Mobic-Generic

Am J Vet Res. 2004 Oct;65(10):1384-90.
Effect of meloxicam and carprofen on renal function when administered to healthy dogs prior to anesthesia and painful stimulation.
Crandell DE, Mathews KA, Dyson DH.
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether administration of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs meloxicam or carprofen to healthy dogs that were subsequently anesthetized and subjected to painful electrical stimulation has adverse effects on renal function as measured by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and evaluation of serum concentrations of urea and creatinine. ANIMALS: 6 male and 6 female healthy young-adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: A study was conducted in accordance with a randomized crossover Latin-square design. One of 3 treatments (saline [0.9% NaCl] solution, 0.2 mg of meloxicam/kg, or 4.0 mg of carprofen/kg) was administered i.v. 1 hour before anesthesia was induced by use of drugs in accordance with a standard anesthetic protocol (butorphanol tartrate and acepromazine maleate as preanesthetic medications, ketamine hydrochloride and diazepam for induction, and maintenance with isoflurane). Anesthetized dogs were subjected to intermittent electrical stimulation for 30 minutes. Direct, mean arterial blood pressure; heart rate; and respiratory rate were monitored. End-tidal isoflurane concentration was maintained at 1.5 times the minimum alveolar concentration. The GFR, as measured by plasma clearance of 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and serum concentrations of serum and creatinine were determined 24 hours after induction of anesthesia. RESULTS: Neither meloxicam nor carprofen significantly affected GFR or serum concentrations of urea and creatinine, compared with values for the saline treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When administered 1 hour before onset of anesthesia and painful electrical stimulation, meloxicam or carprofen did not cause clinically important alterations of renal function in young healthy dogs.

GENERIC NAME: meloxicam
BRAND NAME: Mobic

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Meloxicam is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and are used to treat pain and/or inflammation. Prostaglandins are chemicals that contribute to inflammation within joints, and it is the inflammation that leads to the common symptoms of pain, tenderness and swelling associated with arthritis. Meloxicam blocks the enzymes that make prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase 1 and 2) and reduces the levels of prostaglandins. As a result, inflammation and its accompanying symptoms are reduced. Meloxicam was approved for use in April 2000.

PREPARATIONS: Meloxicam is available as a yellow, round, biconvex, uncoated tablet containing meloxicam 7.5 mg or as a yellow, oblong, biconvex, uncoated tablet containing meloxicam 15 mg.

STORAGE: Meloxicam should be stored in a dry place at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Meloxicam is used to treat tenderness, swelling and pain caused by the inflammation of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

DOSING: The lowest effective dose should be used for each patient. Meloxicam therapy usually is started at 7.5 mg daily. Some patients require a dose of 15 mg daily, but this dose should be taken only under the direction of a physician. Meloxicam may be taken with or without food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: In studies where meloxicam was administered with cimetidine (Tagamet), digoxin (Lanoxin), and methotrexate (Rheumatrex), there were no drug interactions. Meloxicam may interfere with a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors, e.g., captopril (Capoten) and ramipril (Altace) or the water pill, furosemide (Lasix), that are used for controlling high blood pressure,. This may lead to an increase in blood pressure, and as a result, the dose of ACE inhibitor or Lasix may need to be changed when starting or stopping meloxicam.

Meloxicam should be avoided by patients with a history of asthma attacks, hives or other allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

If aspirin is taken with meloxicam there may be an increased risk for developing an ulcer.

Persons who have more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day may be at increased risk of developing stomach ulcers when taking meloxicam or other NSAIDs.

Cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid) and colesevelam (Welchol) may decrease the effectiveness of meloxicam by preventing its absorption from the intestine.

Lithium (Eskalith or Lithobid) blood levels may increase or decrease after meloxicam therapy starts or stops. Therefore, both the patient taking lithium and the blood level of lithium need to be evaluated when starting or stopping meloxicam.

Meloxicam should be used with caution in combination with blood thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) because of an increased risk of bleeding.

PREGNANCY: There have been no studies of meloxicam therapy in pregnant women. Meloxicam generally should be avoided during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Since meloxicam may cause a fetal birth defect called ductus arteriosus (early closure of two major blood vessels of the heart and lung) in the third trimester of pregnancy, meloxicam also should be avoided during this last part of pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: There have been no studies in humans to determine if meloxicam is excreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: In general, the most common side effects with NSAIDs are related to the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and gas. To prevent these common side effects, it is recommended that most NSAIDs be taken with food or milk. NSAIDs may cause ulcers in the stomach and/or small intestine. A few NSAIDs are designed to be less damaging to the stomach and small intestine, and, therefore, they may be taken with or without food. Meloxicam is an example of one of these NSAIDs, but nevertheless, it should be taken cautiously without food.

Caution! Before starting to take this medicine, it is vital that you should consult your doctor! Do not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.