Kidney problems after Meloxicam (Metacam) in cats

The FDA has received 1,699 reports of kidney problems in cats after Meloxicam. That is 47% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

1,699Reports

19%Marked serious

3.8%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

37 11%

1–2 days

90 27%

3–7 days

100 30%

1–4 weeks

75 23%

Over a month

28 8.5%

How the animals did

Recovered

56 3.3%

Recovered with lasting effects

9 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

102 6.0%

Died

382 22%

Euthanised

75 4.4%

Not known

1,075 63%

Problems reported at the same time

1,080 64%

785 46%

678 40%

561 33%

460 27%

240 14%

236 14%

Decreased urine concentration

225 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

180

1–3 years

217

4–7 years

377

8–11 years

433

12+ years

433

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 kidney problems in cats?: 1,699 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.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 4 days of the first dose.
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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Robenacoxib (Onsior) 338 reports · 10% of its reports
Kidney problems after Carprofen (Rimadyl) 277 reports · 16% of its reports
Kidney problems after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 38 reports · 38% of its reports

All reported side effects of Meloxicam in cats · Medicines most reported with kidney problems