Melzy is meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory taken once daily, available as 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets — “Melzy 7” refers to the 7.5 mg strength. It treats osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, and is somewhat gentler on the stomach than older anti-inflammatories.
What is Melzy 7?
Melzy contains meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The “7” in Melzy 7 identifies the 7.5 mg tablet; a 15 mg strength is also available. It is a Schedule 3 medicine, and the same ingredient is sold as Coxflam, Mobic and Mobicox.
Meloxicam blocks cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, reducing the prostaglandins that produce inflammation, swelling and pain. What separates it from ibuprofen or diclofenac is selectivity.
There are two forms of that enzyme. COX-1 is the housekeeping one — it maintains the stomach lining and supports kidney blood flow. COX-2 appears mainly where there is inflammation. Older NSAIDs block both about equally, which is why they relieve inflammation and irritate the stomach in one action.
Meloxicam is preferentially COX-2 selective: at usual amounts it inhibits COX-2 more than COX-1. In practice that means fewer stomach problems than a non-selective NSAID, though it is not as fully selective as a true coxib such as celecoxib.
Two things follow. The selectivity fades as the amount rises — at 15 mg the stomach advantage over an ordinary NSAID narrows appreciably, which is why 7.5 mg is the usual starting point and why prescribers stay there when it works. And it is taken once daily, with a long duration of action, which suits a condition that is present every day.
What is Melzy 7 commonly used for?
Meloxicam is prescribed for ongoing inflammatory joint conditions:
- Osteoarthritis, for pain and stiffness.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, alongside disease-modifying treatment.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory arthritis of the spine.
- Other inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions, in some cases.
It is not intended for headache, an occasional strain, or short-term everyday pain. For those, ibuprofen or paracetamol is more appropriate and works faster — meloxicam’s once-daily, long-acting profile is designed for a persistent condition, not an acute one.
It is also worth being precise about what it does in arthritis. In osteoarthritis, meloxicam relieves pain and stiffness; it does not repair cartilage or slow the condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, it controls symptoms while disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate do the work of preventing joint damage. Someone with rheumatoid arthritis feeling comfortable on meloxicam alone is not adequately treated — worth raising with a rheumatologist if that is unclear.
Exercise, weight management and physiotherapy have genuine evidence in osteoarthritis and reduce how much medicine is needed. They are not filler advice.
How Melzy 7 fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain relief; safest stomach profile |
| Non-selective NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen | Effective; most stomach risk |
| Preferentially COX-2 selective | Meloxicam (Melzy, Coxflam) | Once daily; somewhat gentler on the stomach |
| COX-2 selective (coxibs) | Celecoxib (Celebrex), etoricoxib (Exinef) | Least stomach risk; cardiovascular attention |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Far stronger; short courses or injection |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Melzy 7
Take it once daily with food, at the same time each day, and stay on the lowest strength that controls your symptoms.
Never combine it with another anti-inflammatory — including over-the-counter ibuprofen and combination painkillers such as Mybulen, which contain one already. Doing so removes the stomach advantage entirely.
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if:
- You have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding or reflux. Gentler is not the same as safe.
- You have kidney disease, or become dehydrated easily.
- You have heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or have had a stroke.
- You have liver disease.
- You have asthma.
- You take blood thinners, low-dose aspirin, a corticosteroid, an SSRI antidepressant, a diuretic, an ACE inhibitor, lithium or methotrexate.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding. NSAIDs are generally avoided in pregnancy.
- You are over 65, where stomach and kidney risks are higher.
Expect periodic monitoring on long-term treatment — blood pressure, kidney function, and sometimes blood counts.
Follow the dispensing label. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Long-term use is where risk accumulates. Meloxicam is usually taken continuously for a chronic condition, which is a different proposition from occasional use. Review it periodically: is the strength still right, is it still helping, and could non-medicine measures reduce what you need?
Stomach. Ulcers and bleeding remain possible, sometimes without preceding pain. Anyone at higher risk — a previous ulcer, older age, on a steroid or blood thinner — may be prescribed a stomach-protecting medicine alongside. Take it.
Kidneys. Function can decline, particularly in older people, on blood-pressure medicines, or when dehydrated. During an illness with vomiting or diarrhoea, ask whether to pause it.
Heart and blood pressure. NSAIDs can raise blood pressure and worsen heart failure. Have your blood pressure checked periodically.
Fluid retention — swelling of the ankles — is worth reporting.
If 7.5 mg is working, staying there is sensible, since the stomach advantage narrows at the higher strength.
Seek medical attention for stomach pain, vomiting blood or coffee-ground material, black tarry stools, breathlessness, chest pain, one-sided weakness or slurred speech, marked swelling of the legs or face, significantly reduced urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or a blistering or peeling rash.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Melzy 7 used for? Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It contains meloxicam 7.5 mg, taken once daily.
What does the “7” mean? It identifies the 7.5 mg strength. A 15 mg tablet is also available.
Is it the same as Coxflam or Mobic? Yes — all are brands of meloxicam. The manufacturer differs.
Is it gentler on the stomach than ibuprofen? Somewhat, because it acts more on the inflammation-related enzyme than the stomach-protecting one. That advantage narrows at 15 mg, and the risk is reduced rather than removed.
Can I take it for a headache? It is not intended for that. It is long-acting and designed for daily inflammatory conditions; paracetamol or ibuprofen works faster for occasional pain.
Does it stop arthritis getting worse? No. It relieves pain and stiffness. In rheumatoid arthritis, preventing joint damage requires disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate.