
Table of Contents
- What Is Meloxicam?
- What Is Ibuprofen?
- 15 mg Meloxicam Equals How Much Ibuprofen? Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Dosage
- Side Effects of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen
- Risks of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen
- Can You Overdose on Meloxicam or Ibuprofen?
- Are Meloxicam or Ibuprofen Addictive?
- Don’t Use Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Interchangeably
Key Points
- Meloxicam and ibuprofen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that treat pain and inflammation.
- Both meloxicam and ibuprofen are NSAIDs and COX inhibitors, so they have similar side effects and risks.
- One of the key differences between meloxicam and ibuprofen is that the former is only available with a prescription. At the same time, the latter is available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms.
- Though these drugs are similar, they have different dosing regimens and pharmacokinetics, so they should not be used interchangeably or adjusted without medical supervision.
Meloxicam and ibuprofen are two commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that treat pain and inflammation. They’re in the same drug class and work similarly, but they’re not interchangeable – particularly with dosage.
If you’re wondering, “15 mg meloxicam equals how much ibuprofen” or “what is 15 mg meloxicam equivalent to,” here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Meloxicam?
Meloxicam, available under the brand Mobic, is a prescription NSAID pain reliever used to treat pain and inflammation. It’s a COX inhibitor, which means it works by interfering with cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes to reduce the production of prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances are responsible for pain, fever, and inflammation, so reducing production can relieve short-term, mild-to-moderate pain.
Like other NSAIDs, meloxicam is FDA-approved for treating pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.[1] Meloxicam comes in tablet or liquid suspension forms.
What Is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is available as a prescription or over-the-counter (OTC). It’s sold under Motrin and Advil and is part of a combination medication for cold and flu. Ibuprofen has been combined with opioid analgesics such as hydrocodone in prescription pain medications like Vicoprofen.
As a COX inhibitor, ibuprofen has a mechanism of action similar to meloxicam and blocks prostaglandin production for short-term relief of pain or fever with arthritis, headaches, and menstrual cramps.[2] It’s commonly used OTC for minor pain.
Ibuprofen is available in many stores and pharmacies. It’s inexpensive, well-tolerated, and generally considered safe. The drug has been available as a prescription since 1974 and as an OTC medication since 1984. Capsules and tablets are the most common forms.
15 mg Meloxicam Equals How Much Ibuprofen? Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Dosage
Meloxicam and ibuprofen are similar, but they’re dosed differently to account for the duration of their effects.
The adult dosages of meloxicam are:[3]
- 5 mg to 10 mg once a day for capsules
- 7.5 mg to 15 mg once a day for tablets
- 7.5 mg to 15 mg (5 mL to 10 mL) once a day for liquid suspension
The adult dosages of ibuprofen are:[4]
- 400 mg to 800 mg 3 or 4 times a day for arthritis pain
- 200 mg to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed for mild to moderate pain
- 400 mg every 4 hours as needed for menstrual cramps
Ibuprofen is commonly taken as needed, while meloxicam is typically prescribed for daily use due to its longer half-life. It’s best to take the lowest dose possible that brings relief for the shortest time to avoid serious side effects.
Both meloxicam and prescription-strength ibuprofen have been studied for prolonged use, but long-term use carries risks such as gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular events, and kidney impairment. Studies showed that meloxicam is safe for daily use for up to 6 months.[5] Prescription ibuprofen was evaluated and considered safe for regular use up to 1 year.[6] The OTC form of ibuprofen is only recommended for short-term use for 10 days.
Side Effects of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen
As NSAIDs and COX inhibitors, meloxicam and ibuprofen have similar side effects of nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, itching, and drowsiness.[7,8] They also have potentially more serious side effects like cloudy or discolored urine, fluid buildup in the extremities (edema), allergic reactions, poor kidney function, liver damage, and flu-like symptoms.
Both meloxicam and ibuprofen can have the rare side effects of heart problems like heart attack, blood clots, stroke, bleeding, and gastric ulcers.
Risks of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen
Though meloxicam and ibuprofen have been evaluated for long-term use, there is an increased risk of gastric ulcers and organ damage. However, there are some differences between them.
Both meloxicam and ibuprofen can cause bleeding, but ibuprofen has lower gastrointestinal bleeding risk.[9] Meloxicam has a lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding than traditional NSAIDs, but it still carries a risk, particularly in high doses or long-term use. Both drugs can also damage the heart with long-term use and may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Impaired kidney function is a risk with all NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and meloxicam. This is more common in people with existing kidney problems. Neither drug has a high risk of liver problems, though it is possible.
NSAIDs can damage the kidneys, especially in people with existing kidney problems – meloxicam and ibuprofen included. The risk of liver damage is low with either drug.
Can You Overdose on Meloxicam or Ibuprofen?
You can overdose on any drug if you take more than your body can handle, including generally safe drugs like meloxicam and ibuprofen. The overdose symptoms are similar, including excessive drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, gastrointestinal bleeding, high blood pressure, stomach pain, lethargy, kidney failure, metabolic acidosis, coma, and cardiac arrest.[10]
Treat a suspected NSAID overdose as a medical emergency and call 911. Supportive care can reduce the risk of serious complications, such as a potentially fatal overdose or permanent damage to the liver or kidneys.
Are Meloxicam or Ibuprofen Addictive?
Generally, no, meloxicam and ibuprofen aren’t considered addictive drugs. They’re not opioid painkillers like oxycodone or hydrocodone, which have a high risk of misuse and abuse. These drugs can be misused, though the motivation behind misuse is different from typical drugs of abuse.
People who misuse ibuprofen or meloxicam are often doing so because they still have pain after taking the recommended dose rather than getting high. Still, this can be dangerous and may increase the risk of side effects – and it won’t provide better pain relief.
In some cases, ibuprofen or meloxicam may be used in intentional overdoses. Ibuprofen can also be misused indirectly when it’s combined with addictive drugs, such as codeine.
Don’t Use Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Interchangeably
Meloxicam and ibuprofen are similar NSAIDs that are used to treat pain and inflammation. Despite their many similarities in mechanism of action, side effects, and risks, these drugs aren’t interchangeable. Ibuprofen is available in a range of doses in prescription and OTC forms, while meloxicam is only available in a few dosages as a prescription. The dosages aren’t a one-to-one equivalence, so it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the recommended dosage of either medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding these two medications.
OCEAN RECOVERY EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
The internet contains a vast amount of misinformation, but when it comes to your health only peer reviewed, research centered data matters. At Ocean Recovery, all content published throughout our website has been rigorously medically reviewed by a doctorate level clinician, and cross checked for medical accuracy. Our editorial process helps our readers trust that the information they are consuming is factual and based upon scientific data. Your health is our top priority, find out more about how we safeguard the integrity of information on our website. Read More About Our Process