Two medicines, side by side
Piroxicam vs meloxicam
Piroxicam and meloxicam are both labeled for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of piroxicam since 1982 and of meloxicam since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.215 per piroxicam 20 mg capsule 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: Piroxicam, “The mechanism of action of piroxicam, 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 piroxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026).
Highlights of the piroxicam record
Piroxicam (Feldene) · label of August 19, 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: indicationsPiroxicam capsules are indicated: For relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. For relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Piroxicam capsules are a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for Relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) ( 1 ) Relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 6, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.215 per capsule
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 (Piroxicam label of August 19, 2026, Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do piroxicam and meloxicam differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Piroxicam, “The mechanism of action of piroxicam, 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: Piroxicam, “The plasma half-life (t ½ ) for piroxicam is approximately 50 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: piroxicam since 1992; meloxicam since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Piroxicam | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | Piroxicam has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of piroxicam, 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) | The plasma half-life (t ½ ) for piroxicam is approximately 50 hours. | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 6, 1982 | April 13, 2000 |
| First generic approved | May 29, 1992 | July 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.215 per capsule (Piroxicam 20 mg capsule) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -0.6% | +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) | 6,345 | 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?
Piroxicam label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of piroxicam 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 piroxicam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions