Two medicines, side by side
Meloxicam vs acetaminophen
Meloxicam and acetaminophen are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of meloxicam since 2000 and of acetaminophen since 1968. Pharmacies paid $0.0166 per meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet and $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026); the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024).
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
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026, Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do meloxicam and acetaminophen differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: meloxicam since 2006; acetaminophen since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Meloxicam | Acetaminophen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | n/a |
| How it works (label) | 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). | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 13, 2000 | November 7, 1968 |
| First generic approved | July 19, 2006 | December 1, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 89 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 57,757 | 445,075 |
| 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 next?
- Alternatives to meloxicam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions