- Slow absorption albeit 90% oral bioavailability
- 99% protein bound to albumin
- Metabolised in the liver to inactive metabolites
- Elimination half-life 20hrs
- Excreted equally in urine (50%) and bile (50%)
Meloxicam
Meloxicam
- An 'oxicam' demonstrating preferential (but not exclusive) COX-2 inhibition
- Limited, preferential selectivity for COX-2; 3 - 50x more potent against COX-2 than COX-1
- Available as tablets and suppositories with a daily dose of 7.5mg - 15mg
- Reduced GI side-effects vs. diclofenac (diclofenac itself has reduced GI side-effects vs. indomethacin and aspirin)
- Equivalent renal side-effect profile as other NSAIDs