Meloxicam

Information about Meloxicam

Meloxicam

Meloxicam 3D

Meloxicam is a long acting nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) available by prescription only and used in therapy of chronic arthritis. 

Liver safety of Meloxicam

Meloxicam has been linked to rare instances of acute, clinically apparent liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Meloxicam

Meloxicam (mel ox' i kam) is an enolic acid that belongs to oxicam class of NSAIDs similar to piroxicam.  Like other NSAIDs, meloxicam is a potent cyclo-oxygenase (Cox-1 and Cox-2) inhibitor which blocks the formation of prostaglandins that are important in pain and inflammatory pathways.  Meloxicam has analgesic as well as antipyretic and antiinflammatory activities.  Meloxicam has a ten-fold selectivity in inhibiting Cox-2 over Cox-1 in vitro.  The specificity for Cox-2 is believed to make meloxicam less likely to cause gastrointestinal mucosal injury compared to standard NSAIDs that inhibit both Cox enzymes, which would suggest that it should have fewer gastrointestinal side effects and less effects on platelet function than the nonselective Cox inhibitors (Cox-1 and Cox-2).  However, in humans, meloxicam in full doses has a similar side effect profile as most nonselective NSAIDs, and its clinical advantage has yet to be proven. 

FDA approval information for Meloxicam

Meloxicam was approved in the United States in 2000 and currently more than 9 million prescriptions are filled yearly.  Current indications are for chronic osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. 

Dosage and administration for Meloxicam

Meloxicam is available by prescription only in 7.5 and 15 mg tablets in generic forms and under the brand name Mobic.  The recommended dose is 7.5 to 15 mg once daily. 

Side effects of Meloxicam

Like most NSAIDs, meloxicam is generally well tolerated, but side effects can include gastrointestinal upset and pain, nausea, headache, dizziness, somnolence, itching, peripheral edema and hypersensitivity reactions. Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Acetaminophen, Celecoxib, Diclofenac, Diflunisal, Etodolac, Fenoprofen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Ketoprofen, Ketorolac, Mefenamic Acid, Meloxicam, Nabumetone, Naproxen, Nimesulide, Oxaprozin, Phenylbutazone, Piroxicam, Rofecoxib, Sulindac, Tolmetin

• Dailymed label info on Meloxicam
• FDA Meloxicam