This article is part of the Arthritis Archives.
Dateline: April 14, 2000
FDA Approves Mobic
Mobic (generic drug name meloxicam), was approved on April 13, 2000, by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Mobic is the third new arthritis drug which has been FDA approved in the last two years. Mobic follows:
- Celebrex (celecoxib), which was approved on December 31, 1998,
- Vioxx (valdecoxib), which was approved on May 21, 1999.
Though Mobic becomes a new treatment option for osteoarthritis patients in the United States, it has already been used worldwide by millions of patients.
Clinical Trials
Results from clinical trials involving more than 22,000 patients from the United States and other countries affirmed the safety and efficacy of Mobic. Relief from osteoarthritis symptoms and a low incidence of gastrointestinal side effects were reported by the majority of patients taking Mobic.
The indication for use of Mobic in the United States is as a once-daily medication for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is often referred to as "wear-and-tear arthritis". For the starting and maintenance dose of 7.5 mg., Mobic will be priced around $1.98 per tablet, approximately 20 percent less than Celebrex and Vioxx.
Mobic Is Classified As A NSAID
Mobic is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
As with any of the group of drugs known as NSAIDs, the effectiveness or potential for adverse events will vary among individuals. Mobic is not appropriate for anyone allergic to meloxicam, aspirin, or other NSAIDs. Though Mobic has shown a low incidence of gastrointestinal side effects, it remains possible that gastrointestinal ulcers can develop without warning.
In the United States, the new drug will be marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Abbott Laboratories. It is expected to be available to consumers in early May.
Related Resources
Sources: FDA Approval Means Americans With Osteoarthritis Have A New Option, BusinessWire, 4/14/00; FDA Approves New Arthritis Drug, Reuters, 4/14/00; FDA Approves New Arthritis Drug, AP, 4/14/00
First published: 4/14/2000
