Meloxicam pharmacokinetics in renal impairment

The aim of the present study was to determine how the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam are affected by kidney dysfunction and consequently to define the appropriate dose for the use of meloxicam in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment.

Meloxicam was administered to subjects with mild (creatinine clearance 41-60 ml min-1) to moderate (20-40 ml min-1) renal impairment compared with normal renal function (> 60 ml min-1). Thirty-eight subjects received meloxicam 15 mg once daily over 9 days. Meloxicam plasma concentrations were determined from blood samples taken during the study and pharmacokinetic parameters calculated according to noncompartmental methods.

Subjects with no or mild renal impairment showed similar pharmacokinetic profiles (geometric mean AUCSS (%gCV) 55 (33%) vs 55 (38%) micrograms ml-1 h). Subjects with moderate renal impairment demonstrated lower total plasma meloxicam concentrations (AUCSS 35 (50%) micrograms ml-1 h, with corresponding higher plasma clearance (P = 0.013) compared with subjects with no renal impairment. However, this was combined with higher meloxicam free fractions in moderately impaired subjects such that free meloxicam concentrations were similar in all three groups. Meloxicam was well tolerated with few adverse events occurring and no difference in incidence observable between groups.

On the basis of these results there is no necessity for a dosage adjustment when administering meloxicam to patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.