meloxicam
Brand names: Mobic
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps to reduce pain and swelling.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$10.63/unit
Generic Available
Yes (11 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Meloxicam treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Common side effects
Diarrhea, Upper respiratory infection, Upset stomach
Key warnings
Meloxicam may increase your risk of serious heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal.
How It Works
Meloxicam works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation and pain.
How to Take It
Take meloxicam once a day. You can take it with or without food. Your doctor may start you on 7.5 mg daily. The dose may be increased to 15 mg daily if needed. Do not switch between different meloxicam products, even if the milligram strength is the same.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Using meloxicam between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy may cause kidney problems in the baby, leading to low amniotic fluid. Avoid using meloxicam after 30 weeks of pregnancy because it can cause heart problems in the baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store meloxicam at room temperature (68° to 77°F) in a dry place and in a tightly closed container. Keep out of reach of children.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 37,603 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 55,835 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
55,835
Death-Related Reports
3,542
Hospitalization Reports
13,382
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 5,900 |
| 2 | PAIN | 4,670 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 4,578 |
| 4 | ARTHRALGIA | 4,222 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 3,807 |
| 6 | HEADACHE | 3,323 |
| 7 | DIARRHOEA | 3,226 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 2,663 |
| 9 | DIZZINESS | 2,641 |
| 10 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 2,575 |
| 11 | OFF LABEL USE | 2,569 |
| 12 | MALAISE | 2,486 |
| 13 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 2,336 |
| 14 | RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | 2,235 |
| 15 | VOMITING | 2,234 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Meloxicam may increase your risk of serious heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use. You should not take meloxicam if you are having heart bypass surgery. Meloxicam can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestinal problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can occur without warning. The elderly and those with a history of ulcers are at greater risk.
Known Drug Interactions
Methotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction). Intervention: During concomitant use of meloxicam and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity.
Mechanism: Meloxicam can cause methotrexate to build up in your body to unsafe levels. This can lead to serious issues like low blood cell counts and kidney damage.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs of drug toxicity while you are taking both medications. You may need frequent blood tests to check your kidneys and blood.
NSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of meloxicam 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 )].
Mechanism: Using these two drugs together increases the chance of serious stomach problems like bleeding or ulcers. Combining them does not provide any extra benefit for your pain or swelling.
What to do: This combination should be avoided to protect your stomach. Talk to your healthcare provider about using a single medication instead.
Diuretics Clinical Impact: Clinical studies, as well as post-marketing observations, showed that NSAIDs reduced the natriuretic effect of loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) and thiazide diuretics in some patients. However, studies with furosemide agents and meloxicam have not demonstrated a reduction in natriuretic effect. Furosemide single and multiple dose pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are not affected by multiple doses of meloxicam.
Mechanism: This pain reliever can sometimes block the effects of water pills, making it harder for your body to get rid of extra salt.
What to do: Your doctor should check to see if your water pill is still working effectively while you are on this medication.
Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of meloxicam with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )]. Aspirin Clinical Impact: Controlled clinical studies showed that the concomitant use of NSAIDs and analgesic doses of aspirin does not produce any greater therapeutic effect than the use of NSAIDs alone. In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was associated with...
Mechanism: Combining these medicines increases the risk of stomach bleeding and does not provide any extra pain relief.
What to do: Monitor for signs of bleeding and consult your doctor about whether you need to take both.
ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, or Beta-Blockers Clinical Impact: NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or beta-blockers (including propranolol).
Mechanism: Meloxicam can reduce the blood-pressure-lowering effects of propranolol. This makes your blood pressure medicine less effective.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure closely. They may need to adjust your medication dose.
Common Questions
Can I take meloxicam with aspirin?
Can meloxicam affect my blood pressure?
Can I drink alcohol while taking meloxicam?
What should I do if I experience heartburn while taking meloxicam?
How long does it take for meloxicam to start working?
Can meloxicam cause weight gain?
Is meloxicam a narcotic?
Can I take meloxicam if I have kidney problems?
Can meloxicam cause drowsiness?
Will meloxicam cure my arthritis?
What are the common side effects of meloxicam?
Does meloxicam interact with other medications?
What drug class is meloxicam?
Is meloxicam safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Other drugs grouped near meloxicam — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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Vicodin, Norco
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What the FDA Data Shows for meloxicam
The FDA label for meloxicam (sold under brand names such as Mobic) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Meloxicam treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Upper respiratory infection, Upset stomach.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 37,603 voluntary reports. The database also lists 17 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $10.63.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: August 8, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages