Meloxaid 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats

Meloxicam

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: solution for injection. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Meloxicam.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Meloxaid 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats need a prescription?
Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Meloxaid 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats for?
Cats, Dogs.1
What is the active substance in Meloxaid 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats?
Meloxicam. ATCvet code: QM01AC06.13
What is the withdrawal period of Meloxaid 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats according to the leaflet?
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Dispensing
Prescription only1

POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12

Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.

Animal species
Cats1, Dogs1
Active substance
Meloxicam
ATCvet code
QM01AC063
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: EU Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Withdrawal period

No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3

Summary of product characteristics

Composition

One ml contains:

Active substance:

Meloxicam 5 mg

Excipient(s):

Ethanol (96%) 159.8 mg

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

6.1 List of excipients

Ethanol (96%)

Poloxamer 188

Macrogol 400

Glycine

Disodium edetate

Sodium hydroxide

Hydrochloric acid, concentrated

Meglumine

Water for injections.

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Pharmaceutical form

Solution for injection.

Clear yellow solution.

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Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anti-inflammatory and Anti-rheumatic products, non-steroids (oxicams).

ATCvet code: QM01AC06.

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class which acts by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-exudative and antipyretic effects. It reduces leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed tissue. To a minor extent it also inhibits collagen-induced thrombocyte aggregation. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that meloxicam inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) to a greater extent than cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

Absorption

Following subcutaneous administration, meloxicam is completely bioavailable and maximal mean plasma concentrations of 0.73 µg/ml in dogs and 1.1 μg/ml in cats were reached approximately 2.5 hours and 1.5 hours post administration, respectively.

Distribution

There is a linear relationship between the dose administered and plasma concentration observed in the therapeutic dose range in dogs. More than 97 % of meloxicam is bound to plasma proteins. The volume of distribution is 0.3 l/kg in dogs and 0.09 l/kg in cats.

Metabolism

In dogs, meloxicam is predominantly found in plasma and is also a major biliary excretion product whereas urine contains only traces of the parent compound. Meloxicam is metabolised to an alcohol, an acid derivative and to several polar metabolites. All major metabolites have been shown to be pharmacologically inactive.

In cats, meloxicam is predominantly found in plasma and is also a major biliary excretion product whereas urine contains only traces of the parent compound. Five major metabolites were detected all having been shown to be pharmacologically inactive. Meloxicam is metabolised to an alcohol, an acid derivative and to several polar metabolites. As for other species investigated, the main pathway of meloxicam biotransformation in cat is oxidation.

Elimination

In dogs, meloxicam is eliminated with a half-life of 24 hours. Approximately 75 % of the administered dose is eliminated via faeces and the remainder via urine.

In cats, meloxicam is eliminated with a half-life of 24 hours. The detection of metabolites from the parent compound in urine and faeces, but not in plasma is indicative for their rapid excretion. 21 % of the recovered dose is eliminated in urine (2 % as unchanged meloxicam, 19 % as metabolites) and 79 % in the faeces (49 % as unchanged meloxicam, 30 % as metabolites).

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Target species

Dogs and cats.

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Indications

Dogs:

Alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders. Reduction of post-operative pain and inflammation following orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.

Cats:

Reduction of post-operative pain after ovariohysterectomy and minor soft tissue surgery.

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Dosage

Maximum number of piercings is 42 for all presentations.

Dogs:

Musculo-skeletal disorders:

Single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.4 ml/10 kg body weight).

A suitable veterinary medicinal product for dogs containing 1.5 mg meloxicam per ml oral suspension or 1 mg or 2.5 mg of meloxicam in tablet form may be used for continuation of treatment at a dosage of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg bodyweight, 24 hours after administration of the injection.

Reduction of post-operative pain (over a period of 24 hours):

Single intravenous or subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.4 ml/10 kg body weight) before surgery, for example at the time of induction of anaesthesia.

Cats:

Reduction of post-operative pain:

Single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.3 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.06 ml/kg body weight) before surgery, for example at the time of induction of anaesthesia.

Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing.

Avoid introduction of contamination during use.

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Contraindications

Do not use in animals suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritation and haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function and haemorrhagic disorders.

Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Do not use in animals less than 6 weeks of age nor in cats of less than 2 kg. Refer to section 4.7.

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Adverse reactions

Dogs and cats

Rare (1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals treated):Digestive tract disorder: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in faeces
Systematic disorder: depression
Renal and urinary disorders: renal failure
Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):1Digestive tract disorders: haemorrhagic diarrhoea, haematemesis, gastric ulceration NOS. Investigations: elevated liver enzymes.
2Immune system disorders: anaphylactoid reactions

1These side effects occur generally within the first treatment week and are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in very rare cases may be serious or fatal.

2These side effects should be treated symptomatically.

Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See also the last section of the package leaflet for respective contact details.

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Warnings

Special precautions for use in animals

Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a potential risk of renal toxicity.

During anaesthesia, monitoring and fluid therapy should be considered as standard practice.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

Accidental self-injection may give rise to pain. People with known hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

In view of the risk of accidental self-injection and the known adverse class-effects of NSAIDs and other prostaglandin inhibitors on pregnancy and/or embryofoetal development, the veterinary medicinal product should not be administered by pregnant women or women attempting to conceive.

In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation.

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.

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Interactions

Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. The veterinary medicinal product must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or gluco-corticosteroids. Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided. In animals at anaesthetic risk (e.g. aged animals) intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy during anaesthesia should be taken into consideration. When anaesthesia and NSAID are concomitantly administered, a risk for renal function cannot be excluded.

Pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory substances may result in additional or increased adverse effects and accordingly a treatment-free period with such veterinary medicinal products should be observed for at least 24 hours before commencement of treatment. The treatment-free period, however, should take into account the pharmacological properties of the products used previously.

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Overdose

In the case of overdose symptomatic treatment should be initiated.

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Special warnings

None.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

None known.

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Immediate packaging

Carton box containing one colourless glass injection vial of 10 ml, 20 ml or 100ml, closed with a bromobutyl rubber stopper and sealed with an aluminium cap.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

Keep the vial in the outer carton.

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 5 years.

Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 28 days.

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

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Additional information

Vm 39787/5023

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

18 November 2024

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

December 2025

11 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription (POM-V)

Gavin Hall

Approved: 03 December 2025

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Registration holder

EU Pharmaceuticals Ltd

37 Geraldine Road

London

SW18 2NR

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Meloxaid 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats, 39787/5023 UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (OGL v3.0), checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  2. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products) UK Government, legislation.gov.uk, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  3. Summary of Product Characteristics: Meloxaid 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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