Meloxicam
4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5-methyl-2-thiazolyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide
Also known as: Metacam · Meloxidyl · Loxicom · Mobic · Orocam · Rheumocam · Inflacam · Meloxivet · Meloxicamum
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Jun 3, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Audited v13 dosing evidence
Structured calculator evidenceAnalgesia during gastrointestinal stasis
Verified clinician required
- q24h
Governing clinical context (2)
- Exclude emergent diagnoses (obstruction, enterotoxemia)
- if renal status stable
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Meloxicam is a widely utilized non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belonging to the oxicam class. It is primarily prescribed in veterinary medicine for the management of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, as well as for post-operative pain control.
Key properties include:
- Analgesic: Reduces pain perception.
- Anti-inflammatory: Decreases tissue inflammation.
- Antipyretic: Lowers fever.
Clinical Pearl: Meloxicam is highly favored in small animal practice due to its convenient once-daily dosing and the availability of a highly palatable oral liquid suspension, which allows for precise, easily titrated dosing based on the patient's exact body weight.
Mechanism of action
Meloxicam exerts its therapeutic effects primarily through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for synthesizing prostaglandins from arachidonic acid.
Arachidonic Acid → COX Enzymes → Prostaglandins & Thromboxanes
- COX-1 (Constitutive): Produces prostaglandins that protect the gastric mucosa, maintain normal renal blood flow, and support platelet function.
- COX-2 (Inducible): Upregulated in response to tissue injury and inflammation, producing pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.
Meloxicam is a COX-2 preferential (or COX-2 selective) NSAID at therapeutic doses. This means it preferentially inhibits the COX-2 enzyme, thereby reducing inflammation and pain, while largely sparing the COX-1 enzyme, which theoretically reduces the risk of gastrointestinal and renal side effects compared to non-selective NSAIDs.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Patients with known hypersensitivity to meloxicam or other NSAIDs
- Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding
- Pre-existing renal, hepatic, or cardiovascular dysfunction
- Hypovolemic, dehydrated, or hypotensive patients (increased risk of renal toxicity)
- Concurrent use of other NSAIDs or corticosteroids
- Bleeding disorders
- Impaired hepatic, cardiac, or renal function
- Hemorrhagic disorders
- Hypersensitivity to NSAIDs
- Dehydrated, hypovolemic, or hypotensive animals
Adverse effects
- Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence)
- Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding (melena, hematemesis)
- Renal toxicity (elevated BUN/Creatinine, acute kidney injury)
- Hepatic toxicity (elevated ALT/AST, rare but possible)
- Lethargy or depression
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic enzyme elevation
Precautions
Important Precautions:
- Hydration Status: Ensure patients are well-hydrated and normotensive prior to administration, especially perioperatively, to mitigate the risk of ischemic renal injury.
- Feline Use: In the United States, meloxicam carries a Black Box Warning for cats regarding repeated oral dosing, which has been associated with acute renal failure and death. However, single-dose injections for post-operative pain are approved, and off-label highly titrated, low-dose chronic use is practiced in other countries under strict monitoring.
- Washout Periods: Implement an appropriate washout period (typically 5-7 days) when transitioning a patient from a corticosteroid or another NSAID to meloxicam.
Drug interactions
Significantly increases the risk of severe gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. Concurrent use is strictly contraindicated.
Additive toxicity; increases risk of GI, renal, and hepatic adverse effects. A washout period is required when switching.
May reduce the efficacy of the ACE inhibitor and increase the risk of renal toxicity.
NSAIDs may reduce the diuretic effect of furosemide.
Increased risk of bleeding complications.
Increased risk of severe gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding
Increased risk of gastrointestinal and renal toxicity
Potential reduction in hypotensive effect and increased risk of renal toxicity
Monitoring
- Baseline blood work (CBC, Chemistry panel) prior to initiating chronic therapy
- Renal values (BUN, Creatinine, SDMA, USG)
- Hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP)
- Clinical signs of GI toxicity (vomiting, diarrhea, melena, anorexia)
- Hydration status
- Liver enzymes (ALT, ALP)
- PCV/TP (if GI bleeding suspected)
- Clinical signs of GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea, melena)
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Well absorbed following oral administration. Peak plasma concentrations are typically reached within 2-4 hours in dogs.
Distribution
Highly protein-bound (>97%). Penetrates synovial fluid, reaching concentrations approximately 40-50% of those in blood plasma.
Metabolism
Extensively metabolized in the liver via cytochrome P450 enzymes (oxidation).
Elimination
Excreted primarily as metabolites in feces (biliary excretion) and urine.
Overdose
Overdose Management:
Overdosage of meloxicam increases the risk of severe gastrointestinal ulceration, acute renal failure, and hepatic toxicity.
- Recent Ingestion (< 2 hours): Induce emesis (if no contraindications) followed by the administration of activated charcoal to prevent further absorption.
- Gastrointestinal Protection: Initiate GI protectants such as sucralfate, H2-receptor antagonists (e.g., famotidine), or proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole).
- Renal Protection: Administer intravenous fluid therapy (e.g., Lactated Ringer's or 0.9% NaCl) at diuresis rates for 48-72 hours to support renal perfusion and flush the kidneys.
- Monitoring: Monitor baseline and daily renal panel (BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorus), PCV/TP, and liver enzymes.
Available products
Formulations
- Oral suspension (0.5 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL)
- Injectable solution (5 mg/mL)
- Tablets (1 mg, 2.5 mg, 7.5 mg, 15 mg)
- Transmucosal oral spray
- 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension (cats)
- 1.5 mg/ml oral suspension (dogs)
- 1.0 mg tablet (dogs)
- 2.5 mg tablet (dogs)
- 2 mg/ml injectable solution (cats)
Veterinary
- Metacam 1.5 mg/mL Oral Suspension (Dogs)
- Metacam 0.5 mg/mL Oral Suspension (Cats/Dogs)
- Metacam 5 mg/mL Injectable Solution
- Meloxidyl 1.5 mg/mL Oral Suspension
- Loxicom Oral Suspension
- Orocam Transmucosal Spray
- Inflacam
- Meloxivet
- Rheumocam
Human-labeled
- Mobic 7.5 mg Tablets
- Mobic 15 mg Tablets
- Generic meloxicam tablets and capsules
Regulatory status
Withdrawal times: pig meat 5 days · cattle meat 15 days · horse meat 5 days
POM-V status in the UK/EU.
POM-V
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store at controlled room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F). Keep oral suspensions tightly closed. Do not freeze.
Client information
Important Guidelines for Your Pet's Medication:
- Give with Food: Always administer meloxicam with a meal or immediately after eating to help prevent stomach upset.
- Use the Correct Syringe: If using the liquid form, only use the dosing syringe provided with the medication to ensure the exact dose is given.
- Watch for Side Effects: Stop giving the medication immediately and contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- Loss of appetite or refusing to eat
- Lethargy, depression, or unusual behavior
- Increased drinking or urination
CRITICAL WARNING: NEVER give your pet human pain relievers (such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen/Advil, Tylenol/Acetaminophen) or any other veterinary pain medications while they are taking meloxicam. Combining these can cause fatal stomach ulcers or kidney failure.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.