Meloxicam: a review of its pharmacokinetics, efficacy and tolerability following intramuscular administration

This paper reviews published studies on the intramuscular use of meloxicam in acute rheumatic conditions. Data were obtained from 68 healthy volunteer s and >800 patients with conditions such as arthritis, sciatica and lumbago who were treated with intramuscular injections of meloxicam compared with oral formulations. Intramuscular meloxicam appears to have a more rapid ons et of action than oral meloxicam in acute inflammatory rheumatism. Local to lerance of im meloxicam was consistently good in both volunteers and patien ts, with respect to creatine phosphokinase levels and local reactions. Melo xicam im was also superior to other drugs such as piroxicam with respect to local tolerance. The incidence of adverse events, including gastrointestin al events, was low. Therefore, im meloxicam is an alternative to achieve ra pid relief of acute pain in patients with acute inflammatory rheumatism. Ho wever, the recurrent use of im meloxicam is not recommended and patients sh ould be switched to the oral formulation for chronic use.