If you are seeking faster relief from your arthritis pain, Celebrex may be a better option; however, if you are looking for longer-lasting effects, Mobic may be the better choice.
The bottom line
Many studies have shown meloxicam and Celebrex to be as effective as other NSAIDs for pain and inflammation. But some studies show Celebrex might work better than other NSAIDs in some cases. Tell your healthcare provider about other medications you're taking and other health conditions you have.
Descriptions. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. OTC doses of these drugs, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), may be useful for relieving pain. At higher prescription doses they may also relieve inflammation. Duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Side effects of Celebrex and Mobic that are similar include upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, headache, nervousness, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, skin rash, and dizziness. Side effects of Celebrex that are different from Mobic include abdominal pain, indigestion, and insomnia.
Official answer. Both meloxicam and Celebrex are effective at relieving pain and inflammation, and in general, either one should work well for your pain; however, responses can vary between individuals.
Naproxen. One of the best over-the-counter Meloxicam alternatives is Naproxen.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs work similarly to aspirin to ease joint pain. Although there are more than a dozen NSAIDs available by prescription, only two are currently available OTC: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Over-the-counter medications — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.
Mobic has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 133 ratings on Drugs.com. 71% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 19% reported a negative effect. Voltaren has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 166 ratings on Drugs.com.
It's recommended to take meloxicam every day to treat pain as well as prevent pain from coming back.
Research shows diclofenac is the strongest and most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine available.10 Diclofenec is sold under the prescription brand names Cambia, Cataflam, Zipsor, and Zorvolex. It is also available as a topical gel, Voltaren, which is available over the counter.
Both medications are effective at treating certain types of pain. Celebrex and ibuprofen can both cause side effects like kidney damage and stomach ulcers or bleeding. Celebrex tends to have a lower risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding than ibuprofen.
Selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib) are believed to have fewer gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects than nonselective NSAIDS. Meloxicam is less selective for COX-2 than celecoxib is and partially inhibits COX-1 at higher doses.
NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are available both over-the-counter and by prescription and in oral and topical (gel) forms. Oral NSAIDs are recommended to improve pain and function in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help relieve occasional pain triggered by activity your muscles and joints aren't used to — such as gardening after a winter indoors.
Meloxicam is a prescription medication, so anyone who is prescribed it should take it as directed by their doctor. The drug can be used to treat pain in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but should not be taken for more than a few weeks at a time.
Meloxicam Can Cause Long-Term Harm. All medications have potential side effects. Long-term use of NSAIDs may increase the risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding, ulcers, or holes. Long-term use of non-aspirin NSAIDs may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Meloxicam at low doses (7.5 milligrams) inhibits COX-2 and not COX-1. That means it can reduce pain and inflammation, without irritation of the stomach lining or an increased risk of stomach ulcers. Research has found that serious upper gastrointestinal events at the 7.5 mg dose occur in fewer than 1 in 3,000 people.
Your healthcare provider might recommend Mobic or ibuprofen to treat arthritis pain and inflammation. These drugs work in similar ways, but they also have differences in their strength (meloxicam is a stronger anti-inflammatory), their dosage, and more.