Two medicines, side by side
Etodolac vs meloxicam
Etodolac and meloxicam are both labeled for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of etodolac since 1991 and of meloxicam since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.262 per etodolac 400 mg tablet 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. How each works, in its label's words: Etodolac, “of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.”; 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).”
Check it at the source: the etodolac FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 16, 2026); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026).
Highlights of the etodolac record
Etodolac (Lodine) · label of July 16, 2026
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 ]. Etodolac tablets, 400 mg and 500 mg are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Contraindications and Warnings ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of etodolac tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use etodolac tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.262 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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 (Etodolac label of July 16, 2026, Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do etodolac and meloxicam differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Etodolac, “of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.”; 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).”
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Half-life, in each label's words: Etodolac, “The terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of etodolac is 6.4 hours (22% CV).”; 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: etodolac since 1997; meloxicam since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Etodolac | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition. Etodolac is a racemic mixture of [-]R- and [+]S-etodolac. | 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) | The terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of etodolac is 6.4 hours (22% CV). | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 31, 1991 | April 13, 2000 |
| First generic approved | February 28, 1997 | July 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.262 per tablet (Etodolac 400 mg tablet) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.9% | +0.8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 5,958 | 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?
Etodolac label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of etodolac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to etodolac
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions