Skin rash or irritation after Meloxicam (Metacam) in cats

The FDA has received 65 reports of skin rash or irritation in cats after Meloxicam. That is 1.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.0% across reports for all cat medicines.

65Reports

23%Marked serious

4.6%Recovered

6.2%Died or euthanised

17 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 4.3%

1–2 days

3 13%

3–7 days

5 22%

1–4 weeks

8 35%

Over a month

6 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 4.6%

Still unwell when reported

18 28%

Died

3 4.6%

Euthanised

1 1.5%

Not known

40 62%

Problems reported at the same time

15 23%

12 18%

11 17%

10 15%

10 15%

9 14%

8 12%

Skin scab

8 12%

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 skin rash or irritation in cats?: 65 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 17 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).

Skin rash or irritation with similar medicines

Skin rash or irritation after Robenacoxib (Onsior) 56 reports · 1.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Meloxicam in cats · Medicines most reported with skin rash or irritation