Tocolytic effect of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, meloxicam: Studies on uterine contractions in the rat

The objective of this study was to assess the tocolytic activity of meloxic am, a novel cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in a comparative study with the non -steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin. The in-vitro tocolytic effect of meloxicam and indomethacin (10(-9)-10(-5) M) was evaluated on spontaneously-contracting uterine strips from non-pregn ant rats and from rats at various stages of pregnancy. The rhythmic motilit y of the strips was reproducibly maintained over several hours. The effect of drugs was evaluated from the extent of inhibition of the frequency and a mplitude of contractions. Both indomethacin and meloxicam induced dose-depe ndent inhibitory effects, with meloxicam being slightly more potent in all groups studied, particularly in early pregnancy. These results suggest that meloxicam, which has fewer side-effects than cyc looxygenase 1 inhibitors, could be a potentially useful tocolytic agent in the treatment of premature labour.