Nonselective NSAIDsLow DoseMedium DoseHigh or Max Dose
Diclofenac potassium50mg bid50mg tid50mg qid (in OA/RA only)
Diclofenac sodium50mg bid75mg bid50mg qid or 100mg SR bid (in RA only)
Fenoprofen200–300mg qid600mg tid-qid800mg qid
Flurbiprofen50mg bid50mg tid-qid100mg tid
Ibuprofen400mg tid600mg tid-qid800mg qid
Ketoprofen25–50mg tid75mg tidIR =300mg/day (divide), SR =200mg/day
Naproxen250mg tid500mg bid1250mg/day (divided)
Naproxen sodium275mg tid550mg bid1375mg/day (divided)
Oxaprozin600mg qd1,200mg qd1,200mg qd
Sulindac150mg bid200mg bid200g bid
Piroxicam10mg qd20mg qd40mg per day (not indicated for OA or RA)
Partially-selective NSAIDsLow DoseMedium DoseHigh or Max Dose
Etodolac200mg tid400mg bid1,200mg max (IR or SR divided doses)
Meloxicam/Mobic7.5mg qd7.5mg qd15mg qd
Nabumetone1,000mg qd1,000mg bid2,000mg/day (qd or divided bid)
Cox-2 inhibitorsLow DoseMedium DoseHigh or Max Dose
Celecoxib/Celebrex200mg qd200mg bid200mg bid

COX = cyclo-oxygenase; IR = immediate release; NSAID = nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug; OA = osteoarthritis; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; SR = sustained release

*

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.

From: Appendix A, Comparable NSAID Dose Levels*

Cover of Analgesics for Osteoarthritis
Analgesics for Osteoarthritis: An Update of the 2006 Comparative Effectiveness Review [Internet].
Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 38.
Chou R, McDonagh MS, Nakamoto E, et al.
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