Meloxicam
MOBIC
Pronunciation: mel-OX-i-kam
“Mel locks a Mobi camel”
“The N said... NSAID”
What it isCOX-2-preferring NSAID for osteoarthritis and other inflammatory pain.
Why this oneIts long action simplifies chronic arthritis treatment, and lower exposure preserves some COX-2 preference.
What limits itAt higher exposure it behaves like a nonselective NSAID; renal, GI and cardiovascular toxicity remain, and lithium exposure can rise.
FDA-approved for
- osteoarthritis (2000)
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis | Adult | 7.5 mg QD | 7.5 mg QD | 15 mg QD |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Adult | 7.5 mg QD | 7.5 mg QD | 15 mg QD |
| Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (pauci/polyarticular) | Children ≥60 kg | 7.5 mg QD | 7.5 mg QD | 7.5 mg QD |
Renal No adjustment for mild–moderate; not recommended in severe impairment; max 7.5 mg/day on hemodialysis (not dialyzable).
Hepatic No adjustment for mild–moderate; not adequately studied in severe — use with caution.
Max 15 mg/day; doses ≥22.5 mg increase serious GI risk.
Instructions
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
- May take without regard to meals.
- Maximum 15 mg/day regardless of formulation.
- Not interchangeable with other oral meloxicam formulations even at the same mg strength.
Available strengths
- tab 7.5, 15 mg
- cap 5, 10 mg
- susp 7.5 mg/5 mL
- inj 30 mg/mL
Contraindications
- History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
- In the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- Previous serious skin reactions to NSAIDs.
Cautions
- Cardiovascular thrombotic events (MI, stroke).
- GI bleeding, ulceration, perforation.
- Hepatotoxicity.
- Hypertension; heart failure and edema.
- Renal toxicity and hyperkalemia.
- Anaphylactic reactions; aspirin-sensitive asthma (contraindicated).
- Serious skin reactions (SJS, TEN, DRESS, GBFDE).
- Fetal toxicity; hematologic toxicity.
Adverse reactions
- diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence
- upper respiratory tract infection
- influenza-like symptoms
- headache, dizziness
- edema
- rash, pruritus
- pediatric: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, pyrexia
Pregnancy Avoid at ~30 weeks gestation and later (premature closure of fetal ductus arteriosus); limit dose/duration at 20–30 weeks (oligohydramnios/fetal renal dysfunction).
Lactation No human data; present in rat milk; weigh benefits against potential effects on the infant.
Cost
Generic entry2006
⚠ BOXED WARNINGS
- Cardiovascular thrombotic events
- Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration and perforation
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryMultiple / indication-, trimester- or formulation-dependent
Defining liabilityGI bleeding, kidney injury, hypertension and fluid retention; many agents increase lithium concentrations.
Open Meloxicam in the interactive console ↗
Memory aids: interaction avatars
