Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory taken once daily, dispensed as 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets. It treats osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is somewhat gentler on the stomach than older anti-inflammatories, and the advantage is greatest at the lower strength.
What is Meloxicam?
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a Schedule 3 medicine in South Africa. It is dispensed under its own name and as Coxflam, Melzy, Mobic and Mobicox.
Meloxicam blocks cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, reducing the prostaglandins that drive inflammation, swelling and pain. What distinguishes 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 is produced mainly at sites of inflammation. Older NSAIDs block both roughly equally, which is why they relieve inflammation and irritate the stomach in a single action.
Meloxicam is preferentially COX-2 selective: at usual amounts it inhibits COX-2 more than COX-1. That means fewer stomach problems than a non-selective NSAID, without being as fully selective as a true coxib such as celecoxib.
Two practical consequences.
The selectivity is dose-dependent. At 7.5 mg the stomach advantage is meaningful; at 15 mg it narrows appreciably. That is why prescribers start at 7.5 mg and stay there when it works — and why “just taking two” is not a neutral decision.
It is long-acting, taken once daily, which suits a condition present every day.
What is Meloxicam 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, period pain or short-term everyday pain. For those, ibuprofen or paracetamol works faster and is more appropriate — meloxicam’s slow, once-daily profile is designed for a persistent condition, not an acute one.
Be clear about what it does in arthritis. In osteoarthritis it relieves pain and stiffness; it does not repair cartilage or slow the condition’s progress. 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 — a point worth raising with a rheumatologist if it is unclear.
Exercise, weight management and physiotherapy have genuine evidence in osteoarthritis and reduce how much medicine is needed. Losing weight in particular substantially reduces load on knees and hips.
How Meloxicam 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 | Once daily; somewhat gentler on the stomach |
| COX-2 selective (coxibs) | Celecoxib, 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 Meloxicam
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 or Gen-Payne, 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, where a minority react badly to NSAIDs.
- 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, particularly the third trimester.
- 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 — 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, or in extreme heat, ask whether to pause it — dehydration plus an NSAID is hard on the kidneys.
Heart and blood pressure. NSAIDs can raise blood pressure and worsen heart failure. Have your blood pressure checked periodically.
Fluid retention — swollen ankles — is worth reporting.
Seek medical attention for stomach pain, vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds, 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 meloxicam 15 mg used for? Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is taken once daily.
What is the difference between 7.5 mg and 15 mg? The strength — and the stomach advantage is greater at 7.5 mg, which is why prescribers start there and stay if it works.
Is it gentler on the stomach than ibuprofen? Somewhat, because it acts more on the inflammation-related enzyme than the stomach-protecting one. The risk is reduced rather than removed.
Can I take it for a headache or period pain? It is not intended for that. It is long-acting and designed for daily inflammatory conditions; ibuprofen or paracetamol works faster for occasional pain.
Can I take it with ibuprofen? No. Combining two anti-inflammatories removes the stomach advantage and adds risk without improving relief.
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.