Meloxicam 7.5 mg Dosing Frequency
Meloxicam 7.5 mg should be administered once daily only, not multiple times per day. 1
Standard Dosing Regimen
Meloxicam is dosed once daily regardless of the 7.5 mg or 15 mg strength due to its approximately 20-hour half-life, which makes it ideal for single daily administration 1, 2
The standard starting dose is 7.5 mg once daily, which can be increased to a maximum of 15 mg once daily if needed for adequate symptom control 1
Never exceed 15 mg in a 24-hour period - this is the absolute maximum daily dose 1, 3
Special Population Considerations
Elderly Patients
Maximum dose should be limited to 7.5 mg daily in elderly patients - do not increase to 15 mg 1
Consider lower initial doses and slower titration in elderly patients due to age-related decline in renal function 1
Renal Impairment
NSAIDs including meloxicam should be avoided in patients with GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² 1
Prolonged therapy is not recommended in patients with GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² 1
Temporarily suspend meloxicam during intercurrent illness, planned IV radiocontrast administration, bowel preparation, or prior to major surgery 1
Duration and Monitoring
Treatment Duration Limits
Meloxicam should not be used continuously for more than 2-4 weeks without reassessment, as prolonged NSAID use significantly increases gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal complications 1
For acute pain conditions, NSAID monotherapy should generally not exceed 1 month 1
Continuing NSAID monotherapy beyond 2 months is inappropriate for patients with active arthritis 1
Required Monitoring
Monitor renal function if treatment extends beyond 2 weeks, particularly in elderly patients or those with existing renal impairment 1
Consider gastroprotection with proton pump inhibitors for patients requiring treatment beyond 2 weeks 1
Blood pressure monitoring is warranted as NSAIDs can increase blood pressure by approximately 5 mm Hg with continued use 1
Critical Safety Considerations
Gastrointestinal Risk
Evaluate gastrointestinal risk factors before initiating meloxicam, including history of ulcer, previous GI bleeding, and use of anticoagulants 1
The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases from 1 in 2,100 in adults under 45 years to 1 in 110 in adults over 75 years 1
Concomitant use of anticoagulants increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding five to six times 1
Cardiovascular Risk
Long-term use increases risk of cardiac ischemic events by 3.5 per 1,000 persons 1
Do not ignore cardiovascular risk factors when prescribing meloxicam 1
Common Pitfall to Avoid
The most critical error is attempting to give meloxicam more than once daily. The 20-hour half-life means that multiple daily doses would lead to drug accumulation and increased toxicity risk without additional therapeutic benefit 2. The once-daily dosing is not just convenient—it is the pharmacologically appropriate regimen based on the drug's elimination kinetics.