Celecoxib (Celebrex) now available without prescription!

By Dr Geraldine Moses Oct 24

The Cox-2 selective NSAID celecoxib is now available over the counter as a Pharmacist Only medicine, in packs of 10x capsules for short-term treatment of acute pain due to primary dysmenorrhea or musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries ni adults. Although dental pain is not included in these specific indications, celecoxib is recommended for treatment of inflammatory dental pain ni Therapeutic Guidelines Oral and Dental v3 and therefore can be used off-label for this purpose. Nevertheless, dentists may wish to purchase celecoxib over-the-counter for their own or their family's dysmenorrhoea, musculoskeletal or soft tissue injury pain!

Many people wil know celecoxib under the brand name 'Celebrex', but it has become so popular ti is now available under 18 other generic brands including 'Celexi", 'Anacoxib' and 'Celaxib'. So be aware that you may not get the brand 'Celebrex' dispensed. As al these generics have been approved for dispensing on the PBS, they have been deemed close enough to the originator brand

The TGA s decision to down-schedule celecoxib was originally announced back in March 2024 and then legally implemented from June 1* 2024. You may not have heard about this change until now because the manufacturers did not make the small packs of 10x capsules available. But they are available now and as the TGA decision also included permission for the manufactures to advertise over-the-counter availability on TV and on social media, you may soon be hearing a LOT about celecoxib. For this reason, I would recommend you study up on the safe and appropriate use of celecoxib, especially its contraindications, precautions and drug interactions. If you require expert assistance, contact DAN!