Skip to content
POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Metaxx 0.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats and Guinea Pigs

Active ingredient: Meloxicam

Form

Liquid

Species

Cats Guinea pig

Manufacturer

Alfasan Nederland B.V.

VMD MA No.

36408/3029

What it's used for

Alleviation of pain and inflammation in acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in cats. Guinea pigs: Alleviation of mild to moderate post-operative p...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Meloxicam

  1. 1

    Ask your vet for a written prescription

    They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.

  2. 2

    Fill it at a registered online retailer

    The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Metaxx 0.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats and Guinea Pigs — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

Alleviation of pain and inflammation in acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders
in cats.
Guinea pigs:
Alleviation of mild to moderate post-operative pain associated with soft tissue surgery
such as male
castration.
Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing. The
recommended dose should not be exceeded.
Dosage
Cats:
Post-operative pain and inflammation following surgical procedures:
After initial treatment with a suitable injectable formulation of meloxicam authorised
for cats, continue treatment 24 hours later with Metaxx 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for
cats at a dosage of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight, i.e. 0.1 mL/kg body weight.
The oral follow-up dose may be administered once daily (at 24-hour intervals) for up
to four days.
Acute musculo-skeletal disorders:
Initial treatment is a single oral dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight,i.e. 0.4
mL/kg body weight on the first day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral
administration (at 24-hour intervals) at a dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight,
i.e. 0.1 mL/kg body weight for as long as acute pain and inflammation persist.
Chronic musculo-skeletal disorders:
Initial treatment is a single oral dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight, i.e. 0.2
mL/kg body weight on the first day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral
administration (at 24-hour intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg
body weight, i.e. 0.1 mL/kg body weight. A clinical response is normally seen within 7
days. Treatment should be discontinued after 14 days at the latest if no clinical
improvement is apparent.
Dosage
Guinea pigs:
Post-operative pain associated with soft tissue surgery:
Initial treatment is a single oral dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight, i.e. 0.4
mL/kg body weight on day 1 (pre-surgery).
Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hours intervals)
at a dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight, i.e. 0.2 mL/kg body weight on day 2
to day 3 (post-surgery).
The dose can, at the discretion of the veterinarian, be titrated up to 0.5 mg/kg body
weight, i.e. 1 mL/kg body weight in individual cases. The safety of doses exceeding
0.6 mg/kg body weight has, however, not been evaluated in guinea pigs.
Route and method of administration
To be administered either mixed with food (cats) or directly into the mouth (cats and
guinea pigs) using the supplied 1 mL syringe graduated with mL scale and 0.02 mL
increments.
Shake the bottle well before use, and avoid introduction of contamination during use.
Draw up the suspension according to the bodyweight of the animal.
Dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 0.1 mL/kg body weight
Dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 0.2 mL/kg body weight
Dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 0.4 mL/kg body weight
Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.
Do not use in cats suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritation and
haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function and haemorrhagic
disorders.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.
Do not use in cats less than 6 weeks of age.
Do not use in guinea pigs less than 4 weeks of age.
Cats:
FrequencyAdverse eventVery rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Appetite loss
, Lethargy
;
Vomiting
, Diarrhoea
, Blood in
faeces (occult)
;
Gastrointestinal ulceration
;
Renal failure
;
Elevated liver enzymes.
Typical adverse reactions of NSAIDs
These side effects are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of
the treatment but may be serious or fatal.
Cats and guinea pigs:
If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a
veterinarian should be
sought.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.
None.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a
potential risk of renal
toxicity.
Post-operative use in cats and guinea pigs:
In case additional pain relief is required, multimodal pain therapy should be
considered.
Chronic musculoskeletal disorders in cats:
Response to long-term therapy should be monitored at regular intervals by a
veterinary surgeon.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
Meloxicam and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause
hypersensitivity reactions. People with known hypersensitivity to NSAIDs should
avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. Wash hands after use.
Accidental ingestion of the product may cause gastrointestinal effects, such as
nausea and gastric pain. Avoid accidental ingestion by children. Do not leave the
filled syringe unattended. Any uneaten medicated food must be disposed of
immediately and the bowl washed thoroughly. In case of accidental ingestion, seek
medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the
physician.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances
with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects.
Meloxicam must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or
glucocorticosteroids. Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should
be avoided.
In cats, pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory substances other than meloxicam at a
single dose of 0.2 mg/kg may result in additional or increased adverse effects and
accordingly a treatment-free period with such veterinary medicinal products should
be observed for at least 24 hours before commencement of treatment. The
treatment-free period, however, should take into account the pharmacological
properties of the products used previously.
5 mL: Store below 30°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
10 mL: Do not refrigerate or freeze.
25 mL: Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Not applicable.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

Medication costs adding up?

Pet insurance can cover prescription medications. Find the right policy for your pet.

Compare insurance

Find cheaper vets near you

Compare vet consultation prices in your area. Save on procedures and get a prescription to buy medications online.