The risk of gastrointestinal bleed, myocardial infarction, and newly diagnosed hypertension in users of meloxicam, diclofenac, naproxen, and piroxicam

Study Objective. To obtain formally quantified data on the relation of melo xicam to newly diagnosed gastrointestinal problems, myocardial infarction, or treated hypertension. Design. Nested case-control study. Setting. United Kingdom-based General Practice Research Database. Patients. Patients who received prescriptions for meloxicam, diclofenac, na proxen, or piroxicam formed the study population. Cases were people who dev eloped gastrointestinal problems, myocardial infarction, or hypertension. Measurements and Main Results. Relative risk estimates for developing the s tudy outcomes were provided for each study nonsteroidal antiinflammatory dr ug (NSAID), with diclofenac as the reference drug. In no instance was melox icam associated with an increased risk for a study outcome. Conclusion. Compared with the other NSAIDs, meloxicam was not materially as sociated with any study outcomes. This study provides reassurance to those prescribing this newer class of NSAIDs.