Recommended Dosage of Meloxicam for Arthritis
For adults with arthritis, meloxicam should be administered at a starting dose of 7.5 mg once daily, with the option to increase to 15 mg once daily if needed for adequate symptom control. 1
Dosing Guidelines
- For mild pain with inflammatory symptoms in arthritis, meloxicam 7.5-15 mg daily orally is recommended for 4-6 weeks 1
- The standard starting dose is 7.5 mg once daily, which may be increased to a maximum of 15 mg daily if necessary 2
- For elderly patients, the maximum recommended dose remains at 7.5 mg daily due to increased risk of adverse effects 2
- Once-daily dosing is sufficient due to meloxicam's pharmacokinetic profile 2
Efficacy Considerations
- Meloxicam at 7.5 mg and 15 mg daily doses has demonstrated statistically significant efficacy compared to placebo in treating osteoarthritis symptoms 3
- The 7.5 mg dose shows comparable efficacy to naproxen 750 mg in rheumatoid arthritis patients 4
- Efficacy is typically evident after 2 weeks of treatment and is maintained with continued use 3
- Lower doses (3.75 mg) may not always reach statistical significance for all efficacy endpoints 3
Safety Profile
- Meloxicam has a more favorable gastrointestinal (GI) safety profile compared to traditional NSAIDs like piroxicam and diclofenac 5
- The incidence of GI adverse events with meloxicam 7.5 mg is comparable to placebo and lower than with diclofenac 3
- Long-term studies (up to 18 months) with meloxicam 15 mg daily show maintained efficacy with acceptable safety profile 6
- Meloxicam is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, which may contribute to its improved GI tolerability 2, 5
Important Precautions
- NSAIDs including meloxicam should be used at the minimum effective dose for the shortest time possible 1
- Prior to initiating therapy, evaluate gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular risk factors 1
- Consider using a proton pump inhibitor for GI prophylaxis in high-risk patients 1
- Meloxicam should not be used in combination with other NSAIDs 1
Special Populations
- For elderly patients, maintain the dose at 7.5 mg daily 2
- In juvenile idiopathic arthritis, meloxicam is listed among effective NSAIDs, though specific pediatric dosing was not provided in the evidence 1
- Patients with renal impairment may require dose adjustment and careful monitoring 2
Monitoring
- Regular assessment of efficacy and adverse effects is recommended during treatment 1
- Monitor for signs of GI toxicity, particularly in high-risk patients 5
- Assess renal function periodically, as meloxicam shows less impact on serum creatinine and urea compared to other NSAIDs but monitoring is still advised 4
Remember that meloxicam should be considered as adjunctive therapy to disease-modifying treatments in inflammatory arthritis conditions, not as monotherapy for long-term management 1.