Information about the Boxed Warning on METACAM® (meloxicam) Labels
A boxed warning is included on the label of two METACAM® (meloxicam) products by the drug’s manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim. The products are:
- METACAM® Solution for Injection, under New Animal Drug Application (NADA) 141-219; and
- METACAM® Oral Suspension, under NADA 141-213.
This boxed warning also appears on the generic meloxicam products too, which are listed on the NSAID Labels page at Animals Drugs @ FDA.
WARNING
Repeated use of meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute renal failure and death. Do not administer additional injectable or oral meloxicam to cats. See Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions for detailed information.
Boxed warnings on prescription drug labels highlight for prescribers certain contraindications or adverse drug events, especially those that may cause death or serious harm. A contraindication occurs when the risk of using the drug in a patient outweighs any benefit. An adverse drug event, also called an adverse drug experience, occurs when there is an undesired side effect associated with the drug, or when there is a lack of effect (the drug does not do what it is supposed to do).
FDA asked Boehringer Ingelheim to add the boxed warning based on FDA’s review of reported adverse drug events for METACAM®. FDA identified many cases of kidney failure and death in cats associated with repeated use of METACAM®.
METACAM® Solution for Injection is approved for one-time use in cats before surgery to control postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgeries, spays, and neuters. In the United States, the safety and effectiveness of more than one dose of METACAM® Solution for Injection has not been shown in cats for any condition.
METACAM® Solution for Injection and METACAM® Oral Suspension are approved in dogs to control pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. METACAM® Oral Suspension is approved for dogs only. No safe and effective dose of the oral suspension is approved for cats.
FDA is aware that some veterinarians prescribe or use METACAM® in an extra-label manner. When an approved drug is used in a manner other than what is stated on the label, it is an extra-label (or “off-label”) use. Under certain circumstances, veterinarians are allowed to use a drug in an extra-label manner. The boxed warning on the METACAM® labels and generic meloxicam labels helps inform veterinarians of the serious risks associated with extra-label use of meloxicam in cats.
Additional Information About Extra-Label Drug Use in Animals