Two medicines, side by side
Meloxicam vs sulindac
Meloxicam and sulindac are both labeled for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of meloxicam since 2000 and of sulindac since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.0166 per meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet and $0.189 per sulindac 150 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. 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).”; Sulindac, “, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.”
Check it at the source: the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026); the sulindac FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 20, 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 sulindac record
Sulindac (Clinoril) · label of December 20, 2024
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 ).
Sulindac tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of sulindac and other treatment options before deciding to use sulindac. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). Sulindac is indicated for acute or long-term use in the relief of signs and symptoms of the following: 1. Osteoarthritis 2. Rheumatoid arthritis** 3. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 27, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 7 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.189 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026, Sulindac label of December 20, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do meloxicam and sulindac differ on the record?
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).”; Sulindac, “, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.”
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: meloxicam since 2006; sulindac since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Meloxicam | Sulindac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis |
| 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). | , like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition. |
| 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 | September 27, 1978 |
| First generic approved | July 19, 2006 | March 3, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 7 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) | $0.189 per tablet (Sulindac 150 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 57,757 | 2,402 |
| 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?
Sulindac label, drug interactionsNSAIDs The concomitant use of sulindac with other NSAIDs is not recommended due to the increased possibility of gastrointestinal toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to meloxicam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions