MELOXICAM

Meloxicam, an oxicam derivative, is a member of the enolic acid group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Each pastel yellow Meloxicam Tablets, USP contains 7.5 mg or 15 mg meloxicam for oral administration. Meloxicam is chemically designated as 4-hydroxy-2-methyl- N -(5-methyl-2-thiazolyl)-2 H -1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide. The molecular weight is 351.4. Its empirical formula is C 14 H 13 N 3 O 4 S 2 and it has the following structural formula: Meloxicam is a pastel yellow solid, practically insoluble in water, with higher solubility observed in strong acids and bases. It is very slightly soluble in methanol. Meloxicam has an apparent partition coefficient (log P) app = 0.1 in n -octanol/buffer pH 7.4. Meloxicam has pKa values of 1.1 and 4.2. Meloxicam is available as a tablet for oral administration containing 7.5 mg or 15 mg meloxicam. The inactive ingredients in Meloxicam Tablets, USP include Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Starch Glycolate, Lactose, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Povidone K-30, and Sodium Citrate. Structural Formula

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for: • Osteoarthritis (OA) ( 1.1 ) • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) ( 1.2 ) • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) in patients 2 years of age or older ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Osteoarthritis (OA) Meloxicam tablets, USP is indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 ) ]. 1.2 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Meloxicam tablets, USP is indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 ) ]. 1.3 Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) Pauciarticular and Polyarticular Course Meloxicam tablets, USP is indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of pauciarticular or polyarticular course Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 ) ].

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual treatment goals for the individual patient. • OA ( 2.2 ) and RA ( 2.3 ): • Starting dose: 7.5 mg once daily • Dose may be increased to 15 mg once daily 2.1 General Instructions Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of meloxicam and other treatment options before deciding to use meloxicam. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) ]. After observing the response to initial therapy with meloxicam, adjust the dose to suit an individual patient's needs. In adults, the maximum recommended daily oral dose of meloxicam is 15 mg regardless of formulation. In patients with hemodialysis, a maximum daily dosage of 7.5 mg is recommended [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ), and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ]. Meloxicam may be taken without regard to timing of meals. 2.2 Osteoarthritis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis the recommended starting and maintenance oral dose of meloxicam is 7.5 mg once daily. Some patients may receive additional benefit by increasing the dose to 15 mg once daily. 2.3 Rheumatoid Arthritis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, the recommended starting and maintenance oral dose of meloxicam is 7.5 mg once daily. Some patients may receive additional benefit by increasing the dose to 15 mg once daily.

• Known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactoid reactions and serious skin reactions) to meloxicam ( 4.1 ) • History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs ( 4.1 ) • Use during the peri-operative period in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery ( 4.2 ) 4.1 Allergic Reactions Meloxicam is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactoid reactions and serious skin reactions) to meloxicam. Meloxicam should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.13 ) ]. 4.2 Coronary Surgery Meloxicam is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ].

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Cardiovascular thrombotic events [ see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Gastrointestinal effects – risk of GI ulceration, bleeding, and perforation [ see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] • Hepatic effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Congestive heart failure and edema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Renal effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Anaphylactoid reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • Adverse skin reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] • Most common (≥5% and greater than placebo) adverse events in adults are diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, dyspepsia, and influenza-like symptoms ( 6.1 ) • Adverse events observed in pediatric studies were similar in nature to the adult clinical trial experience ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Carlsbad Technology, Inc. at 1-866-431-8284 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Adults Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis The meloxicam Phase 2/3 clinical trial database includes 10,122 OA patients and 1012 RA patients treated with meloxicam 7.5 mg/day, 3505 OA patients and 1351 RA patients treated with meloxicam 15 mg/day. Meloxicam at these doses was administered to 661 patients for at least 6 months and to 312 patients for at least one year. Approximately 10,500 of these patients were treated in ten placebo- and/or active-controlled osteoarthritis trials and 2363 of these patients were treated in ten placebo- and/or active-controlled rheumatoid arthritis trials. Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events were the most frequently reported adverse events in all treatment groups across meloxicam trials. A 12-week multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial was conducted in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip to compare the efficacy and safety of meloxicam with placebo and with an active control. Two 12-week multicenter, double-blind, randomized trials were conducted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis to compare the efficacy and safety of meloxicam with placebo. Table 1a depicts adverse events that occurred in ≥2% of the meloxicam treatment groups in a 12-week placebo- and active-controlled osteoarthritis trial. Table 1b depicts adverse events that occurred in ≥2% of the meloxicam treatment groups in two 12-week placebo- controlled rheumatoid arthritis trials. Table 1a Adverse Events (%) Occurring in ≥2% of Meloxicam Patients in a 12-Week Osteoarthritis Placebo- and Active-Controlled Trial Placebo Meloxicam 7.5 mg daily Meloxicam 15 mg daily Diclofenac 100 mg daily No. of Patients 157 154 156 153 Gastrointestinal 17.2 20.1 17.3 28.1 Abdominal Pain 2.5 1.9 2.6 1.3 Diarrhea 3.8 7.8 3.2 9.2 Dyspepsia 4.5 4.5 4.5 6.5 Flatulence 4.5 3.2 3.2 3.9 Nausea 3.2 3.9 3.8 7.2 Body as a Whole Accident Household 1.9 4.5 3.2 2.6 Edema 1 2.5 1.9 4.5 3.3 Fall 0.6 2.6 0.0 1.3 Influenza-Like Symptoms 5.1 4.5 5.8 2.6 Central and Peripheral Nervous System Dizziness 3.2 2.6 3.8 2.0 Headache 10.2 7.8 8.3 5.9 Respiratory Pharyngitis 1.3 0.6 3.2 1.3 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 1.9 3.2 1.9 3.3 Skin Rash 2 2.5 2.6 0.6 2.0 1 WHO preferred terms edema, edema dependent, edema peripheral and edema legs combined 2 WHO preferred terms rash, rash erythematous and rash maculo-papular combined Table 1b Adverse Events (%) Occurring in ≥2% of Meloxicam Patients in two 12-Week Rheumatoid Arthritis Placebo-Controlled Trials Placebo Meloxicam 7.5 mg daily Meloxicam 15 mg No. of Patients 469 481 477 Gastrointestinal Disorders 14.1 18.9 16.8 Abdominal Pain NOS 2 0.6 2.9 2.3 Dyspeptic signs and symptoms 1 3.8 5.8 4.0 Nausea 2 2.6 3.3 3.8 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Influenza like illness 2 2.1 2.9 2.3 Infection and Infestations Upper respiratory tract infections-pathogen class unspecified 1 4.1 7.0 6.5 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Joint related signs and symptoms 1 1.9 1.5 2.3 Nervous System Disorders Headaches NOS 2 6.4 6.4 5.5 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash NOS 2 1.7 1.0 2.1 1 MedDRA high level term (preferred terms): dyspeptic signs and symptoms (dyspepsia, dyspepsia aggravated, eructation, gastrointestinal irritation), upper respiratory tract infections-pathogen unspecified (laryngitis NOS, pharyngitis NOS, sinusitis NOS), joint related signs and symptoms (arthralgia, arthralgia aggravated, joint crepitation, joint effusion, joint swelling) 2 MedDRA preferred term: nausea, abdominal pain NOS, influenza-like illness, headaches NOS, and rash NOS The adverse events that occurred with meloxicam in ≥2% of patients treated short-term (4 to 6 weeks) and long-term (6 months) in active-controlled osteoarthritis trials are presented in Table 2 . Table 2 Adverse Events (%) Occurring in ≥2% of Meloxicam Patients in 4 to 6 Weeks and 6 Month Active-Controlled Osteoarthritis Trials 4 to 6 Weeks Controlled Trials 6 month Controlled Trials Meloxicam 7.5 mg daily Meloxicam 15 mg daily Meloxicam 7.5 mg daily Meloxicam 15 mg daily No. of Patients 8955 256 169 306 Gastrointestinal 11.8 18.0 26.6 24.2 Abdominal Pain 2.7 2.3 4.7 2.9 Constipation 0.8 1.2 1.8 2.6 Diarrhea 1.9 2.7 5.9 2.6 Dyspepsia 3.8 7.4 8.9 9.5 Flatulence 0.5 0.4 3.0 2.6 Nausea 2.4 4.7 4.7 7.2 Vomiting 0.6 0.8 1.8 2.6 Body as a Whole Accident Household 0.0 0.0 0.6 2.9 Edema 1 0.6 2.0 2.4 1.6 Pain 0.9 2.0 3.6 5.2 Central and Peripheral Nervous System Dizziness 1.1 1.6 2.4 2.6 Headache 2.4 2.7 3.6 2.6 Hematologic Anemia 0.1 0.0 4.1 2.9 Musculoskeletal Arthralgia 0.5 0.0 5.3 1.3 Back Pain 0.5 0.4 3.0 0.7 Psychiatric Insomnia 0.4 0.0 3.6 1.6 Respiratory Coughing 0.2 0.8 2.4 1.0 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 0.2 0.0 8.3 7.5 Skin Pruritus 0.4 1.2 2.4 0.0 Rash 2 0.3 1.2 3.0 1.3 Urinary Micturition Frequency 0.1 0.4 2.4 1.3 Urinary Tract Infection 0.3 0.4 4.7 6.9 1 WHO preferred terms edema, edema dependent, edema peripheral and edema legs combined 2 WHO preferred terms rash, rash erythematous and rash maculo-papular combined Higher doses of meloxicam (22.5 mg and greater) have been associated with an increased risk of serious GI events; therefore the daily dose of meloxicam should not exceed 15 mg. Pediatrics Pauciarticular and Polyarticular Course Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) Three hundred and eighty-seven patients with pauciarticular and polyarticular course JRA were exposed to meloxicam with doses ranging from 0.125 to 0.375 mg/kg per day in three clinical trials. These studies consisted of two 12-week multicenter, double-blind, randomized trials (one with a 12-week open-label extension and one with a 40-week extension) and one 1-year open-label PK study. The adverse events observed in these pediatric studies with meloxicam were similar in nature to the adult clinical trial experience, although there were differences in frequency. In particular, the following most common adverse events, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and pyrexia, were more common in the pediatric than in the adult trials. Rash was reported in seven (<2%) patients receiving meloxicam. No unexpected adverse events were identified during the course of the trials. The adverse events did not demonstrate an age or gender-specific subgroup effect. The following is a list of adverse drug reactions occurring in < 2% of patients receiving meloxicam in clinical trials involving approximately 16,200 patients. Body as a Whole allergic reaction, face edema, fatigue, fever, hot flushes, malaise, syncope, weight decrease, weight increase Cardiovascular angina pectoris, cardiac failure, hypertension, hypotension, myocardial infarction, vasculitis Central and Peripheral Nervous System convulsions, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo Gastrointestinal colitis, dry mouth, duodenal ulcer, eructation, esophagitis, gastric ulcer, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematemesis, hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer, hemorrhagic gastric ulcer, intestinal perforation, melena, pancreatitis, perforated duodenal ulcer, perforated gastric ulcer, stomatitis ulcerative Heart Rate and Rhythm arrhythmia, palpitation, tachycardia Hematologic leukopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia Liver and Biliary System ALT increased, AST increased, bilirubinemia, GGT increased, hepatitis Metabolic and Nutritional dehydration Psychiatric abnormal dreaming, anxiety, appetite increased, confusion, depression, nervousness, somnolence Respiratory asthma, bronchospasm, dyspnea Skin and Appendages alopecia, angioedema, bullous eruption, photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, sweating increased, urticaria Special Senses abnormal vision, conjunctivitis, taste perversion, tinnitus Urinary System albuminuria, BUN increased, creatinine increased, hematuria, renal failure 6.2 Post Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of meloxicam. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Decisions about whether to include an adverse event from spontaneous reports in labeling are typically based on one or more of the following factors: (1) seriousness of the event, (2) number of reports, or (3) strength of causal relationship to the drug. Adverse reactions reported in worldwide post marketing experience or the literature include: acute urinary retention; agranulocytosis; alterations in mood (such as mood elevation); anaphylactoid reactions including shock; erythema multiforme; exfoliative dermatitis; interstitial nephritis; jaundice; liver failure; Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

See also Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ). • Concomitant use of meloxicam and warfarin may result in increased risk of bleeding complications ( 7.7 ) • Concomitant use of meloxicam and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effect including increased GI bleeding ( 7.2 ) • Concomitant use with meloxicam increases lithium plasma levels ( 7.4 ) • Concomitant use with NSAIDs may reduce the antihypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors ( 7.1 ) 7.1 ACE-inhibitors NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors. This interaction should be given consideration in patients taking meloxicam concomitantly with ACE-inhibitors. 7.2 Aspirin When meloxicam is administered with aspirin (1000 mg three times daily) to healthy volunteers, an increase the AUC (10%) and C max (24%) of meloxicam was noted. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs concomitant administration of meloxicam and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential for increased adverse effects. Concomitant administration of low-dose aspirin with meloxicam may result in an increased rate of GI ulceration or other complications, compared to use of meloxicam alone. Meloxicam is not a substitute for aspirin for cardiovascular prophylaxis. 7.3 Diuretics Clinical studies, as well as post marketing observations, have shown that NSAIDs can reduce the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients. This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. However, studies with furosemide agents and meloxicam have not demonstrated a reduction in natriuretic effect. Furosemide single and multiple dose pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are not affected by multiple doses of meloxicam. Nevertheless, during concomitant therapy with meloxicam, patients should be observed closely for signs of renal failure [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) ], as well as to ensure diuretic efficacy. 7.4 Lithium In a study conducted in healthy subjects, mean pre-dose lithium concentration and AUC were increased by 21% in subjects receiving lithium doses ranging from 804 to 1072 mg twice daily with meloxicam 15 mg every day as compared to subjects receiving lithium alone. These effects have been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by meloxicam. Closely monitor patients on lithium treatment for signs of lithium toxicity when meloxicam is introduced, adjusted, or withdrawn. 7.5 Methotrexate NSAIDs have been reported to competitively inhibit methotrexate accumulation in rabbit kidney slices. Therefore, NSAIDs may reduce the elimination of methotrexate, thereby enhancing the toxicity of methotrexate. Use caution when meloxicam is administered concomitantly with methotrexate [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ]. 7.6 Cyclosporine Meloxicam, like other NSAIDs, may affect renal prostaglandins, thereby altering the renal toxicity of certain drugs. Therefore, concomitant therapy with meloxicam may increase cyclosporine's nephrotoxicity. Use caution when meloxicam is administered concomitantly with cyclosporine. 7.7 Warfarin The effects of warfarin and NSAIDs on GI bleeding are synergistic, such that users of both drugs together have a risk of serious GI bleeding higher than users of either drug alone. Monitor anticoagulant activity, particularly in the first few days after initiating or changing meloxicam therapy in patients receiving warfarin or similar agents, since these patients are at an increased risk of bleeding than with the use of either drug alone. Use caution when administering meloxicam with warfarin since patients on warfarin may experience changes in INR and an increased risk of bleeding complications when a new medication is introduced [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ].

Storage Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F)[see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep Meloxicam Tablets, USP in a dry place. Dispense tablets in a tight container. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.