Two medicines, side by side
Meloxicam vs methotrexate
Meloxicam and methotrexate are both labeled for rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of meloxicam since 2000 and of methotrexate since 1953. Pharmacies paid $0.0166 per meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet and $0.158 per methotrexate 2.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Methotrexate's other strengths are brand-only: $21.76 per mL (Xatmep 2.5 mg/mL oral solution). In FDA's classes, meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and methotrexate a folate analog metabolic inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026); the methotrexate FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 27, 2026).
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 methotrexate record
Methotrexate (Rasuvo) · label of May 27, 2026
EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY, HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, SEVERE ADVERSE REACTIONS, and RISK OF MEDICATION ERRORS Methotrexate Tablets can cause embryo-fetal toxicity, including fetal death. For non-neoplastic diseases, Methotrexate Tablets is contraindicated in pregnancy. For neoplastic diseases, advise females and males of reproductive potential to use effective contraception [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsMethotrexate tablets is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor indicated for the: Treatment of adults and pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as part of a combination chemotherapy maintenance regimen ( 1.1 ) Treatment of adults with mycosis fungoides ( 1.1 ) Treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma as part of a metronomic combination regimen ( 1.1 ) Treatment of adults […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 7, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 29 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.158 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026, Methotrexate label of May 27, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do meloxicam and methotrexate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and methotrexate a folate analog metabolic inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: 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).”; Methotrexate, “Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Meloxicam, “The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours.”; Methotrexate, “Elimination The elimination half-life of methotrexate is approximately 3 to 10 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: meloxicam since 2006; methotrexate since 1979 (Drugs@FDA).
| Meloxicam | Methotrexate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain | Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Breast cancer |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Folate Analog Metabolic Inhibitor |
| 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). | Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase. Dihydrofolates must be reduced to tetrahydrofolates by this enzyme before they can be utilized as carriers of one-carbon groups in the synthesis of purine nucleotides and thymidylate. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. | Elimination The elimination half-life of methotrexate is approximately 3 to 10 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 13, 2000 | December 7, 1953 |
| First generic approved | July 19, 2006 | September 5, 1979 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 29 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) | $0.158 per tablet (Methotrexate 2.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 57,757 | 489,791 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Meloxicam label, drug interactionsMethotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (…). Intervention: During concomitant use of QAMZOVA and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity.
Meloxicam label, drug interactionsMethotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (…). Intervention: During concomitant use of XIFYRM and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Methotrexate label, drug interactionsOral antibiotics (including neomycin) Antifolate drugs (e.g., dapsone, pemetrexed, pyrimethamine and sulfonamides) Oral or intravenous penicillin or sulfonamide antibiotics Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Highly protein-bound drugs (e.g., oral anticoagulants, phenytoin, salicylates, sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, and tetracyclines) Hepatotoxic products Proton pump inhibitors Weak acids (e.g. …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to meloxicam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions