From the Guidelines
The half-life of meloxicam is approximately 20 hours. This information is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which discusses the pharmacologic properties of various drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like meloxicam 1. The half-life of meloxicam is relevant for its dosing regimen, as it allows for once-daily administration.
Key Points About Meloxicam Half-Life
- The half-life of meloxicam is crucial for understanding its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- Meloxicam's half-life is compared to other NSAIDs, which have half-lives ranging from 2 to 6 hours (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, indomethacin), to 7 to 15 hours (celecoxib, naproxen, diflunisal), to approximately 20 hours (meloxicam, nabumetone, piroxicam) 1.
- The relatively long half-life of meloxicam contributes to its effectiveness in managing chronic inflammatory conditions with less frequent dosing.
- Considerations for patients with hepatic or renal impairment may be necessary due to potential alterations in meloxicam's half-life, although specific details on these adjustments are not provided in the referenced study 1.
From the Research
Half-Life of Meloxicam
- The half-life of meloxicam is approximately 20 hours, making it suitable for once-daily administration 2, 3, 4.
- This half-life allows for steady state to be achieved within 3 to 5 days 4.
- Meloxicam is eliminated after biotransformation to 4 pharmacologically inactive metabolites, which are excreted in urine and faeces 3.
- The pharmacokinetic parameters of meloxicam are linear over the entire dose range, with no changes with multiple dosing 4.
Pharmacokinetics
- Meloxicam is almost completely absorbed after oral administration, with a prolonged absorption phase that avoids high initial drug concentrations 4.
- It is bound to plasma proteins by more than 99.5% 4.
- The total plasma clearance of meloxicam is around 7 to 8 ml/min 4.
- Meloxicam is metabolized to four biologically inactive metabolites, with an elimination half-life of around 20 hours 2, 3, 4.
Administration and Dosage
- Meloxicam is typically administered orally, with a single dose of 7.5mg, increased if necessary to a maximum of 15mg daily 5.
- It may also be given by rectal suppository in doses similar to those used orally 5.
- In some cases, meloxicam may be administered intravenously or intramuscularly, followed by a transition to oral administration 6.