From the Research
Celebrex (celecoxib) has a duration of action of approximately 12 hours, which is why it is typically prescribed to be taken once or twice daily. After oral administration, celecoxib reaches peak plasma concentrations in about 3 hours and has a half-life of 11 hours 1. This relatively long half-life allows for consistent pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects throughout the dosing period. For most conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute pain, the recommended dosing is 100-200 mg twice daily, though some patients may achieve adequate symptom control with once-daily dosing. The drug works by selectively inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which reduces prostaglandin production responsible for pain and inflammation while sparing the COX-1 enzyme that helps protect the stomach lining. Some key points to consider when prescribing Celebrex include:
- The medication should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration 1
- Patients should take Celebrex with food if stomach upset occurs
- It may take several days of consistent use to achieve maximum anti-inflammatory benefits for chronic conditions
- Celecoxib has been shown to be as effective as nonselective NSAIDs, such as diclofenac and naproxen, in treating osteoarthritis, but with a superior safety profile, particularly with regards to gastrointestinal events 2, 3