Two medicines, side by side
Meloxicam vs naproxen
Meloxicam and naproxen are both labeled for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of meloxicam since 2000 and of naproxen since 1976. Pharmacies paid $0.0166 per meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet and $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet (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 naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 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 naproxen record
Naproxen (Aleve) · label of March 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache menstrual cramps headache toothache the common cold temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 11, 1976
- Generic labelers
- 139 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0565 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026, Naproxen label of March 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do meloxicam and naproxen differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: meloxicam since 2006; naproxen since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Meloxicam | Naproxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain | Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| 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 | March 11, 1976 |
| First generic approved | July 19, 2006 | October 30, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 139 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 57,757 | 142,225 |
| 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?
Naproxen label, drug interactions (prescription label)Concomitant use of naproxen 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 meloxicam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions