Melzy contains meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory painkiller, in 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets. It is used mainly for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is taken once daily, and it is somewhat gentler on the stomach than older anti-inflammatories — though the usual NSAID cautions still apply.
What is Melzy?
Melzy is Schedule 3 in South Africa:
| Product | Contains |
|---|---|
| Melzy 7.5 mg | Meloxicam 7.5 mg |
| Melzy 15 mg | Meloxicam 15 mg |
Meloxicam is also sold in South Africa under other names, including Melzy-7 and generic meloxicam. Being dispensed one rather than another is ordinary generic substitution.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam family. It blocks cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes, which the body uses to make prostaglandins — the messengers driving inflammation, swelling, pain signalling and fever.
Two features distinguish meloxicam:
- It is partially COX-2 preferential. Traditional NSAIDs block both COX-1 — which maintains the stomach lining and normal kidney blood flow — and COX-2, which drives inflammation. Meloxicam favours COX-2 at lower doses, so it tends to be somewhat gentler on the stomach than ibuprofen or diclofenac. This is a tendency, not a guarantee, and the preference diminishes at the 15 mg dose.
- It is long-acting, so once daily is enough — a genuine practical advantage in arthritis, where steady all-day control matters more than fast onset.
That long duration also means it is not a good choice for acute pain. For a headache or a sudden injury, a faster-acting NSAID such as ibuprofen works sooner.
The 7.5 mg dose is the usual starting point, increased to 15 mg only if needed — worth knowing, because the stomach advantage is greatest at the lower dose.
What is Melzy commonly used for?
- Osteoarthritis, for pain and stiffness — the most common use.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, for symptom control alongside disease-modifying treatment.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, for spinal pain and stiffness.
- Other inflammatory joint conditions, where an anti-inflammatory is appropriate.
- Musculoskeletal pain, in some cases.
It relieves symptoms. In arthritis it does not slow joint damage, and it does not modify the underlying disease.
Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time that works. With NSAIDs this is not routine caution — most harm accumulates with dose and duration, so long-term use should be reviewed periodically rather than simply repeated.
In osteoarthritis, non-medicine measures do more than most people expect. Weight loss where relevant, strengthening exercise, and activity pacing all have good evidence, and a topical NSAID gel is a reasonable option for a single accessible joint — with far less systemic exposure.
How Melzy fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol | Pain and fever; minimal anti-inflammatory effect |
| Non-selective NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen | Pain and inflammation; higher stomach risk |
| COX-2 preferential | Meloxicam (Melzy) | Once daily; somewhat gentler on the stomach |
| COX-2 selective | Etoricoxib, celecoxib | Anti-inflammatory, gentler still on the stomach |
| Topical NSAIDs | Diclofenac gel | Local relief, much less systemic exposure |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, given as courses |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Melzy
Do not take it with another anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, mefenamic acid and aspirin are all NSAIDs. Combining them multiplies stomach bleeding risk without improving relief — and they hide in combination cold, flu and period-pain products.
Take it with food or after eating, at the same time each day.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor first if you:
- Have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis or bleeding in the gut. The reduced risk is relative, not absent.
- Have heart failure, high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
- Have kidney disease, or are dehydrated.
- Have liver disease.
- Have asthma. A minority of people with asthma wheeze significantly on NSAIDs.
- Are over 65, where stomach and kidney risks rise.
- Are pregnant. NSAIDs are generally avoided, particularly from around 20 weeks and definitely in the third trimester.
- Are breastfeeding.
- Take warfarin or another blood thinner.
- Take an ACE inhibitor or ARB with a diuretic — that combination plus an NSAID is a recognised cause of acute kidney injury.
- Take low-dose aspirin for your heart, lithium, methotrexate, or an SSRI antidepressant.
For long-term use, expect periodic review of blood pressure, kidney function and whether it is still needed.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are indigestion, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness and swelling of the ankles.
Stop and seek medical attention urgently if you notice:
- Vomiting blood, or vomit resembling coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry stools.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Chest pain, breathlessness, or sudden one-sided weakness or slurred speech — seek emergency care.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- Sudden wheezing, particularly with asthma.
- A spreading rash, blistering or peeling skin, or sores in the mouth — serious skin reactions are recognised with oxicam NSAIDs.
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Much less urine than usual, or marked swelling of the ankles.
Serious stomach bleeding can develop without warning pain first, which is why the bleeding signs matter even when you feel otherwise well.
See a doctor if pain is not controlled, if you need it continuously, or if your circumstances change — particularly blood pressure, kidney function or heart health.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What are Melzy tablets used for? Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis — pain, swelling and stiffness. It contains meloxicam.
What is Melzy 15 used for? The higher strength, used where 7.5 mg has not been enough. The stomach advantage is greatest at the lower dose.
How is it different from ibuprofen? It is taken once daily rather than several times, and it favours COX-2 at lower doses, so it tends to be gentler on the stomach. It is slower to act, so less suited to sudden pain.
Is it safer than other anti-inflammatories? Somewhat gentler on the stomach at lower doses. The cardiovascular and kidney cautions are the same, so it is not a safer NSAID overall.
Can I take it with paracetamol? They are different medicines and are sometimes used together on advice. Do not combine it with another anti-inflammatory.
Can I take it for a headache? It is not well suited to acute pain, being long-acting and slower to start. A faster NSAID or paracetamol is more appropriate.
Can I take it long term? Some people do, under review. Use the lowest effective dose, and have blood pressure and kidney function checked periodically.
Is it safe in pregnancy? Generally avoided, particularly from around 20 weeks. Paracetamol is usually preferred — confirm with your doctor.