Drug interactions
Celecoxib + Willow bark
Severity: Moderate
Celecoxib and Willow bark: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylates, so combining it with celecoxib may add to NSAID-type risks such as gastrointestinal irritation, bleeding and renal effects. Together they provide duplicate therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Celecoxib and Willow bark can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic NSAID-like effects from salicylate formation; competition for renal tubular secretion is also proposed.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use where possible; if combined, monitor for GI bleeding and renal function.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Celecoxib and Willow bark, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Celecoxib
- Celecoxib + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Celecoxib + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Celecoxib Major
- Acemetacin + Celecoxib Major
- Amiloride + Celecoxib Major
- Apixaban + Celecoxib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Celecoxib with Willow bark?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Celecoxib and Willow bark can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylates, so combining it with celecoxib may add to NSAID-type risks such as gastrointestinal irritation, bleeding and renal effects. Together they provide duplicate therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Celecoxib and Willow bark?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use where possible; if combined, monitor for GI bleeding and renal function.
What other medicines interact with Celecoxib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Celecoxib with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Celecoxib page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
