Two medicines, side by side
Duloxetine vs meloxicam
Duloxetine and meloxicam are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of duloxetine since 2004 and of meloxicam since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.102 per duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule and $0.0166 per meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and meloxicam a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the duloxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2024); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026).
Highlights of the duloxetine record
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) · label of May 14, 2024
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDRIZALMA SPRINKLE is indicated for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder in adults • Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in adults • Fibromyalgia in adults • Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in adults Additional pediatric use information is approved for Eli Lilly and Company, Inc.’s CYMBALTA (duloxetine delayed-release capsules). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 3, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 56
Highlights of the meloxicam record
Meloxicam (Mobic) · label of January 29, 2026
RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE Meloxicam tablets are a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for: Osteoarthritis (OA) (1.1) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) (1.2) Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) in patients who weigh ≥60 kg (1.3) 1.1 Osteoarthritis (OA) Meloxicam tablets are indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. 1.2 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Meloxicam tablets […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 13, 2000
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0166 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Duloxetine label of May 14, 2024, Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do duloxetine and meloxicam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and meloxicam a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
How each works, in its label's words: Duloxetine, “Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation …”; Meloxicam, “The mechanism of action of meloxicam, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).”
Half-life, in each label's words: Duloxetine, “Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE.”; Meloxicam, “The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: duloxetine since 2013; meloxicam since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Duloxetine | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Pain | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic … | Meloxicam has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of meloxicam, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). |
| Half-life (label) | Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE. | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 3, 2004 | April 13, 2000 |
| First generic approved | December 11, 2013 | July 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.102 per capsule (Duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +31% | +0.8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 56 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 69,298 | 57,757 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Duloxetine label, drug interactionsExamples Selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, intravenous methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of duloxetine with other serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to duloxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions