When you hear celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor used to treat pain and inflammation, especially in arthritis. Also known as Celebrex, it's one of the few NSAIDs still widely prescribed after concerns about heart risks shook the industry in the early 2000s. Since then, dozens of celecoxib clinical trials, large-scale studies designed to test how well and how safely celecoxib works over time have reshaped how doctors use it. These aren’t just lab reports—they’re real-world data from thousands of patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even those at risk for colon polyps.
One big question driving these trials: Is celecoxib safer than older NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen? The answer isn’t simple. Studies like the APC trial showed a small but real increase in heart attacks at high doses over long periods, which led the FDA to add black box warnings. But other trials, like the PRECISION study, found that when used at low-to-moderate doses (100mg daily), celecoxib had similar heart risks to naproxen and ibuprofen—and caused fewer stomach ulcers. That’s why today, many doctors still prescribe it for patients with a history of GI issues, as long as they don’t have existing heart disease.
It’s not just about safety. COX-2 inhibitors, a class of drugs designed to block inflammation without irritating the stomach lining like traditional NSAIDs, are also being tested for new uses. Recent trials looked at celecoxib’s role in reducing polyp recurrence in people with familial adenomatous polyposis. Others explored its effect on chronic pain in back conditions, even comparing it to physical therapy. And in some cases, researchers combined it with low-dose aspirin to see if the combo offered better protection without raising risks.
What you won’t find in most drug ads: how celecoxib stacks up against generic alternatives, what doses actually work for different conditions, or how side effects change after six months of use. That’s where the real clinical trial data comes in. The posts below pull from those studies—some published in the New England Journal of Medicine, others from the Arthritis Foundation’s own research—to give you clear, no-fluff answers. You’ll see how patients actually fared, what side effects showed up most often, and which groups should avoid it entirely. No marketing spin. Just what the numbers say.
A concise review of celecoxib's role in cancer prevention, covering key trials, benefits, risks, and practical guidance for patients and clinicians.