Two medicines, side by side
Nabumetone vs meloxicam
Nabumetone and meloxicam are both labeled for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nabumetone since 1991 and of meloxicam since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.128 per nabumetone 500 mg tablet and $0.0166 per meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Nabumetone's other strengths are brand-only: $31.67 per Relafen ds 1,000 mg tablet.
Check it at the source: the nabumetone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 13, 2025); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026).
Highlights of the nabumetone record
Nabumetone (Relafen) · label of January 13, 2025
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 ]. Nabumetone 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 nabumetone tablets, USP and other treatment options before deciding to use nabumetone tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). Nabumetone tablets, USP are indicated for relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 24, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.128 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nabumetone label of January 13, 2025, Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nabumetone and meloxicam differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Half-life, in each label's words: Nabumetone, “7% –unidentified minor metabolites 34% Total % Dose: 73% Following oral administration of dosages of 1,000 mg to 2,000 …”; Meloxicam, “The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: nabumetone since 2000; meloxicam since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nabumetone | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | 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). |
| Half-life (label) | 7% –unidentified minor metabolites 34% Total % Dose: 73% Following oral administration of dosages of 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg to steady state, the mean plasma clearance of 6MNA is 20 to 30 mL/min and the elimination … | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 24, 1991 | April 13, 2000 |
| First generic approved | May 26, 2000 | July 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 28 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.128 per tablet (Nabumetone 500 mg tablet) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | +0.8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 6,395 | 57,757 |
| 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?
Nabumetone label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of nabumetone tablets and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to nabumetone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions