Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: INDOCIN versus MELOXICAM.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: INDOCIN versus MELOXICAM.
INDOCIN vs MELOXICAM
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, thereby reducing prostaglandin synthesis, which mediates inflammation, pain, and fever. It also decreases renal blood flow and may cause ductus arteriosus closure.
Selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), reducing prostaglandin synthesis and inflammation.
25 mg orally 2-3 times daily; maximum 200 mg/day. Intravenous: 0.5-1 mg/kg as single dose for ductus arteriosus closure.
7.5-15 mg orally once daily; maximum 15 mg/day. For osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis: 7.5 mg once daily, may increase to 15 mg/day if needed. For juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, weight-based dosing.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateMeloxicam + Gatifloxacin
"Meloxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Gatifloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateMeloxicam + Rosoxacin
"Meloxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Rosoxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateMeloxicam + Levofloxacin
"Meloxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Levofloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateMeloxicam + Trovafloxacin
"Meloxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Trovafloxacin."
Terminal elimination half-life approximately 4.5 hours (range 2.6–11.2 hours); prolonged in elderly and patients with hepatic impairment.
Terminal elimination half-life: 15–20 hours. Clinical context: Allows once-daily dosing; steady-state achieved in 3–5 days.
Renal (60% as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates), biliary/fecal (33% via enterohepatic circulation).
Approximately 50% renal excretion of unchanged drug and metabolites; 50% fecal excretion via bile. Renal elimination accounts for ~5% unchanged meloxicam; the remainder as metabolites (primarily oxidative and glucuronide conjugates).
Category C
Category D/X
NSAID
NSAID