If you’re looking at treatment options for arthritis, you may want to learn more about meloxicam (Mobic, Anjeso). Meloxicam is a generic prescription drug used to treat:

*1 kg equals 2.2 pounds (lbs.)
†Anjeso is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use.

Meloxicam belongs to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It comes as:

  • tablets
  • capsules
  • liquid suspension
  • intravenous (IV) liquid solution

Keep reading for details on meloxicam and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on meloxicam, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for meloxicam can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for meloxicam, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover meloxicam. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss meloxicam in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If meloxicam requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether meloxicam requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about meloxicam and cost.

How much does meloxicam cost without insurance?

If you don’t have insurance that covers prescription drugs, you can ask your pharmacist for a “cash price” of meloxicam. This is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket if you don’t have insurance or any discounts. The cost may vary depending on what pharmacy you use.

For information on possible cost assistance options for your medications, see “Can I get help paying for Meloxicam?” below.

Does meloxicam’s price depend on the tablet strength (7.5 mg or 15 mg)?

It’s possible. Your cost of meloxicam may depend on what strength your doctor prescribes.

If you have insurance, it may also depend on what your insurance covers.

To find out how much you’ll pay for the different strengths of meloxicam, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Meloxicam is a generic drug. This means it contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug but generally costs less.

Meloxicam comes in brand-name versions called Mobic and Anjeso. To find out how the costs of these drugs and meloxicam compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Anjeso is approved to treat moderate to severe pain in adults. Generic versions have not received approval to treat this condition but may be used off-label for this purpose. (Off-label use is when a drug is used to treat a condition other than those it’s approved for.)

If you’ve been prescribed meloxicam and you’re interested in using Mobic or Anjeso instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take meloxicam long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of meloxicam if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of meloxicam. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for meloxicam. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of meloxicam or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of meloxicam, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for meloxicam.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will my dosage of meloxicam affect the cost?
  • Are there other lower-cost drugs that could treat my condition?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.