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Chou R, McDonagh MS, Nakamoto E, et al. Analgesics for Osteoarthritis: An Update of the 2006 Comparative Effectiveness Review [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2011 Oct. (Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 38.)
| Nonselective NSAIDs | Low Dose | Medium Dose | High or Max Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diclofenac potassium | 50mg bid | 50mg tid | 50mg qid (in OA/RA only) |
| Diclofenac sodium | 50mg bid | 75mg bid | 50mg qid or 100mg SR bid (in RA only) |
| Fenoprofen | 200–300mg qid | 600mg tid-qid | 800mg qid |
| Flurbiprofen | 50mg bid | 50mg tid-qid | 100mg tid |
| Ibuprofen | 400mg tid | 600mg tid-qid | 800mg qid |
| Ketoprofen | 25–50mg tid | 75mg tid | IR =300mg/day (divide), SR =200mg/day |
| Naproxen | 250mg tid | 500mg bid | 1250mg/day (divided) |
| Naproxen sodium | 275mg tid | 550mg bid | 1375mg/day (divided) |
| Oxaprozin | 600mg qd | 1,200mg qd | 1,200mg qd |
| Sulindac | 150mg bid | 200mg bid | 200g bid |
| Piroxicam | 10mg qd | 20mg qd | 40mg per day (not indicated for OA or RA) |
| Partially-selective NSAIDs | Low Dose | Medium Dose | High or Max Dose |
| Etodolac | 200mg tid | 400mg bid | 1,200mg max (IR or SR divided doses) |
| Meloxicam/Mobic | 7.5mg qd | 7.5mg qd | 15mg qd |
| Nabumetone | 1,000mg qd | 1,000mg bid | 2,000mg/day (qd or divided bid) |
| Cox-2 inhibitors | Low Dose | Medium Dose | High or Max Dose |
| Celecoxib/Celebrex | 200mg qd | 200mg bid | 200mg bid |
COX = cyclo-oxygenase; IR = immediate release; NSAID = nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug; OA = osteoarthritis; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; SR = sustained release
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This table does not represent exact or equivalent dosing conversions. It is based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved dosing ranges and comparative doses from clinical trials.