Meloxicam
Pronunciation: mel-OX-i-kam.
- Generic name
- meloxicam
- Brand names
- Mobic (United States)
- Drug class
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
- Form
- Tablet or oral suspension
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine.
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What meloxicam is and how it works
Meloxicam is an NSAID used to relieve pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. (1)
Like other NSAIDs, it carries a risk of serious cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke) and serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, or perforation. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time.
Mechanism of action: how meloxicam works
Meloxicam is an NSAID that preferentially inhibits cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) at usual clinical doses, reducing prostaglandin synthesis involved in pain and inflammation, though gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks associated with the NSAID class remain relevant. (1) (2)
What meloxicam is used for
Osteoarthritis
Used to relieve the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis. (1)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Used to relieve the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. (1)
Before taking meloxicam
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take meloxicam if you have had a severe allergic reaction to meloxicam or another NSAID, or asthma, hives, or an allergic-type reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID. (all products) (1)
- Do not use meloxicam for pain immediately before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. (all products) (1)
- Do not take meloxicam if you have severe kidney impairment and are not on dialysis. (all products) (2)
Tell your clinician about
- Any heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular risk factors.
- Any history of stomach ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, or bleeding disorder.
- Kidney or liver disease.
- A recent heart attack.
- Every other medicine you take, especially blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, or lithium.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
How to take meloxicam
- Take exactly as prescribed, usually once daily with food or a liquid.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed.
- Do not combine with another NSAID unless your prescriber specifically directs it.
- Do not change your dose or stop taking meloxicam without talking to your prescriber first.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2)
Missed dose
Follow the product instructions for missed doses, or ask your prescriber or pharmacist. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Overdose
Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, or a poison-control/emergency service if an overdose is suspected. (1)
Side effects
Digestive symptoms and fluid retention are commonly reported. Some effects, especially cardiovascular or gastrointestinal warning signs, need urgent attention.
Indigestion or abdominal pain
What to notice: Commonly reported effects.
What to do: Tell your prescriber if severe or persistent; do not ignore black stools or vomiting blood. (1)
Raised blood pressure or swelling (oedema)
What to notice: Commonly reported effects.
What to do: Tell your prescriber, especially if you have heart or kidney disease. (1)
Fluid retention or possible kidney problem
What to notice: Swelling, rapid weight gain, or reduced urination.
What to do: Contact a clinician promptly. (1)
Serious warnings
Heart attack or stroke risk — emergency
Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, or sudden severe headache.
Action: Call emergency services immediately. This risk can occur early in treatment and may increase with dose or duration; it is a class effect of NSAIDs like meloxicam. (1)
Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, or perforation — emergency
Symptoms: Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood or material like coffee grounds, or severe stomach pain.
Action: Get urgent medical help immediately; a clinician or emergency service will decide whether meloxicam needs to be stopped. This can occur without warning symptoms and risk is higher in older adults. (1)
Serious allergic (anaphylactoid) reaction — emergency
Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe rash, which can occur even without a prior reaction to an NSAID.
Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Blood thinners (anticoagulants) | Can increase the risk of bleeding. | Tell your prescriber before combining. (1) |
| ACE inhibitors and diuretics | Meloxicam can reduce their blood-pressure-lowering effect and increase kidney-related risk. | Your prescriber may monitor blood pressure and kidney function more closely. (1) |
| Lithium | Meloxicam can increase lithium blood levels. | Your prescriber may monitor lithium levels more closely. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Kidney impairment
Not suitable for severe kidney impairment unless on dialysis, in which case a lower maximum dose (7.5 mg/day) is used. No dose change is generally needed for mild to moderate kidney impairment. (2)
Liver impairment
No dose reduction is generally needed for mild to moderate liver impairment; use caution and current local product information for more severe impairment. (2)
Pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy, particularly the third trimester, due to risks to the baby's kidney development and other risks. (1)
Children
Not for use in children under 16, per the UK product information reviewed. (2)
Breastfeeding
There are no human data on whether meloxicam passes into breast milk, on its effects on a breastfed baby, or on milk production; in animal studies meloxicam was present in the milk of lactating rats at concentrations higher than those in blood. Because no information is available on meloxicam use during breastfeeding, LactMed states that other medicines may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. The health benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against your clinical need for meloxicam and any possible effect on your baby -- tell your prescriber if you are breastfeeding or planning to, and let them make that decision with you. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, kidney, and liver history.
- Review all current medicines, especially blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and lithium.
During treatment
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time.
- Seek urgent help for cardiovascular or gastrointestinal warning symptoms.
- Monitor blood pressure and kidney function periodically, especially in at-risk patients.
Storage
Store as directed on the product label, out of reach of children.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local product information for exact dosing.
United States
Indication: Osteoarthritis / rheumatoid arthritis
Dose summary: Initial 7.5 mg once daily; maximum 15 mg once daily for most patients.
Renal context: Not detailed in the US source reviewed; see UK dosing below for renal-specific guidance found in this pass. (1)
United Kingdom
Indication: Osteoarthritis / rheumatoid arthritis
Dose summary: Maximum 15 mg once daily, taken as a single dose with food or liquid.
Renal context: Contraindicated in severe renal impairment not on dialysis; hemodialysis patients: maximum 7.5 mg/day; no reduction needed for mild-moderate impairment (CrCl over 25 mL/min). (2)
Hepatic guidance
No dose reduction is generally needed for mild-moderate hepatic impairment per the UK source; use caution and current local product information for more severe impairment.
Overdose note
Manage suspected overdose supportively per local poison-control and emergency guidance. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
What is meloxicam used for?
meloxicam is prescribed for approved indications. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance.
What are the side effects of meloxicam?
Common side effects may include gastrointestinal symptoms and headache. Serious side effects require immediate medical attention.
Can I take meloxicam with other medications?
Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
What is the mechanism of action of meloxicam?
Meloxicam is an NSAID that preferentially inhibits cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) at usual clinical doses, reducing prostaglandin synthesis involved in pain and inflammation, though gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks associated with the NSAID class remain relevant. (1) (2)
References
- MOBIC (meloxicam) tablets, for oral use — full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration (accessdata.fda.gov) · United States · accessed 2026-07-26 · source 1
- Meloxicam Tablets — Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic Medicines Compendium (UK) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-26 · source 2
- OSTILOX (MELOXICAM) SUSPENSION [MWI/VETONE] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- Meloxicam — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- Meloxicam — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA077944)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
- meloxicam — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 41493)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 6
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient meloxicam names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- XIFYRM30 mg/mL · azurity pharmaceuticals, inc.
- QAMZOVA30 mg/mL · nanjing delova biotech co., ltd.
- Zybic7.5 mg/5mL · redmont pharmaceuticals, llc
Canada
- MOBICOX