Diclofenac vs Meloxicam: side-by-side comparison
Diclofenac (NSAID (phenylacetic acid)) and Meloxicam (NSAID (preferential COX-2 inhibitor)) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Diclofenac | Meloxicam |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | NSAID (phenylacetic acid) | NSAID (preferential COX-2 inhibitor) |
| CAS | 15307-86-5 | 71125-38-7 |
| ATC | M01AB05 | M01AC06 |
| Molecular weight | 296.15 g/mol | 351.40 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Diclofenac and Meloxicam share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Diclofenac acts by a different mechanism than Meloxicam, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Diclofenac: Diclofenac hemmt reversibel die Cyclooxygenasen COX-1 und COX-2, mit etwas stärkerer COX-2-Selektivität als Ibuprofen und Naproxen. Meloxicam: Meloxicam hemmt die Cyclooxygenase-Enzyme mit Präferenz für COX-2 in niedrigen therapeutischen Dosen.
Indications compared
Diclofenac: Diclofenac ist bei Erwachsenen zur Behandlung von Arthrose, rheumatoider Arthritis, ankylosierender Spondylitis, akuten muskuloskelettalen Schmerzen, postoperativen Schmerzen, primärer Dysmenorrhoe, akuter Migräne und Ur… Meloxicam: Meloxicam ist bei Erwachsenen zur symptomatischen Behandlung von Arthrose, rheumatoider Arthritis und Spondylitis ankylosans zugelassen.
Safety profile
Diclofenac: Häufige Nebenwirkungen sind gastrointestinale Beschwerden, Kopfschmerzen, Schwindel und erhöhte Leberenzyme. Meloxicam: Häufige Nebenwirkungen sind gastrointestinale Beschwerden, periphere Ödeme, Hypertonie und Kopfschmerzen.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Is Diclofenac better than Meloxicam? ▾
Diclofenac and Meloxicam are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Diclofenac and Meloxicam be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Diclofenac
Products with Meloxicam
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