Meloxicam
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)
View Brand Names (13)Dose and dosage
0.2 mg/kg initial loading dose PO, SQ, or IV and then 0.1 mg/kg q24h thereafter PO, SQ, or IV.
Oral transmucosal spray (bioequivalent to oral suspension): 0.1 mg/kg sprayed in the dog’s mouth once per day.
0.05 mg/kg q24h PO, with a reduction in dose if chronic treatment is pursued. Long-term treatment may be reduced to 0.03 mg/kg q24h or 0.05 mg/kg q48h to 0.05 mg/kg q72h PO.
• Single doses of 0.15–0.3 mg/kg SQ may be administered for short-term use. The manufacturer does not recommend a second dose of meloxicam injection to cats.
0.4 mg/kg IM, which may be repeated in 24 hours.
0.5 mg/kg q24h IV, IM, or SQ.
1 mg/kg, single dose, IV, IM, SQ, or PO.
0.6 mg/kg q24h IV or PO. In foals younger than 7 weeks of age, the frequency may be increased to 0.6 mg/kg q12h because of more rapid clearance
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Supportive treatment for the Respiratory tract infection, Diarrhea, Acute Mastitis.
control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy and castration when administered prior to surgery.
symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis
in dogs.
In calves oral meloxicam may be a cost-effective
agent to treat painful procedures such as castration or dehorning.
Meloxicam is contraindicated in dogs hypersensitive to it.
Safe use has not been evaluated in dogs less than 6 months old.
Use in cats less than 4 months of age has not been established
Meloxicam has antiinflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity similar to other NSAIDs. Like other NSAIDs, meloxicam exhibits analgesic, antiinflammatory, and antipyretic activity probably through its inhibition of cyclooxygenase, phospholipase A2, and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. It is considered COX-2 preferential (not COX-2 specific) as at higher dosages its COX-2 specificity is diminished.
Pharmacokinetics: In dogs, meloxicam is well absorbed after oral administration. Food does not alter absorption. Peak blood levels occur in about 7–8 hours after
administration. The volume of distribution in dogs is 0.3 L/kg and about 97% is bound to plasma proteins.
Meloxicam is extensively biotransformed to several different metabolites in the liver; none of these appear to have pharmacologic activity. The majority of these (and unchanged drug) are eliminated in the feces. A significant amount of enterohepatic recirculation occurs.
Elimination half-life is species specific. The elimination half-life in dogs averages 24 hours (range: 12–36 hours); other species: pigs: 4 hours;
horses: 3 hours; cattle: 13 hours. In cats, subcutaneous injection is nearly completely absorbed. Peak levels occur about 1.5 hours after injection. Meloxicam is relatively highly bound to feline plasma proteins (97%) and volume of distribution is about 0.27 L/kg. After a single dose, total systemic clearance is approximately 130 mL/hr/kg and elimination half life is approximately 15 hours. Major pathway for biotransformation is oxidation and the major elimination route is fecal. In ruminant calves (approx. 3 months old) oral meloxicam at 1 mg/kg was well absorbed and had an elimination half-life of about one day.
GI distress is the most commonly reported adverse effect, and in US field trials vomiting, soft stools, diarrhea, and inappetence were the most common adverse effects reported. Renal toxicity appears to be quite low. Post-approval adverse effects reported have included GI effects (vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, melena, ulceration), elevated liver enzymes, pruritus, azotemia, elevated creatinine, and renal failure.
In cats, single doses of meloxicam appear relatively safe. In field trials some cats developed elevated BUN, post-treatment anemia and, rarely, residual pain at the injection site. In other studies, meloxicam has caused GI effects (vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence), behavior changes, and lethargy. Repeated use of meloxicam in cats is controversial, as repeated doses have been associated with renal failure and death.
Renal failure and death.
Safe use has not been established in dogs or cats used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating animals. In humans, the FDA categorizes this drug as category C for use during pregnancy (Animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, but there are no adequate studies in humans; or there are no animal reproduction studies and no adequate studies in humans.)
Most NSAIDs are excreted in milk; use cautiously.
Due to its long half-life in dogs, a 5–7 day washout period after stopping meloxicam has been recommended before starting a new NSAID.