Accidental exposure after Meloxicam (Metacam) in cats

The FDA has received 88 reports of accidental exposure in cats after Meloxicam. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all cat medicines.

88Reports

3.4%Marked serious

3.4%Recovered

8.0%Died or euthanised

–Typical onset

How the animals did

Recovered

3 3.4%

Died

7 8.0%

Not known

78 89%

Problems reported at the same time

36 41%

34 39%

20 23%

11 13%

8 9.1%

7 8.0%

5 5.7%

Drug administration error

4 4.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Meloxicam relieves pain and inflammation.

Products with this ingredient include Metacam. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

NSAIDs can affect the stomach, liver and kidneys. Vets usually recommend blood tests before and during long-term use.

Questions owners ask

Can Meloxicam cause accidental exposure in cats?: 88 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Accidental exposure with similar medicines

Accidental exposure after Carprofen (Rimadyl) 1,242 reports · 73% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 62 reports · 61% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Firocoxib (Previcox) 23 reports · 44% of its reports

All reported side effects of Meloxicam in cats · Medicines most reported with accidental exposure