Does Celebrex Contain Lactose?
Yes, Celebrex (celecoxib) oral capsules contain lactose monohydrate as an inactive ingredient. 1
Formulation Details
According to the FDA drug label, CELEBREX oral capsules (available in 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg strengths) contain the following inactive ingredients 1:
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Edible inks
- Gelatin
- Lactose monohydrate
- Magnesium stearate
- Povidone
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
Clinical Implications
For patients with lactose intolerance or galactosemia, the presence of lactose monohydrate in Celebrex capsules is clinically relevant. While the amount of lactose in each capsule is relatively small, sensitive individuals may experience gastrointestinal symptoms.
Alternative Considerations
- Research has explored drug-excipient interactions between celecoxib and lactose, confirming its presence in formulations 2
- Studies comparing celecoxib physical mixtures with lactose to commercial Celebrex showed similar bioavailability profiles 3
- The lactose content is part of the standard capsule formulation and cannot be avoided when using branded Celebrex
Important Caveat
Patients with documented lactose intolerance who require celecoxib therapy should be counseled about the lactose content. However, the clinical significance depends on the severity of their intolerance. For severely lactose-intolerant patients or those with galactosemia, alternative NSAID formulations without lactose should be considered, though this must be balanced against the specific gastrointestinal safety advantages of celecoxib over non-selective NSAIDs 4.