meloxicam vs naproxen
Side-by-side comparison of meloxicam and naproxen. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
In the absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration.
Recommendation: Avoid taking these two medications together. Talk to your doctor about using a different combination for pain relief.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps to reduce pain and swelling.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Meloxicam treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who weigh at least 132 pounds (60 kg). This medicine helps to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints.
Naproxen is used to relieve pain and inflammation. You can use it for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It also treats ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Naproxen can help with tendonitis, bursitis, gout, menstrual cramps, and general pain.
Meloxicam works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation and pain.
Naproxen works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. These substances contribute to the symptoms of pain, swelling, and fever.
- • Diarrhea
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Upset stomach
- • Flu-like symptoms
- • Heartburn
- • Abdominal pain
- • Nausea
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- Pain 4,669
- Tiredness 4,577
- Joint pain 4,222
- Feeling sick to your stomach 3,807
- Headache 3,323
- Pain 8,756
- Tiredness 7,338
- Joint pain 7,244
- Feeling sick to your stomach 7,063
- Headache 5,717
Meloxicam may increase your risk of serious heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use. You should not take meloxicam if you are having heart bypass surgery. Meloxicam can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestinal problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can occur without warning. The elderly and those with a history of ulcers are at greater risk.
Naproxen may increase your risk of serious heart problems like heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may happen early in treatment and increases with longer use. You should not take naproxen if you are having heart bypass surgery. Naproxen can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestine problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can occur without warning. Elderly people are at higher risk.
Using meloxicam between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy may cause kidney problems in the baby, leading to low amniotic fluid. Avoid using meloxicam after 30 weeks of pregnancy because it can cause heart problems in the baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Using naproxen after 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause kidney problems in the unborn baby, leading to low amniotic fluid. Avoid using naproxen at 30 weeks of pregnancy or later because it can cause the baby's heart to close too early. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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How to Read This meloxicam vs naproxen Comparison
meloxicam is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while naproxen sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, meloxicam has 20,598 submissions while naproxen has 36,118. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs are in the same family of pain relievers, and taking them together increases the risk of serious side effects like stomach bleeding. using multiple drugs of this type can also be hard on the kidneys.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between meloxicam and naproxen - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.