Two medicines, side by side
Fenoprofen vs meloxicam
Fenoprofen and meloxicam are both labeled for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fenoprofen since 1976 and of meloxicam since 2000. How each works, in its label's words: Fenoprofen, “The mechanism of action of FENOPROFEN CALCIUM, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).”; 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 fenoprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 20, 2026); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026).
Highlights of the fenoprofen record
Fenoprofen (Nalfon) · label of August 20, 2026
RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS Cardiovascular Thrombic Events Non-Steroidal 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 FENOPROFEN CALCIUM is indicated for: • Relief of mild to moderate pain in adults • Relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis • Relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis FENOPROFEN CALCIUM is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for: Relief of mild to moderate pain in adults. ( 1 ) Relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 16, 1976
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
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 (Fenoprofen label of August 20, 2026, Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fenoprofen and meloxicam differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Fenoprofen, “The mechanism of action of FENOPROFEN CALCIUM, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).”; 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: Fenoprofen, “Elimination Metabolism The plasma half-life is approximately 3 hours.”; 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: fenoprofen since 1988; meloxicam since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fenoprofen | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | Fenoprofen has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of FENOPROFEN CALCIUM, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). | 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) | Elimination Metabolism The plasma half-life is approximately 3 hours. | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 16, 1976 | April 13, 2000 |
| First generic approved | April 20, 1988 | July 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | +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) | 49 | 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?
Fenoprofen label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of fenoprofen 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 ) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to fenoprofen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions