Celebrex vs. Mobic: Similarities & Differences
Medically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD
Celebrex (celecoxib) and Mobic (meloxicam) are two brand-name, orally administered prescription (Rx) medications that are categorized as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Celebrex and Mobic are used for various conditions that involve bodily pain and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
NSAIDs, whether prescription-based or over-the-counter (OTC), come available in a wide variety of forms (such as tablets, liquids, or capsules) and are commonly used to alleviate back pain, toothaches, headaches, or muscle pain, among other varying forms of discomfort.
In the case of Celebrex and Mobic, while generally similar, they do carry notable differences potential users should understand, such as differences in dosing volumes, differences in their mechanisms of action, some differences in side effects, and some discrepancies in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved uses (including off-label uses).
Read on for an in-depth comparison of Celebrex versus Mobic.
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Understanding NSAIDs
Many different NSAIDs are available in brand and generic forms, OTC and Rx (in higher doses). NSAIDs can help with pain, swelling, fever, and redness.
Some common NSAIDs you may have heard of include Advil (ibuprofen), Motrin (ibuprofen), and Aleve (naproxen), among others.
Similarly, you may think of Tylenol (acetaminophen) when you think of common pain-relieving drugs. However, Tylenol is not an NSAID. Tylenol can relieve pain and fever but does not help inflammation.
A quick primer on how NSAIDs work:
Prostaglandins are substances that cause pain and inflammation.
Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme (something that speeds up a process) that helps make prostaglandins in the body.
There are two types of COX enzymes: COX-1 and COX-2.
COX-1 can be found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the passageway from the mouth to the anus, including the stomach and intestines.
COX-2 can be found at sites of inflammation.
NSAID medications act by binding to COX-1 and/or COX-2 enzymes to varying degrees. This helps slow down prostaglandin production, thus helping pain and inflammation.
An NSAID affecting COX-1 enzymes can cause unwanted effects on the GI tract. However, when an NSAID only (or primarily) affects COX-2 enzymes, it is safer on the stomach.
We will discuss Celebrex and Mobic in further detail below.
What Is Celebrex?
Celebrex is an orally administered, brand-name prescription drug with the active ingredient celecoxib. When we mention Celebrex in this article, it applies to brand-name and generic celecoxib.
Brand-name Celebrex and generic celecoxib both come in capsule form only.
Celebrex is an NSAID, but more specifically known as a COX-2 inhibitor.
This is because it mainly binds to the COX-2 enzymes to help with fever, pain, and inflammation but less affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Celebrex, which is taken by mouth, is FDA-approved to manage symptoms associated with:
OA in adults (a type of arthritis that happens when the tissue at the ends of bones wears down, causing joint pain)
RA in adults (a type of arthritis where the immune system attacks its tissue, including joints)
JRA or juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and adolescents 2 years and older (a type of arthritis in children that causes joint swelling and stiffness)
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults (a type of arthritis that affects the spine and large joints)
Acute pain in adults
Primary dysmenorrhea in adults (pain/cramping associated with menstrual periods)
Off-Label Uses
Sometimes, healthcare providers prescribe a medication that the FDA did not initially approve for a specific use. This is called off-label prescribing.
Sometimes, healthcare providers prescribe Celebrex "off-label" for:
Pain and inflammation associated with acute gouty arthritis (AGA). AGA is a common form of arthritis that often affects one joint at a time, the big toe joint.
Pain relief after surgery
Celecoxib In Other Brand-Name Products
The active ingredient in Celebrex, celecoxib, can also be found in an oral liquid called Elyxyb.
Elyxyb is a brand-name oral medication (given in the form of a liquid solution) and is not available in generic form. It is FDA-approved to treat acute migraine in adults.
What Is Mobic?
Mobic is an NSAID that binds to COX-1 and COX-2 but has a preferential activity for the COX-2 enzymes, which may lead to fewer GI-related side effects.
Brand-name Mobic is available in the form of an oral tablet. The active ingredient in Mobic, meloxicam, is also available as a generic capsule.
However, know that there is no brand-name form for the meloxicam capsules. Note that we are talking about brand-name Mobic and generic meloxicam when talking about Mobic.
Meloxicam is also available as a generic oral suspension.
The generic oral suspension of meloxicam is FDA-approved for OA and RA in adults and JRA in children 2 years or older.
The prescribing information notes that this oral suspension cannot be interchanged with other forms of oral meloxicam, even if the total milligram strength is the same.
Mobic, which is taken by mouth, is FDA-approved to manage symptoms associated with:
OA in adults
RA in adults
JRA in children and adolescents who weigh 132 pounds or more
Off-Label Uses
Sometimes, healthcare providers prescribe Mobic off-label for:
Pain and swelling associated with oral surgery
Pain after surgery
Acute back pain
Dosing Comparison
Next, we will review dosage forms and dosing of Celebrex and Mobic.
Celebrex
Celebrex is available as a capsule that is taken by mouth.
It is available in the following dosages:
50 milligrams (mg)
100 mg
200 mg
400 mg
When dosing Celebrex, healthcare providers prescribe the lowest effective dosage for the shortest possible time to reduce the risk of severe side effects.
The dosage is as follows:
200 mg by mouth once a day or 100 mg by mouth twice daily for OA.
100 mg or 200 mg by mouth twice daily for RA.
The dose for JRA varies by the child's weight. Those weighing 22 to 55 pounds will take 50 mg orally twice daily. Those weighing over 55 pounds will take 100 mg orally twice daily.
200 mg once daily or 100 mg by mouth twice daily for ankylosing spondylitis.
The dosage for acute pain or primary dysmenorrhea is a one-time dose of 400 mg, followed by a second 200 mg dose on the first day if needed. After the first day, the dose is 200 mg orally twice daily as needed.
Mobic
Mobic is available as a tablet that is taken by mouth.
It is available in the following dosages:
7.5 mg
15 mg
When dosing Mobic, healthcare providers prescribe the lowest effective dosage for the shortest possible time to reduce the risk of severe side effects.
Dosage is as follows:
For OA and RA: The starting dosage is 7.5 mg by mouth once daily. If needed, the healthcare provider may increase the dose to 15 mg by mouth once daily.
For JRA, the dosage is 7.5 mg by mouth once daily in children who weigh 132 pounds or more.
Side Effects
Next, we will review the side effects of both Celebrex and Mobic.
Celebrex and Mobic have a black box warning, the most severe warning required by the FDA.
This warning applies to all NSAIDs and states:
NSAIDs can increase the risk of severe heart and clotting events, such as heart attack and stroke, which can cause death.
NSAIDs should not be used before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (also known as heart bypass surgery, a procedure that restores blood flow to areas of the heart).
NSAIDs increase the risk of serious GI complications, such as bleeding, ulcers (sores), and perforation (holes) of the stomach or intestines can cause death. Older adults or those with a history of ulcers or bleeding are at higher risk for these complications.
You can talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of NSAIDs.
Note that, with either drug, if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or a severe skin reaction, such as fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple rash, blistering/peeling skin, you should get emergency medical help right away.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Celebrex may include:
Gas
Bloating
Constipation
Sore throat/cold symptoms
Dizziness
Altered taste
Common side effects of Mobic may include:
Constipation or diarrhea
Gas
Sore throat
Severe Side Effects
Serious side effects of both Celebrex and Mobic may include but are not limited to:
Unexplained weight gain
Swelling of the stomach, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Feeling excessively tired
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Liver problems: stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, flu-like symptoms
Frequent, complex, or painful urination
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects. Furthermore, contact 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency.
Precautions
Celebrex and Mobic are not safe for everyone to take.
The following individuals should not take either of these medications:
People with a history of asthma, hives, or any other allergic reactions to aspirin or any NSAIDs
People who are undergoing CABG surgery
People with severe kidney or liver problems
Pregnant people who are 30 weeks of gestation or more.
Pregnant individuals under 30 weeks should consult a healthcare provider. NSAIDs may also affect ovulation, so individuals trying to become pregnant should consult their healthcare provider.
Additionally, people who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not take Celebrex.
The healthcare provider will weigh the risks and benefits of prescribing an NSAID for other medical conditions. If an NSAID is prescribed, you will be closely monitored.
So, inform your healthcare provider about any allergies to medications, medical conditions, and medical history.
Potential for Interaction
Before taking Celebrex or Mobic, tell your healthcare provider about all your medicines, including prescription, OTC, and vitamins or supplements.
While taking Celebrex or Mobic, do not start any new medications without approval from your healthcare provider.
A few notable potential drug-related interactions include but are not limited to:
While taking Celebrex or Mobic, avoid alcohol. Alcohol can increase the risk of GI bleeding.
Certain medications can also increase the risk of bleeding when combined with Celebrex or Mobic. These include blood thinners such as Jantoven (warfarin); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), such as Lexapro (escitalopram); or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Effexor (venlafaxine)
NSAIDs may affect how well certain drugs work for lowering blood pressure, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as Zestril (lisinopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), such as Cozaar (losartan), and beta-blockers, such as Tenormin (atenolol)
This is a partial list of interactions. Other interactions may occur with Celebrex or Mobic.
Consult your healthcare provider for more information about drug interactions and how they may affect you.
Summary
Celebrex (celecoxib) and Mobic (meloxicam) are two orally administered, brand-name NSAIDs used for various conditions that involve bodily pain and inflammation, such as OA, RA, and JA.
Overall, both drugs are seen as generally safe and effective.
Moreover, Celebrex and Mobic drugs carry a variety of similarities, such as overlapping uses, similar modes of administration, and similar side effects. In contrast, both carry a black box warning as designated by the FDA.
However, they also carry notable differences, such as discrepancies in their mechanisms of action (pharmacodynamics), slight differences in how they are administered (capsule vs. tablet regarding brand-name form), different active ingredients, differences in dosing, and varying off-label uses.
Consult your healthcare provider for more information and professional medical advice about Celebrex and Mobic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store Celebrex vs. Mobic?
If using either drug, store Celebrex and Mobic at room temperature (68-77 F), away from direct light, heat, or areas susceptible to high moisture levels (e.g., the bathroom).
Keep out of reach and out of sight of children and pets. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Which drug works faster? Celebrex or Mobic?
If you seek faster relief from your arthritis pain, Celebrex may be a better option; however, Mobic may be the better choice if you are looking for longer-lasting effects.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
