What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Diclofenac and meloxicam
Diclofenac's FDA label (Licart) of April 2, 2026 names meloxicam in its drug interactions section; meloxicam's label does not name diclofenac itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The diclofenac label: “Concomitant use of LICART and pemetrexed may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity.”
Check it at the source: the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025, Haleon US Holdings LLC); the meloxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026, PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
What does the diclofenac label say about meloxicam?
Licart label (IBSA Pharma Inc., April 2, 2026), drug interactionsPemetrexed Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of LICART and pemetrexed may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity (…). … absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration.
Source: FDA drug label (Licart, NDA206976), IBSA Pharma Inc., effective April 2, 2026 (SPL set 851c8b39-6056-4bbc-812e-b9b13977c1ac), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Flector, NDA021234), IBSA Pharma Inc., effective October 21, 2025 (SPL set 1f19a016-c4fc-43c5-9990-e5f2e2776a82), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Zipsor, NDA022202), Assertio Specialty Pharmaceuticals LLC, effective March 1, 2026 (SPL set ed2a8868-78eb-47b8-8f46-0f70e2891e07), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Voltaren Arthritis Pain), Haleon US Holdings LLC, effective February 11, 2025 (SPL set 30a94282-0892-442a-aa10-6525cbd4fe88), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the meloxicam label say about diclofenac?
Meloxicam's label does not name diclofenac itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Meloxicam label, boxed warningGastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Meloxicam label, boxed warningThis risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use (5.1) Meloxicam tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (4, 5.1) NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Source: FDA drug label (MELOXICAM), PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective January 29, 2026 (SPL set 19c13159-71f1-2427-e063-6394a90ad44e), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Diclofenac | Meloxicam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0619 per tablet 75 mg tablet | $0.0166 per tablet 7.5 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once