Meloxicam
Meloxicam is an oxicam nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity. It is used for musculoskeletal and perioperative pain, with additional species-specific uses in livestock.
Oral absorption is high in dogs and horses, and plasma protein binding is extensive. Elimination differs between species and is faster in young foals than in adult horses.
Repeated treatment in cats requires particular care: some product labels prohibit further oral or injectable doses after a single injection because acute renal failure and death have occurred. Other feline formulations support defined oral courses. These are distinct treatment plans and must not be combined.
Assess hydration, gastrointestinal history and renal function before treatment; monitor appetite, vomiting, faecal blood, water intake, creatinine, urea and urine concentration during prolonged use. Food-animal withdrawal intervals and competition restrictions depend on the actual product and regimen; no universal interval applies.
Group
Oxicam nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Mechanism of Action
Inhibition of cyclooxygenase reduces prostaglandin production and the resulting inflammatory pain, swelling and fever. Meloxicam preferentially inhibits COX-2 relative to COX-1, but does not eliminate gastrointestinal or renal toxicity.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Loading | 0.2 mg/kg | PO | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation |
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Maintenance | 0.1 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Begin 24 hours after the initial oral or injectable treatment. Reassess if no improvement by day 10. |
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Loading | 0.2 mg/kg | SC | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Continue with oral treatment if further analgesia is needed. |
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Loading | 0.2 mg/kg | IV | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Extra-label route for this indication; distinguish from perioperative injection. |
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Maintenance | 0.1 mg/kg | SC, IV | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Reference only: repeated injectable maintenance is a formulary regimen; the checked injectable label instead directs oral continuation. |
| Perioperative pain and inflammation | 0.2 mg/kg | IV, SC | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Administer before surgery, for example at induction of anaesthesia. |
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Maintenance | 0.1 mg/kg | OTM | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Use the dedicated oral transmucosal spray; do not substitute an injectable or oral suspension through a spray device. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perioperative pain without oral follow-up | 0.3 mg/kg | SC | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation, Body weight below 2 kg for the 5 mg/mL injection; Administer before surgery. Do not give further oral or injectable meloxicam under this single-injection treatment plan. |
| Perioperative pain with oral follow-up — Initial | 0.2 mg/kg | SC | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation, Body weight below 2 kg for the 5 mg/mL injection; Administer before surgery; use only the specific feline treatment plan that permits subsequent oral dosing. |
| Perioperative pain with oral follow-up — Maintenance | 0.05 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 4 days; Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Start 24 hours after the initial injection; at most four oral follow-up doses. Do not combine with the injection-only plan. |
| Short-term pain and inflammation | 0.15–0.3 mg/kg | SC | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation, Body weight below 2 kg for the 5 mg/mL injection; Reference only: historical formulary range. Verified product regimens distinguish exact injection doses by whether oral follow-up is permitted; do not select an arbitrary point in this range. |
| Acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Loading | 0.2 mg/kg | PO | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Use the feline oral formulation and a treatment plan that permits repeated dosing. |
| Acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Maintenance | 0.05 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Begin the day after the initial dose. For chronic disease, reassess if no improvement by day 14. |
| Chronic musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Loading | 0.1 mg/kg | PO | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Use the feline oral formulation and a treatment plan that permits repeated dosing. |
| Chronic musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Maintenance | 0.05 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Begin the day after the initial dose. For chronic disease, reassess if no improvement by day 14. |
| Chronic musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Maintenance | 0.03 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Reference only: reduced-dose alternative after response to treatment; assess analgesic efficacy individually. Do not add to another maintenance regimen. |
| Chronic musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — Maintenance | 0.05 mg/kg | PO | Every 48–72 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks, Pregnancy or lactation; Reference only: an extended-interval alternative after response to treatment. Choose an individual interval; do not combine with daily maintenance. |
| Chronic pain with stable early kidney disease — Maintenance | 0.01–0.03 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Acute kidney injury or unstable or advanced kidney disease, Impaired hepatic or cardiac function, Pregnancy or lactation; Reference only: extra-label specialist exception for carefully selected, well-hydrated cats with stable early kidney disease. Use the lowest effective dose with repeated renal and clinical assessment. Standard product contraindications still apply outside this exception. |
Pigs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locomotor pain or adjunctive mastitis-metritis-agalactia treatment | 0.4 mg/kg | IM | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function; Use appropriate antibiotics for infectious disease. One additional administration may be given after 24 hours if required; not an open-ended daily course. |
Cattle
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunctive pain and inflammation control | 0.5 mg/kg | IV, SC | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Calves below one week when treating diarrhoea; Use alongside appropriate treatment for respiratory infection, acute mastitis or diarrhoea. For dehorning, administer beforehand and provide local procedural analgesia. |
| Adjunctive pain and inflammation control | 0.5 mg/kg | IV, IM, SC | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function; Reference only: repeated daily formulary regimen. The checked 20 mg/mL product supports a single injection by the specified routes; repeat treatment and withdrawal requirements require a separate prescribing decision. |
Sheep
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain and inflammation | 1 mg/kg | IV, IM, SC, PO | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function; Extra-label regimen. Evidence for duration of analgesia varies; no repeat schedule is inferred from a single administration. |
Goats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain and inflammation | 1 mg/kg | IV, PO | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function; Extra-label regimen. Evidence for duration of analgesia varies; no repeat schedule is inferred from a single administration. |
| Pain and inflammation | 1 mg/kg | IM, SC | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function; Reference only: extra-label small-ruminant regimen; this exact dose and route were not independently corroborated for goats. |
Horses
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation | 0.6 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 14 days; Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks for the standard Metacam regimen, Pregnant or lactating mares; May begin the day after an initial injection. Shake the suspension; administer directly or with a small amount of food. |
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation | 0.6 mg/kg | IV | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks for the standard Metacam regimen, Pregnant or lactating mares; Oral treatment may follow the next day when continued analgesia is needed. |
| Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation | 0.6 mg/kg | IV | Every 24 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks for the standard Metacam regimen, Pregnant or lactating mares; Reference only: repeated injectable formulary regimen; the checked injectable product specifies a single injection followed by oral continuation. |
| Colic pain | 0.6 mg/kg | IV | Once | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function, Age below 6 weeks for the standard Metacam regimen, Pregnant or lactating mares; Re-evaluate promptly if pain relief is inadequate, including assessment for a surgical cause. |
| Pain and inflammation in young foals | 0.6 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | Up to 21 days; Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function; Extra-label research-based regimen for young foals. Published pharmacokinetic and safety data concern the oral route in healthy foals younger than 6 weeks; do not extrapolate safety to compromised neonates. |
| Pain and inflammation in young foals | 0.6 mg/kg | IV | Every 12 h | Do not use in: Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension, Concurrent NSAID or corticosteroid treatment, Impaired renal, hepatic or cardiac function; Reference only: the formulary mentions increased frequency in foals younger than 7 weeks, but independently checked young-foal evidence supports oral administration, not this repeated intravenous schedule. |
Indications
- Acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, including canine and feline osteoarthritis.
- Perioperative pain and inflammation in dogs and cats.
- Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation in horses; injectable formulations also have a role in equine colic.
- Adjunctive treatment of acute respiratory disease, acute mastitis and diarrhoea in eligible cattle, alongside appropriate antimicrobial or rehydration treatment.
- Reduction of post-dehorning pain in calves; additional local analgesia is needed during the procedure.
- Locomotor pain and adjunctive treatment of mastitis-metritis-agalactia syndrome in pigs.
- Extra-label analgesia in sheep and goats; species- and route-specific evidence varies.
- Extra-label pain and inflammation management in selected birds, reptiles and zoo species; no general dose is established here.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to meloxicam or formulation excipients.
- Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, or a haemorrhagic disorder.
- Dehydration, hypovolaemia or hypotension until corrected.
- Impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function is excluded by the standard product regimens. Specialist low-dose treatment in selected cats with stable early kidney disease is a separate, individually assessed exception, not evidence of unrestricted renal safety.
- Concurrent treatment with another NSAID or a systemic corticosteroid.
- Do not use the listed standard dog or cat Metacam regimens in animals younger than 6 weeks; the 5 mg/mL injectable product also excludes cats weighing less than 2 kg. Product age restrictions can be stricter.
- The listed companion-animal Metacam regimens exclude pregnancy and lactation; equine Metacam excludes pregnant or lactating mares. This restriction must not be extended automatically to cattle and pigs.
- Standard equine Metacam regimens exclude foals younger than 6 weeks. The young-foal research regimen is a separate extra-label use.
- The cattle diarrhoea indication excludes calves younger than one week.
Interactions
- Other NSAIDs and corticosteroids increase gastrointestinal injury and bleeding risk. Allow an appropriate washout based on the preceding drug; 24 hours is a minimum stated in some labels, not a universal sufficient washout.
- Diuretics and ACE inhibitors can increase renal risk and may have reduced clinical effects.
- Avoid concurrent nephrotoxic medicines, including aminoglycosides.
- Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk; highly protein-bound drugs may alter exposure through binding competition.
Adverse effects
- Anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Gastrointestinal ulceration, haematemesis, melaena or intestinal bleeding.
- Acute kidney injury, particularly with dehydration, renal compromise or repeated excessive exposure.
- Elevated hepatic enzymes and possible hepatic injury.
- Transient injection-site pain or swelling; rare serious hypersensitivity or anaphylactoid reactions.
- In horses, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, colitis and protein loss can occur.
Toxicity
Excessive exposure can cause gastrointestinal ulceration, haemorrhage, renal injury and death. Cats have a narrow safety margin; repeated administration has caused fatal acute renal failure. In horses, several-fold overdoses have produced gastrointestinal injury, renal injury and reduced plasma protein. Stop treatment when toxicity is suspected and provide supportive care with attention to hydration, gastrointestinal injury and renal function; there is no specific antidote.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melonex 5 mg/mL injection The verified livestock product specifies IV or SC administration for cattle and IM administration for pigs; routes are species-specific. | Injection | 5 mg / mL | IV, SC, IM |
| Melonex 1.5 mg/mL oral suspension | Oral Liquid | 1.5 mg / mL | PO |
| Metaflam 1 mg chewable tablets Canine product. | Tablet | 1 mg / tablet | PO |
| Metaflam 2.5 mg chewable tablets Canine product. | Tablet | 2.5 mg / tablet | PO |
| Metaflam 1.5 mg/mL oral suspension Canine product. | Oral Liquid | 1.5 mg / mL | PO |
| Metacam 0.5 mg/mL oral suspension for cats and guinea pigs Use the feline measuring device for cats; not interchangeable by volume with the stronger canine or equine suspensions. | Oral Liquid | 0.5 mg / mL | PO |
| Metacam 1.5 mg/mL oral suspension for dogs Canine formulation; do not substitute this product for the feline suspension. | Oral Liquid | 1.5 mg / mL | PO |
| Metacam 5 mg/mL solution for injection for dogs and cats SC use in dogs and cats; IV use is specified for canine perioperative treatment. Not for feline IV administration. | Injection | 5 mg / mL | SC, IV |
| Metacam 20 mg/mL solution for injection for cattle, pigs and horses Cattle: SC or IV. Pigs: IM. Horses: IV. The route list is not permission to use every route in every species. | Injection | 20 mg / mL | SC, IV, IM |
| Metacam 15 mg/mL oral suspension for horses Equine suspension; shake before administration. | Oral Liquid | 15 mg / mL | PO |
