Objective To explore the effects of parecoxib sodium on the inflammatory factors of septic patients induced by abdominal infection and the function of intestinal barrier. Methods Clinical data were collected from 97 septic patients who were admitted into Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital due to abdominal infection and received treatment from April, 2015 to October, 2017. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into two groups: a treatment group (parecoxib, n=50) and a control group (normal saline, n=47). Both groups were compared for general information, I‑fatty acid‑binding protein (I‑FABP), diamine oxidase (DAO), D‑lactate (D‑Lac), interleukin‑6 (IL‑6), C reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) before and after treatment, and morality after treatment. Results There was no statistical difference in general information between the two groups (P>0.05). No statistical difference was found in intestinal barrier function and inflammatory indicators in both groups before treatment (P>0.05). The two groups presented remarkably reduced levels of I‑FABP, DAO and D‑Lac after treatment, compared with their levels before treatment, and the levels of I‑FABP, DAO and D‑Lac in the treatment group were obviously lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The two groups presented remarkably reduced levels of IL‑6, CRP and TNF‑α after treatment, compared with their levels before treatment, and the levels of IL‑6, CRP and TNF‑α in the treatment group were obviously lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The 28‑day mortality of the treatment group (12.0%, 6/50) was obviously lower than that of the control group (31.9%, 14/47) (χ2=4.683, P=0.03). Conclusions Parecoxib sodium can relieve inflammatory reaction, while protecting the intestinal barrier function in septic patients, with good safety.