Diclofenac vs Celecoxib: side-by-side comparison
Diclofenac (NSAID (phenylacetic acid)) and Celecoxib (COX-2 selective NSAID) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Diclofenac | Celecoxib |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | NSAID (phenylacetic acid) | COX-2 selective NSAID |
| CAS | 15307-86-5 | 169590-42-5 |
| ATC | M01AB05 | M01AH01 |
| Molecular weight | 296.15 g/mol | 381.37 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Diclofenac and Celecoxib share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Diclofenac acts by a different mechanism than Celecoxib, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Diclofenac: Diclofenac hemmt reversibel die Cyclooxygenasen COX-1 und COX-2, mit etwas stärkerer COX-2-Selektivität als Ibuprofen und Naproxen. Celecoxib: Celecoxib hemmt selektiv die Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), die an Entzündungsorten induzierte Enzymisoform, die für Schmerz, Fieber und Entzündung verantwortliche Prostaglandine produziert.
Indications compared
Diclofenac: Diclofenac ist bei Erwachsenen zur Behandlung von Arthrose, rheumatoider Arthritis, ankylosierender Spondylitis, akuten muskuloskelettalen Schmerzen, postoperativen Schmerzen, primärer Dysmenorrhoe, akuter Migräne und Ur… Celecoxib: Celecoxib ist bei Erwachsenen zur Behandlung von Arthrose, rheumatoider Arthritis, Spondylitis ankylosans, akuten Schmerzen sowie primärer Dysmenorrhoe zugelassen.
Safety profile
Diclofenac: Häufige Nebenwirkungen sind gastrointestinale Beschwerden, Kopfschmerzen, Schwindel und erhöhte Leberenzyme. Celecoxib: Häufige Nebenwirkungen sind gastrointestinale Beschwerden (seltener als bei klassischen NSAR), periphere Ödeme, Hypertonie und Kopfschmerzen.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Is Diclofenac better than Celecoxib? ▾
Diclofenac and Celecoxib are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Diclofenac and Celecoxib be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Diclofenac
Products with Celecoxib
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