Two medicines, side by side
Tramadol vs meloxicam
Tramadol and meloxicam are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of tramadol since 1995 and of meloxicam since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.0248 per tramadol HCl 50 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. In FDA's classes, tramadol is an opioid agonist and meloxicam a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the tramadol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 5, 2026); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026).
Highlights of the tramadol record
Tramadol (Ultram) · label of March 5, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE EXTENDED-RELEASE TABLETS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsTramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet is indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid analgesic and that cannot be adequately treated with alternative options, including immediate-release opioids. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 3, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0248 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
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 (Tramadol label of March 5, 2026, Meloxicam label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tramadol and meloxicam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, tramadol is an opioid agonist and meloxicam a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
How each works, in its label's words: Tramadol, “Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet contains tramadol, an opioid agonist and an inhibitor of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.”; 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 labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: tramadol since 2002; meloxicam since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: tramadol CIV; meloxicam none.
| Tramadol | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Opioid Agonist | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet contains tramadol, an opioid agonist and an inhibitor of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. | 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) | n/a | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) ranges from 15 hours to 20 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 3, 1995 | April 13, 2000 |
| First generic approved | June 19, 2002 | July 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 39 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0248 per tablet (Tramadol HCl 50 mg tablet) | $0.0166 per tablet (Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -1% | +0.8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 37,421 | 57,757 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | 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?
Tramadol label, warnings and precautionsRisks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to tramadol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions