Flexocam is meloxicam, in 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets — an anti-inflammatory for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Its distinguishing feature is that one tablet a day covers a full 24 hours, which suits long-term joint conditions better than a painkiller taken three times daily.

What is Flexocam?

The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Flexocam as Schedule 3 tablets containing meloxicam at 7.5 mg and 15 mg.

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) of the oxicam family. It blocks the COX enzymes that produce prostaglandins — the chemicals causing pain, swelling and stiffness where a joint is inflamed.

Two things set it apart from ibuprofen and diclofenac.

It is preferentially COX-2 selective. Anti-inflammatories block two enzymes: COX-2, which drives inflammation, and COX-1, which protects the stomach lining. Meloxicam blocks COX-2 more than COX-1 — not as completely as a true coxib such as celecoxib, but enough that it causes fewer stomach ulcers than ibuprofen or diclofenac at equivalent doses. The selectivity is dose-dependent, and largely disappears at 15 mg, which is one reason 7.5 mg is preferred where it controls symptoms.

It lasts about 24 hours. Meloxicam has a long half-life, so one tablet daily maintains steady levels. Ibuprofen needs three or four doses a day; diclofenac two or three. For someone taking an anti-inflammatory for months for arthritis, a single daily tablet is a genuine practical advantage and improves how reliably it gets taken.

The trade-off is the same for every anti-inflammatory: raised blood pressure, kidney strain, and a small increase in heart attack and stroke risk with regular use. Meloxicam sits roughly in the middle of the class on cardiovascular risk — better than diclofenac, comparable to ibuprofen at higher doses.

Meloxicam is also sold as Mobic, Melomax and others. The 7.5 mg and 15 mg are the only two strengths, and 15 mg is the maximum daily dose — taking more does not help and substantially raises the risks.

What is Flexocam commonly used for?

Osteoarthritis — the wear-related joint disease of knees, hips, hands and spine. Its commonest use, usually at 7.5 mg.
Rheumatoid arthritis, for pain and stiffness alongside disease-modifying treatment, often at 15 mg.
Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory back conditions, where anti-inflammatories are a mainstay of treatment rather than just symptom relief.
Chronic back and neck pain with an inflammatory component.
Acute gout, in some prescribing.
Frozen shoulder, tendonitis and bursitis.

It is not a rescue painkiller. Meloxicam takes hours to reach effect and is designed for steady daily cover, not for pain that has just started. For a headache or an acute injury, ibuprofen or paracetamol acts faster.

It treats symptoms, not the disease. In rheumatoid arthritis it relieves pain and stiffness while the disease-modifying medicines do the work that changes the outcome. In osteoarthritis, weight loss, strengthening exercise and physiotherapy change the trajectory in a way no anti-inflammatory does — and are worth pursuing alongside rather than instead of asking for a stronger tablet.

For a single painful joint, a topical anti-inflammatory gel is often the better first step, delivering the medicine where it is needed with a fraction of the whole-body exposure.

How Flexocam fits into this medicine category

Group	Examples	Notes
Oxicams	Meloxicam (Flexocam), piroxicam, lornoxicam	Long-acting; once daily
Traditional NSAIDs	Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen	Effective; more stomach risk
COX-2 selective	Celecoxib, etoricoxib	Least stomach risk; cardiovascular caution
Simple analgesics	Paracetamol	Pain and fever; no anti-inflammatory effect; safest
Corticosteroids	Prednisone	Powerful anti-inflammatory, in courses
Disease-modifying	Methotrexate, biologics	Change the course of inflammatory arthritis
Topical NSAIDs	Diclofenac gel	Local effect, far lower risk

See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.

What to check before using Flexocam

Do not take another anti-inflammatory alongside it — no ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen or aspirin at painkilling doses, and check cold and flu products. Doubling NSAIDs multiplies stomach and kidney risk without improving relief.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

Have or have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis or gut bleeding. Lower risk is not no risk.
Have established heart disease, have had a heart attack or stroke, or have heart failure.
Have high blood pressure. NSAIDs raise it and undermine blood pressure treatment.
Have kidney disease or liver disease.
Have asthma triggered by anti-inflammatories, or nasal polyps.
Are over 65, where stomach, kidney and cardiovascular risks all rise substantially.
Have inflammatory bowel disease.
Take warfarin or another blood thinner, low-dose aspirin, steroids, an SSRI antidepressant, an ACE inhibitor, ARB or diuretic, lithium, methotrexate or ciclosporin.
Are pregnant, particularly after 20 weeks, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy — NSAIDs can interfere with ovulation.

Practical points:

Take it once daily with food, at the same time each day.
Start at 7.5 mg where possible. The stomach-sparing selectivity is largely lost at 15 mg.
Do not exceed 15 mg daily. More does not help.
Ask about stomach protection if you have any ulcer risk or need it long term — adding a proton pump inhibitor is standard practice and substantially reduces that risk.
Have blood pressure and kidney function checked if you take it for months.
Drink enough fluid, particularly in hot weather or illness.

Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor

Common effects: indigestion, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness and ankle swelling.

Get emergency help for:

Vomiting blood, or material like coffee grounds.
Black, tarry stools.
Severe abdominal pain.
Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or signs of a stroke — face drooping, arm weakness, difficulty speaking.
Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
A widespread blistering or peeling rash.

Seek prompt advice for:

Persistent indigestion or stomach pain. Do not simply take an antacid and continue — an ulcer can bleed without warning, and this is the commonest way serious harm from an anti-inflammatory develops unnoticed.
Wheezing or worsening asthma.
Swollen ankles, breathlessness on exertion, or sudden weight gain.
Reduced urine output or unusual tiredness.
A rise in blood pressure readings.
A rash or itching.
Bruising or bleeding more easily.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Contact your doctor if pain is not controlled, if you need it continuously for months — which should prompt a review — or if your circumstances change, such as developing heart, kidney or blood pressure problems.

Related medicine guides

Frequently asked questions

What is Flexocam used for? Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and other inflammatory joint conditions. It contains meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory.

What is Flexocam 7.5 mg used for? The same conditions at the lower dose, most often osteoarthritis. It is the preferred starting strength because the stomach-sparing effect is better at 7.5 mg than 15 mg.

What is Flexocam 15 mg used for? The same conditions where 7.5 mg is insufficient — commonly rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is the maximum daily dose.

How often do I take it? Once daily, with food. The long half-life gives about 24 hours of cover, which is its main practical advantage.

Is it gentler on the stomach than ibuprofen? Somewhat. Meloxicam favours COX-2 over COX-1, so it causes fewer ulcers at equivalent doses — but the advantage narrows at 15 mg.

Can I take it with ibuprofen? No. Both are anti-inflammatories, and combining them multiplies risk without improving relief.

Can I take it for a headache? It is not designed for that. It takes hours to work and is meant for steady daily cover. Paracetamol or ibuprofen acts faster.

Can I take it in pregnancy? Ask your doctor. NSAIDs are generally avoided, particularly after 20 weeks.

What Is Flexocam Used For?