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Meloxicam vs. Celebrex: Which of the Two Is the Better Pick?

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

Authored by Dr. Ahmed Zayed

Reviewed by Michael Espelin APRN

Individuals experiencing pain and inflammation symptoms are provided with a range of opportunities in terms of pharmaceutical drugs that can be utilized to alleviate the symptoms. While Celebrex, also known as Celecoxib, is a particularly popular option, Mobic may sometimes be prescribed as a Celebrex alternative. Patients should be acknowledged about the differences when it comes to comparing Celebrex vs. Meloxicam.

Mobic or Celebrex: How Do They Work?

When looking at whether to use Meloxicam vs. Celebrex, it is essential to consider how these medications work and how fast they can relieve pain. They both belong to the same drug class. Celecoxib and Mobic use primarily include the treatment of arthritis symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

All NSAIDs work by inhibiting the body’s ability to produce prostaglandins. These are molecules that signal pain. Prostaglandins play a part in the development of fever, as well as inflammation. Muscle pains are also signaled through the production of these molecules. That is done by blocking the cyclooxygenase enzyme. When the enzyme is blocked, it can’t produce prostaglandin. That way, the patient will notice a decrease in inflammation, which, in turn, leads to a reduction in pain.

Woman feeling neck pain massaging her back.

Meloxicam vs. Celebrex are both classified as COX-2 inhibitors. The production of prostaglandins is blocked with either of these medications, which is why they’re sometimes prescribed interchangeably. However, their interchangeability depends on the patient’s condition and how they respond to either of them.

Celebrex vs. Meloxicam: Which Pills Act Faster?

Meloxicam versus Celebrex response time is something that makes a difference in which one is picked for treatment. When using Mobic 7.5 mg or any other dose, the medication usually acts within 1 hour and should be taken only once a day. Meloxicam is also able to provide relief of pain and inflammation for up to 24 hours. Taking higher doses of the medication can put a patient at risk of experiencing Mobic overdose.

Celecoxib also starts acting within an hour, similar to Meloxicam, but the effects of the medication do not last as long as Mobic. The reduction in pain and inflammation provided by Celecoxib will wear off after the estimated eight hours. As a result, most people will have to take the medication more than once per day.

Celecoxib vs. Mobic Dosage Comparison

The dosage of Celebrex vs. Meloxicam will usually depend on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. It is also essential to consider that these medications have different levels of dosages for various conditions.

Doctor writing a presciption specifying the Meloxicam dosage.

When taking Mobic, the maximum advised daily dose of the medication is 15 mg. Most individuals will be given 7.5 mg per day, however. The physician will try to find the lowest dosage possible that still offers the person an effective alleviation of the symptoms they are suffering from.

The Medication Is Available In:

  • 5mg
  • 7.5mg
  • 10mg
  • 15mg

Celecoxib is available in various strengths, ranging from 50mg up to 400mg capsules. In adults with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, the recommended daily dosage is 200mg. Many patients are advised to take 100mg twice each day since the pill’s effects do not last for the entire day. Which one they pick, Meloxicam versus Celebrex, at which dose depends on their physician in charge and their treatment history.

Celebrex vs. Mobic Side Effects

When a person is deciding whether to utilize Celebrex vs. Mobic to assist in treating pain symptoms, that individual must understand and compare the side effects associated with both of these drugs.

Below Is a Comparison Table of Common Side-Effects of Celecoxib vs. Meloxicam:

Celebrex Meloxicam
STOMACH UPSET
NAUSEA
DROWSINESS
DIARRHEA
BLOATING
GAS
DIZZINESS
NERVOUSNESS
HEADACHE
RUNNY OR STUFFY NOSE
SKIN RASH
SORE THROAT
ABDOMINAL PAIN
INSOMNIA
INDIGESTION

There are more severe adverse effects that a person may experience when using Celecoxib or Meloxicam. The severity of side effects mostly depends on the dosage amount being taken. For example, Meloxicam 7.5 side effects would not be as severe as with the higher dosage.

As the dosage of either of these medications goes up, so does the severity of their side effects. However, they can also appear at a lower dose if patients don’t have built-up tolerance for that specific dosage.

For Mobic, if the patient notices shortness of breath, chest pain, and loss of the ability to speak, see, or balance, or begin to vomit or cough blood, they should contact their medical health professional after taking medicine in charge of treatment right away. Any of these symptoms can be severe enough to harm their health long-term, so it’s integral that they get help immediately.

For Celecoxib, the severe side effects may include high cholesterol, heart attack, intense stomach aches, heart failure, liver failure, and even a stroke. These side effects may be severe, but they’re also relatively uncommon.

It’s more likely for the severe side effects of Mobic to present than Celecoxib, but that too depends on the patient and their treatment history.

Meloxicam vs. Celebrex: Which One Will Be Safer and More Effective?

Generally, all NSAIDs come with an increased risk of GI problems or stomach problems. However, both of these are still pretty popular choices when it comes to arthritis treatments.

The primary basis of the Meloxicam vs. Celebrex debate, and for one of these NSAIDs being prescribed over the other, is the duration they’re required for. If the patient is seeking faster relief but needs the drug for a shorter amount of time, Celebrex may be a better option as it works faster. However, for a long-term solution, the slower action, Mobic, is preferred.

A study from 2006 showed that Celecoxib might carry less of a risk to the heart than Mobic does. However, it is essential to note that the effectiveness, and the safety, will depend on the patient’s overall health, treatment history, and how their body reacts to each of the drugs. A specific dose of one medicine may be safe for one patient and prove harmful for the other, which is why it’s important to follow the physician’s instructions in charge to protect the patient’s overall health.

Mobic and Celebrex Risk Groups

Before a patient begins to take either of these drugs, they must have been over exactly how they function and compare Mobic vs. Celebrex to their needs. As Mobic is a long-term COX-2 inhibitor, patients that need help with long-term arthritis treatment may go for this drug over Celebrex. Celebrex can be used short-term, even for extreme menstrual cramps, showing how much safer it is considered.

Young woman holds pills and a pill bottle in her hands.

The patient should only take the drug that their physician has prescribed and only take as much as they’ve prescribed to stay away from severe side effects. People who have a history of heart-related conditions, hives, asthma, or have had an allergic reaction to aspirin, should inform their physician to determine if the drug will be safe for them to consume. If not, they’ll be prescribed the closest alternative.

Mobic vs. Celebrex: What NSAID is the Best Rescue?

Arthritis is one of the common conditions treated with an NSAID like Celebrex, Meloxicam or ibuprofen. It is, however, essential to understand which one of the two drugs is more effective at treating these symptoms, Mobic vs. Celebrex.

It can be a tricky question, unfortunately. Some individuals will respond better to Celebrex, while another person would experience more significant relief of their symptoms with the help of Meloxicam. So the answer to Mobic vs. Celebrex may lie in the patient’s bodies, how their body reacts to each drug. Apart from Celebrex, there are also other Meloxicam alternatives that can be considered. Mobic and Tramadol, for example, belong to different drug classes. However, Tramadol may be helpful for those who don’t benefit from NSAID treatment.

When Celecoxib vs. Meloxicam are compared, Meloxicam tablets are known to have a slightly higher risk of side effects associated with GI problems. Still, it can prove to be very helpful if the physician’s prescription is carefully followed. Meloxicam is also the more affordable option and does not pose a significant risk in increasing a person’s likelihood of having a heart attack or other types of cardiovascular complications.

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Published on: May 14th, 2019

Updated on: March 22nd, 2024

About Author

Dr. Ahmed Zayed

Dr. Ahmed Zayed has degrees in Medicine and Surgery and is a graduate of The University of Alexandria. Dr. Ahmed Zayed has a passion for writing medical and healthcare articles and focuses on providing engaging and trustworthy information to readers.

Medically Reviewed by

Michael Espelin APRN

8 years of nursing experience in wide variety of behavioral and addition settings that include adult inpatient and outpatient mental health services with substance use disorders, and geriatric long-term care and hospice care.  He has a particular interest in psychopharmacology, nutritional psychiatry, and alternative treatment options involving particular vitamins, dietary supplements, and administering auricular acupuncture.

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