Meloxicam

The Basics

What is Meloxicam?

Used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Brand names for Meloxicam

Mobic

How Meloxicam is classified

Analgesic Agents, Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents

Meloxicam During Pregnancy

Meloxicam pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Meloxicam while pregnant

Use of NSAIDs, including MOBIC, during the third trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Avoid use of NSAIDs, including MOBIC, in pregnant women starting at 30 weeks of gestation (third trimester) . There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of MOBIC in pregnant women. Data from observational studies regarding potential embryofetal risks of NSAID use in women in the first or second trimesters of pregnancy are inconclusive. In the general U.S. population, all clinically recognized pregnancies, regardless of drug exposure, have a background rate of 2-4% for major malformations, and 15-20% for pregnancy loss. In animal reproduction studies, embryofetal death was observed in rats and rabbits treated during the period of organogenesis with meloxicam at oral doses equivalent to 0.65- and 6.5-times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of MOBIC. Increased incidence of septal heart defects were observed in rabbits treated throughout embryogenesis with meloxicam at an oral dose equivalent to 78- times the MRHD. In pre- and post-natal reproduction studies, there was an increased incidence of dystocia, delayed parturition, and decreased offspring survival at 0.08-times MRHD of meloxicam. No teratogenic effects were observed in rats and rabbits treated with meloxicam during organogenesis at an oral dose equivalent to 2.6 and 26-times the MRHD . Based on animal data, prostaglandins have been shown to have an important role in endometrial vascular permeability, blastocyst implantation, and decidualization. In animal studies, administration of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, such as meloxicam, resulted in increased pre- and post-implantation loss.

Taking Meloxicam While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Meloxicam?

Because no information is available on the use of meloxicam during breastfeeding, other agents may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Because no information is available on the use of meloxicam during breastfeeding, other agents may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Meloxicam on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Meloxicam

Acetaminophen, Celecoxib, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen, Piroxicam.