Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats

Meloxicam

Last verified

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

In short: questions and answers

Does Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats need a prescription?
Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats for?
Cats.1
What is the active substance in Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats?
Meloxicam. ATCvet code: QM01AC06.13
What is the withdrawal period of Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for 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
Active substance
Meloxicam
ATCvet code
QM01AC063
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Norbrook Laboratories Limited

Withdrawal period

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

Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Each ml contains:

Active Substance:

Meloxicam 0.5 mg

Excipient:

Sodium benzoate 1.5 mg

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

6.1 List of excipients

Sodium Benzoate

Glycerol

Povidone K30

Xanthan Gum

Disodium Phosphate Dihydrate

Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate Dihydrate

Citric Acid Anhydrous

Simethicone Emulsion

Purified water

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Pharmaceutical form

Oral suspension

Pale yellow suspension.

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Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic 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

If the animal is fasted when dosed, the maximal plasma concentrations are obtained after approximately 3 hours. If the animal is fed at the time of dosing, the absorption may be slightly delayed. Due to the loading dose, steady is reached after 2 days (48h).

Distribution

There is a linear relationship between the dose administered and plasma concentration observed in the therapeutic dose range. Approximately 97 % of meloxicam is bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism

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.

Elimination

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.

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Target species

Cats.

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Indications

Alleviation of mild to moderate post-operative pain and inflammation following surgical procedures in cats, e.g. orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.

Alleviation of inflammation and pain in acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in cats.

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Dosage

Oral use.

To be administered with food or directly into the mouth.

Shake well before use.

Dosage

Post-operative pain and inflammation following surgical procedures:

After initial treatment with Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats continue treatment 24 hours later with Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension for cats at a dosage of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight. The oral follow-up dose may be administered once daily (at 24-hour intervals) for up to four days.

Acute musculo-skeletal disorders:

Initial treatment is a single oral dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on the first day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hour intervals) at a dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight for as long as acute pain and inflammation persist.

Chronic musculo-skeletal disorders:

Initial treatment is a single dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg bodyweight on the first day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24 hour intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg bodyweight.

A clinical response is normally seen within 7 days. Treatment should be discontinued after 14 days at the latest if no clinical improvement is apparent.

Dosing Procedure:

The syringe fits onto the bottle and has a kg-body weight scale which corresponds to the maintenance dose. Thus for initiation of the treatment of chronic musculo-skeletal disorders on the first day, twice the maintenance volume will be required. For initiation of the treatment of acute musculo-skeletal disorders on the first day, 4 times the maintenance volume will be required.

Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing. The recommended dose should not be exceeded. The suspension should be given using the Norbrook Meloxicam measuring syringe provided in the package.

Avoid introduction of contamination during use.

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Contraindications

Do not use in pregnant or lactating cats.

Do not use in cats 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 cats less than 6 weeks of age.

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Adverse reactions

Typical adverse reactions of NSAIDs such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, apathy and renal failure have been reported very rarely in spontaneous reports. Elevated liver enzymes have been reported very rarely in spontaneous reports.

These adverse reactions 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.

If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a veterinarian should be sought.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:

- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))

- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)

- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)

- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)

- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

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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.

Post-operative pain and inflammation following surgical procedures:

In case additional pain relief is required, multimodal pain therapy should be considered.

Chronic musculoskeletal disorders:

Response to long-term therapy should be monitored at regular intervals by a veterinary surgeon.

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

People with known hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

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

Wash any splashes from skin immediately with water.

This product can cause eye irritation. In case of contact with the eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with water.

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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 (see section 4.3).

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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. Norbrook Meloxicam must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids. Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided.

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

Meloxicam has a narrow therapeutic safety margin in cats and clinical signs of overdose may be seen at relatively small overdose levels. In the case of overdose, adverse reactions (as listed in Section 4.6) are expected to be more severe and more frequent. 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

In the absence of compatibility studies, this veterinary medicinal product must not be mixed with other veterinary medicinal products.

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Immediate packaging

The veterinary medicinal product is presented in 5 ml, 15 ml and 30 ml polyethylene terephthalate screw bottles with HDPE/LDPE child resistant caps. The 1 ml measuring syringe has a kg-body weight scale for cats (0.5 to 10 kg).

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

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Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 18 months

Shelf-life after first opening the immediate packaging: 6 months

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Disposal of unused product

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

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Additional information

Vm 02000/4395

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

11 February 2016

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

November 2023

Approved: 16 April 2024

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Registration holder

Norbrook Laboratories Limited

Station Works

Camlough Road

Newry

Co. Down

BT35 6JP

United Kingdom

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats, 02000/4395 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: Norbrook Meloxicam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for 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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