diflunisal vs meloxicam
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of diflunisal and meloxicam. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
NSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of meloxicam with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].
Dolobid
Mobic
Diflunisal is a medicine that can help with pain and swelling. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps to reduce pain and swelling.
Diflunisal can help with mild to moderate pain. It can also treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You should use the lowest dose that works for you, for the shortest time needed.
Meloxicam treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who weigh at least 132 pounds (60 kg). This medicine helps to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints.
Diflunisal reduces pain and swelling by blocking the production of certain chemicals in your body. These chemicals cause inflammation and pain. By blocking them, diflunisal helps to relieve your symptoms.
Meloxicam works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation and pain.
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Upset stomach
- • Stomach pain
- • Diarrhea
- • Diarrhea
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Upset stomach
- • Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea 66
- Fatigue 57
- Pain 50
- Drug Hypersensitivity 47
- Headache 45
- Pain 4,670
- Fatigue 4,578
- Arthralgia 4,222
- Nausea 3,807
- Headache 3,323
NSAIDs like diflunisal can increase your risk of heart problems like heart attack and stroke, which can be deadly. This risk is higher if you take it for a long time. You should not take diflunisal if you are having heart bypass surgery. NSAIDs also raise your risk of serious stomach problems like bleeding and ulcers, which can also be deadly. Older adults are at higher risk for these stomach problems.
Meloxicam may increase your risk of serious heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use. You should not take meloxicam if you are having heart bypass surgery. Meloxicam can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestinal problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can occur without warning. The elderly and those with a history of ulcers are at greater risk.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking diflunisal late in pregnancy may harm your baby. It is not known if diflunisal passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
Using meloxicam between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy may cause kidney problems in the baby, leading to low amniotic fluid. Avoid using meloxicam after 30 weeks of pregnancy because it can cause heart problems in the baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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How to Read This diflunisal vs meloxicam Comparison
diflunisal is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while meloxicam sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, diflunisal has 265 submissions while meloxicam has 20,600. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to using these two drugs together increases the chance of serious stomach problems like bleeding or ulcers. combining them does not provide any extra benefit for your pain or swelling.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for diflunisal or meloxicam.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.