Key takeaways
Ibuprofen / famotidine and meloxicam are both medications used to treat arthritis pain, but they belong to different classes. Ibuprofen / famotidine is a combination of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a histamine H2 antagonist, while meloxicam is solely an NSAID. Both medications help with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but ibuprofen / famotidine also includes famotidine to help reduce the risk of stomach ulcers. Ibuprofen / famotidine is taken as a tablet three times a day, whereas meloxicam is typically taken once daily and is available in various forms, including oral tablets and capsules, oral suspension, and an injection (administered by a healthcare professional only). Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Ibuprofen / famotidine used to be available as brand-name Duexis, but this product was discontinued. Common side effects of ibuprofen / famotidine include nausea and high blood pressure, while meloxicam may cause diarrhea and joint pain. Both medications can increase the risk of stomach bleeding, heart attack, and stroke.
