery bypass graft, is done to improve blood supply to the heart. Taking an NSAID such as Celebrex in the 2 weeks after heart bypass surgery can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. (Celebrex has a boxed warning for risk of cardiovascular problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of this article.)
Before you start taking Celebrex, talk with your doctor if any of the factors above apply to you. Your doctor can determine whether Celebrex is safe for you to take.
Celebrex has not been reported to interact with alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while you’re taking Celebrex may increase your risk of certain Celebrex side effects. Examples of these include:
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- serious digestive problems, such as:
- bleeding, ulcers (sores)
- perforations (tears) in the lining of your stomach, intestines, or esophagus
Celebrex has a boxed warning for the risk of serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. (To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of this article.)
If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor how much is safe for you to consume while you’re taking Celebrex.
Find answers to some frequently asked questions about Celebrex and possible interactions.
What pain reliever can you take with Celebrex?
Celebrex is an NSAID pain reliever that interacts with certain other pain medications. But in general, it may be safe to take Celebrex with the following pain relievers:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that works differently from NSAIDs like Celebrex. It’s generally safe to take acetaminophen with Celebrex for additional pain relief.
- Topical pain medications: Topical pain relief products, such as creams or patches, can be used with Celebrex to relieve pain in certain areas. Since these products are applied on top of your skin, they aren’t expected to interact with Celebrex, which is taken orally.
- Opioid medications, in some cases: If you have severe pain, your doctor may prescribe an opioid medication. Opioids work differently from NSAIDs, but they also have serious warnings to be aware of. These include opioid dependence, withdrawal, and overdose.
It’s important to note that Celebrex interacts with other pain medications, such as aspirin and other NSAIDs. For more details, see the “Drug interactions explained” section.
Before taking any other pain relievers with Celebrex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll recommend the right pain reliever for you and your condition.
Can you take Celebrex with high blood pressure medication?
It depends on the type of blood pressure medication. Celebrex is known to interact with certain blood pressure medications and make them less effective. Some blood pressure drugs can also increase the risk of side effects from Celebrex. (To learn more, see the “Does Celebrex interact with other drugs?” section.)
However, there are some blood pressure medications that may have a lower risk of interacting with Celebrex. These include:
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
- verapamil (Verelan)
- diltiazem (Cardizem CD)
If your doctor prescribes Celebrex while you’re taking a blood pressure medication, they’ll monitor you more closely. They may also have you monitor your blood pressure at home during treatment.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking Celebrex with blood pressure drugs.
Celebrex may have other interactions. They could occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. See below for details.
Does Celebrex interact with supplements?
Some drugs may interact with supplements, such as herbs and vitamins.
Before you start treatment with Celebrex, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Sharing this information with them may help avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Celebrex and herbs
There are currently no reports of Celebrex interacting with herbs. But this does not mean interactions with herbs will not be recognized in the future.
For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Celebrex treatment.
Celebrex and vitamins
There are currently no reports of Celebrex interacting with vitamins. But this does not mean that vitamin interactions will not be recognized in the future.
For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Celebrex treatment.
Does Celebrex interact with food?
There are currently no reports of Celebrex interacting with food. If you have questions about eating certain foods during your treatment with Celebrex, talk with your doctor.
Does Celebrex interact with vaccines?
No, Celebrex has not been reported to interact with vaccines. But you should still check with your doctor before getting vaccines while you’re taking Celebrex.
Does Celebrex interact with lab tests?
No, that’s not likely. Celebrex has not been reported to interact with lab tests. But if you need lab tests while taking Celebrex, you should still tell your doctor that you’re taking this medication.
Does Celebrex interact with cannabis or CBD?Cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been specifically reported to interact with Celebrex. Using these products with Celebrex can increase the amount of Celebrex in your body. This may raise your risk of side effects from Celebrex.
Before you start treatment with Celebrex, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Celebrex.
Interaction with blood thinners
There are two kinds of blood thinners: anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Both are used to help prevent dangerous blood clots. Anticoagulants are also used to treat blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism.
Celebrex can interact with blood thinners, as described below. If you take a blood thinner, talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is right for you.
| What could happen | Examples of blood thinner medications | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Taking Celebrex with blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in your digestive system. | • apixaban (Eliquis) • clopidogrel (Plavix) • low dose aspirin • rivaroxaban (Xarelto) • warfarin (Jantoven) | See your doctor right away if you have symptoms of bleeding in your digestive system, such as: • vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds • passing bloody, black, or tar-like stools |
Note: Celebrex has a boxed warning for the risk of serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of this article.
Interaction with other NSAIDs
NSAIDs are medications used to reduce inflammation (swelling) and relieve pain. Celebrex is an NSAID that’s prescribed by your doctor. You can buy certain OTC NSAIDs without a prescription. Note that some OTC medications for pain, cold, flu, and allergies may contain NSAIDs.
Celebrex can interact with other NSAIDs, as described below:
| What could happen | Examples of NSAID medications | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Taking Celebrex with other NSAIDs can increase the risk of serious or life threatening digestive problems, such as bleeding, ulcers, or perforations in the lining of your stomach, intestines, or esophagus. | • aspirin • diclofenac (Zipsor) • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) • naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) | Do not take Celebrex with OTC medications that contain NSAIDs. Doctors will usually not prescribe Celebrex with other NSAIDs. |
Note: Celebrex has a boxed warning for the risk of serious digestive problems. To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of this article.
Interaction with certain antidepressants
Celebrex can interact with the following groups of antidepressants:
The table below describes this interaction:
| What could happen | Examples of SSRI and SNRI antidepressant medications | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Taking Celebrex with SSRI or SNRI antidepressants can increase the risk of bleeding, especially bleeding in your digestive system. | • citalopram (Celexa) • duloxetine (Cymbalta) • fluoxetine (Prozac) • sertraline (Zoloft) • venlafaxine (Effexor XR) | See your doctor right away if you have symptoms of bleeding in your digestive system, such as: • vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds • passing bloody, black, or tar-like stools |
Note: Celebrex has a boxed warning for the risk of serious digestive problems. To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of this article.
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Celebrex. Before taking Celebrex, talk with your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Celebrex is right for you.
Health conditions or other factors that might interact with Celebrex include:
Risk of cardiovascular problems: Celebrex may raise your risk of serious or life threatening cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke. You may have a higher risk of these problems if you have:
- heart disease
- risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, or smoking
- recently had a heart attack
If you have any of these risk factors, talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you.
Due to the risk of cardiovascular problems, your doctor will likely not prescribe Celebrex if you’re planning to have or have recently had heart bypass surgery. Talk with them about other treatments that may be better for you. For more information, see the “When should I avoid Celebrex?” section.
High blood pressure: Celebrex can increase your blood pressure, which may raise your risk of cardiovascular problems. If you take certain medications for high blood pressure, Celebrex could make the medication less effective at managing your blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you. If your doctor prescribes Celebrex, they’ll likely monitor your blood pressure during treatment. They may also adjust the dosage of your blood pressure medication if needed. Or they may add another blood pressure medication to your treatment plan or switch you to a different medication.
Heart failure: If you have heart failure, Celebrex could make your condition worse. You may also have an increased risk of kidney problems with this drug. Ask your doctor whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you. If your doctor prescribes Celebrex, be sure to tell them if your heart failure symptoms get worse. These symptoms may include new or worsening swelling in your legs or feet, shortness of breath, or sudden weight gain.
Risk of digestive problems: Celebrex can raise your risk of serious or life threatening digestive problems. These include bleeding, ulcers, and perforations in the lining of your stomach, intestines, or esophagus. You may have a higher risk of these problems if you:
- are age 65 years or older
- have had ulcers or bleeding in your digestive system in the past
- have severe liver disease
- have blood clotting problems
- smoke or drink alcohol
If you have any of these risk factors, talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you.
Kidney problems: Celebrex can cause new and worsen existing kidney problems, especially if you become dehydrated while taking it. You may have a higher risk of kidney problems with Celebrex if you:
- are age 65 years or older
- have heart failure
- have liver problems
- take other medications that can affect your kidneys, such as diuretics or ACE inhibitors
If you have a kidney problem, ask your doctor whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you. If your doctor prescribes Celebrex, they’ll likely order blood tests to check your kidney function from time to time. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking Celebrex to avoid dehydration.
Liver problems: If you have a liver problem, taking Celebrex could make it worse. Celebrex could also build up in your body, which could increase your risk of the drug’s side effects. You may also have a higher risk of digestive and kidney problems with Celebrex. Talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you.
If your doctor recommends Celebrex, they may prescribe a dosage that’s lower than usual. And they’ll likely order blood tests to check your liver function from time to time.
Asthma: Celebrex can cause asthma attacks in some people. If you have asthma, talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you. If your asthma gets worse or you have an asthma attack during Celebrex treatment, contact your doctor right away.
Older age: Celebrex is more likely to cause side effects in older people. If you’re age 65 years or older, talk with your doctor about whether this medication is right for you.
Pregnancy: If you’re 20 or more weeks pregnant, taking Celebrex may cause kidney problems in the fetus. If you’re 30 or more weeks pregnant, taking Celebrex may cause serious harm to the fetus. Doctors are not sure if Celebrex is safe to take in early pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is the right treatment option for you. If you’re 30 or more weeks pregnant, your doctor will likely not prescribe Celebrex. Ask them about other treatments that may be better for you.
Breastfeeding: Celebrex can pass into breast milk in small amounts, but it’s not expected to be harmful to a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor about whether Celebrex is the right treatment option during this time.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Celebrex, any of its ingredients, other NSAID medications, or sulfonamide medications, your doctor will likely not prescribe Celebrex. (For more information, see the “When should I avoid Celebrex?” section.) Ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better for you.
Note: Celebrex has a boxed warning for the risks of cardiovascular problems and serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of this article.
Taking certain steps can help you avoid interactions with Celebrex. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Things to discuss with them include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a
medication list . - What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Celebrex treatment.
It’s also important to read Celebrex’s
Taking Celebrex exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
Disclaimer: Healthline 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.