Over 54 million people in the United States have arthritis, and about one in four adults with arthritis have severe joint pain. Arthritis is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints that occurs when the lining that prevents the bones in your joints from rubbing together breaks down. The result is pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased mobility of the affected joint.
The drugs most commonly used to treat symptoms of arthritis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), two of which are Celebrex (celecoxib) and Mobic (meloxicam).
Celebrex and Mobic are NSAIDs used to relieve symptoms of arthritis and to treat other conditions. Celebrex is available in 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg capsules. Mobic is available in 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets.
Celebrex and Mobic both work by inhibiting the enzymes that promote the release of substances (prostaglandins) in your body that produce pain and inflammation. The difference is that Celebrex only inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and Mobic inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2.
The COX-1 enzyme protects the lining of your stomach from acid. By selectively inhibiting COX-2, Celebrex is less likely to cause stomach bleeding than Mobic.
Celebrex can be used to treat the following conditions:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in patients two years and older
- arthritis of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis)
- acute pain
- menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
Mobic is indicated to treat the following:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who weigh 60 kg (132 pounds) or more
Celebrex can reach peak concentration levels in your blood about 3 hours after taking a dose. Peak concentrations of Mobic are reached up to 5 hours after taking the medication. However, a second peak occurs about 12 to 14 hours after the first dose. This means that Celebrex works faster than Mobic, but the effects of Mobic may last longer than that of Celebrex.
The most common side effects seen with Celebrex include:
- stomach pain
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- gas
- swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles
- accidental injury
- runny nose
- sinus problems
- upper respiratory tract infection
- rash
The most common side effects seen with Mobic include:
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- upper respiratory tract infection
- flu-like symptoms
Although both Celebrex and Mobic have the potential to cause cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke, one study showed that Celebrex is less likely to cause cardiovascular issues than Mobic.
Additionally, due to its mechanism of action, Celebrex is less likely to cause stomach bleeding and ulcers than Mobic.
You should not take Celebrex if you are taking any of the following medications:
- cidofovir (Vistide)
- ketorolac (Toradol)
- thioridazine (Mellaril)
Do not take Mobic if you are taking:
- cidofovir (Vistide)
- ketorolac (Toradol)
You should not take aspirin or other NSAIDs while taking Celebrex or Mobic. All NSAIDs, including Celebrex and Mobic, should be stopped if you are taking blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), enoxaparin (Lovenox), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto).
This list does not represent all possible drug interactions for Celebrex and Mobic. Be sure to discuss any concerns you have about your medication with your pharmacist.
The choice between Celebrex and Mobic depends on several factors, including which condition you are treating, what other medications you are taking, and the side effects of the drugs.
If you are seeking faster relief from your arthritis pain, Celebrex may be a better option; however, if you are looking for longer-lasting effects, Mobic may be the better choice.
If you are treating rheumatoid arthritis in children, Celebrex can be used in children as young as two years old without regard to a minimum weight.
The cost of Celebrex and Mobic varies based on your insurance coverage, where you live, and where you shop. As of the time this article was written, the average retail prescription cost for 30 celecoxib (generic for Celebrex) 200 mg capsules is about $190. The average retail prescription cost for 30 meloxicam (generic for Mobic) 15 mg tablets is about $26.
Remember to consider several factors when deciding which medication is right for you. Your healthcare provider will prescribe medicine according to your symptoms and medical conditions. If your insurance does not cover your mediation, you can use a prescription discount card to get the lowest price at a pharmacy near you.
Prescription discount cards, or prescription savings cards, help you obtain the lowest prescription price for your medication. If your insurance does not cover your medication or the cost is too high on insurance, a free Rx savings card may save you up to 80% or more off the retail price. You can use the ScriptSave® WellRx discount card for the best prescription savings at a pharmacy near you.
Rosanna Sutherby is a freelance medical writer who has been a practicing pharmacist in her community for close to 20 years. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She utilizes her clinical training in the pharmacy, where she helps patients manage disease states such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and many others. Dr. Sutherby reviews and recommends drug regimens based on patients’ concurrent conditions and potential drug interactions.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/arthritis.htm
https://www.wellrx.com/health-conditions/about/health-condition/osteoarthritis/~default/
https://www.wellrx.com/celebrex/drug-information/
https://www.wellrx.com/mobic/drug-information/
https://www.wellrx.com/health-conditions/about/health-condition/rheumatoid-arthritis/~default/
https://www.wellrx.com/health-conditions/about/health-condition/dysmenorrhea/~default/
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8d52185d-421f-4e34-8db7-f7676db2a226#S5.2
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=676e73fb-51d2-449a-8749-1a7bcc257b11
https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00002018-200629030-00009
https://www.wellrx.com/prescriptions/celebrex/houston,%20tx%2077023,%20usa
https://www.wellrx.com/prescriptions/mobic/houston,%20tx%2077023,%20usa
https://www.wellrx.com/
https://www.wellrx.com/rx-discount-card/enroll/
https://www.wellrx.com/prescriptions/
https://www.wellrx.com/prescription-discount-card
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