Two medicines, side by side
Oxaprozin vs meloxicam
Oxaprozin and meloxicam are both labeled for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of oxaprozin since 1992 and of meloxicam since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.475 per oxaprozin 600 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. How each works, in its label's words: Oxaprozin, “The mechanism of action of oxaprozin, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).”; 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).”
Check it at the source: the oxaprozin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 26, 2024); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026).
Highlights of the oxaprozin record
Oxaprozin (Daypro) · label of December 26, 2024
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: indicationsOxaprozin tablets are indicated: For relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis For relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis For relief of the signs and symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Oxaprozin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for: Relief of signs and symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA). (1) Relief of signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 29, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 7 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.475 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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 (Oxaprozin label of December 26, 2024, Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do oxaprozin and meloxicam differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Oxaprozin, “The mechanism of action of oxaprozin, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).”; 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).”
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Half-life, in each label's words: Oxaprozin, “Upon chronic dosing, the accumulation half-life is approximately 22 hours.”; 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: oxaprozin since 2001; meloxicam since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Oxaprozin | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | Oxaprozin has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of oxaprozin, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). | 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) | Upon chronic dosing, the accumulation half-life is approximately 22 hours. | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 29, 1992 | April 13, 2000 |
| First generic approved | January 31, 2001 | July 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 7 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.475 per tablet (Oxaprozin 600 mg tablet) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +0.8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 883 | 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?
Oxaprozin label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of oxaprozin 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 oxaprozin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions