The aim of this study was to compare the compaction behavior of crystalline celecoxib (CryCEL), amorphous celecoxib (AmCEL) and celecoxib (CEL) - polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP) - meglumine (MEG) solid dispersion (Ter-Mix) using texture analyzer and hydraulic press for low and high pressures, respectively. Pressure induced devitrification in the amorphous and ternary system was also studied using PXRD. Elastic energy/plastic energy (EE/PE) ratio of AmCEL, CryCEL and Ter-Mix was found to be 1.71, 2.32, and 1.91, respectively at 6.35 MPa. Similar trend was observed at all studied compaction pressures. AmCEL showed significant devitrification, while Ter-Mix showed degree of crystallinity (DOC) of 11.9%, when compacted at tableting pressures of 109 MPa. Parameters 'a', '1/b', and 'Py' obtained using Kawakita equation and Heckel equation gave values of 0.86, 5.2, and 253.4 MPa for CryCEL, 0.89, 4.85, and 103 MPa for AmCEL and 0.68, 16.1, and 169.6 MPa for Ter-Mix, respectively. The study revealed significant differences in compaction properties of CryCEL, AmCEL, and Ter-Mix. AmCEL was not suitable for compacted solid dosage forms due to pressure induced devitrification. However, stabilized AmCEL in Ter-Mix showed relatively lesser devitrification and can be developed as compacted dosage forms. (C) 2010 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.