This double-blind, double-dummy, two-way comparative trial evaluated the overall efficacy and tolerability of intramuscular (im) vs oral meloxicam.
346 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
173 patients in each group were randomised to receive either im meloxicam (15 mg) plus a placebo tablet, or oral meloxicam (15 mg) plus a placebo injection for 7 days.
Significant (p < 0.001) improvements in overall pain and disease activity were observed by patients treated with im and oral meloxicam, with no significant difference between treatments. The im formulation was better than the oral tablet in terms of rapidity of action (p=0.012), global efficacy (p=0.030) and duration of morning stiffness (p=0.026). Local tolerability of im meloxicam was very good and comparable with placebo injections.
Oral and im meloxicam (15 mg) were both effective and well-tolerated for acute exacerbations of RA. The im formulation had some advantages, such as a faster onset of action.