Coxflam contains meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory taken once daily, commonly as 7.5 mg or 15 mg tablets. It is used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is somewhat gentler on the stomach than older anti-inflammatories, though not free of risk.
What is Coxflam?
Coxflam contains meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The usual strengths are 7.5 mg and 15 mg, and it is a Schedule 3 medicine.
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 the enzyme. COX-1 maintains the stomach lining and supports kidney blood flow — it is the housekeeping one. 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 the same breath.
Meloxicam is preferentially COX-2 selective: at usual amounts it inhibits COX-2 more than COX-1. In practice that means somewhat fewer stomach problems than a non-selective NSAID, without being as fully selective as a true coxib such as the etoricoxib in Exinef.
Two practical consequences. The selectivity fades at higher amounts — at 15 mg the stomach advantage over an older NSAID narrows. And it is once daily, with a long duration of action, which suits a chronic condition better than a medicine taken three times a day.
What is Coxflam commonly used for?
Meloxicam is prescribed for ongoing inflammatory joint conditions:
- Osteoarthritis, for symptomatic relief of pain and stiffness.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, alongside disease-modifying treatment.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory arthritis of the spine.
- Other inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions, in some cases.
Note what is not on that list. Meloxicam is not intended for headache, an occasional strain, or short-term everyday pain — ibuprofen or paracetamol suits those better, and both act faster. Meloxicam’s once-daily, long-acting profile is designed for a condition present every day.
It is also worth being clear about what it treats in arthritis. In osteoarthritis, meloxicam relieves pain and stiffness; it does not repair cartilage or halt the condition. In rheumatoid arthritis it controls symptoms while disease-modifying medicines — methotrexate and others — do the work of preventing joint damage. Someone with rheumatoid arthritis feeling well on meloxicam alone is not adequately treated, and that distinction is worth raising with a rheumatologist if it is unclear.
Alongside the medicine, exercise, weight management and physiotherapy have real evidence in osteoarthritis. They are not consolation advice — they reduce how much medicine is needed.
How Coxflam fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain relief; little anti-inflammatory action |
| Non-selective NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen | Effective; more stomach risk |
| Preferentially COX-2 selective | Meloxicam (Coxflam) | Once daily; somewhat gentler on the stomach |
| COX-2 selective (coxibs) | Etoricoxib (Exinef), celecoxib | 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 Coxflam
Take it once daily with food, at the same time each day, and use the lowest strength that controls your symptoms.
Never combine it with another anti-inflammatory, including over-the-counter ibuprofen and combination painkillers containing one.
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. COX-2 selectivity brings a cardiovascular consideration alongside the stomach benefit.
- You have asthma.
- You have liver disease.
- You take blood thinners, low-dose aspirin, a corticosteroid, an SSRI, 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 rise.
Expect periodic monitoring on long-term treatment — blood pressure, kidney function and, in some cases, 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 the risks accumulate. Meloxicam is usually taken continuously for a chronic condition, which changes the picture from occasional use. Review it periodically: is the current strength still needed, is it still helping, and are there non-medicine measures that could reduce the requirement?
Stomach. Ulcers and bleeding remain possible, and can occur without preceding pain. Anyone at higher risk — previous ulcer, older age, on a steroid or blood thinner — is often 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 — swollen ankles — is worth reporting.
Seek medical attention for stomach pain, vomiting blood or material like 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 Coxflam 7.5 mg used for? Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It contains meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory taken once daily.
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.
What is the difference between 7.5 mg and 15 mg? The strength. Prescribers generally start at 7.5 mg and increase only if needed, since the stomach advantage diminishes at the higher amount.
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 acts faster for occasional pain.
Can I take it with ibuprofen? No. Never combine two anti-inflammatories — the risks add up 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.