What is the use of Meloxicam (Mobic)?

From the Guidelines

Meloxicam is recommended for the management of inflammatory arthritis at a dose of 7.5–15 mg daily orally for 4–6 weeks, as an alternative to naproxen, in patients experiencing mild pain with inflammatory symptoms, erythema, or joint swelling. The use of meloxicam in this context is supported by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) toxicity management working group, which suggests its use as an analgesic for patients with grade 1 inflammatory arthritis, characterized by mild pain and inflammatory symptoms 1. Some key points to consider when using meloxicam include:

• The dose can be adjusted based on the patient's response, with a maximum daily dose of 15 mg
• Meloxicam should be used for the shortest duration possible to minimize side effects
• Patients should be monitored for signs of toxicity, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, and increased risk of heart attack or stroke
• Meloxicam may be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as prednisone, if NSAIDs are ineffective
• Regular rheumatologic examinations and functional assessments should be conducted to monitor the patient's response to treatment 1. In terms of its mechanism of action, meloxicam works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes (primarily COX-2) that produce prostaglandins responsible for pain and inflammation. It is essential to weigh the benefits and risks of meloxicam use, particularly in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease, and to consider alternative treatments if necessary.

From the Research

Uses of Meloxicam

• Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the management of:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Acute exacerbations of osteoarthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 2
• It is also used for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with a recommended dose of 7.5mg to 15mg daily 3, 4, 5, 6

Dosage and Administration

• The recommended dose of meloxicam is 7.5mg to 15mg daily, with a maximum dose of 15mg daily 2
• It can be administered orally or by rectal suppository in doses similar to those used orally 2
• In clinical trials, meloxicam has been shown to be effective at doses of 7.5mg to 15mg daily, with improved gastrointestinal tolerability compared to other NSAIDs 3, 4, 5, 6

Mechanism of Action

• Meloxicam is a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is implicated in the inflammatory response 2, 3, 4, 5
• It has anti-inflammatory effects similar to or better than those of other NSAIDs in animal models, with a greater therapeutic ratio (ulcerogenic potential:efficacy in adjuvant arthritis) 5

Safety and Efficacy

• Meloxicam has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis, with a lower incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events compared to other NSAIDs 3, 4, 5, 6
• The incidence of adverse events, including peripheral edema and hypertension, is similar to that of traditional NSAIDs 4