Pemetrexed and Meloxicam: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Meloxicam
Pemetrexed
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased risk of PEMEtrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal toxicity, and gastrointestinal toxicity
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of meloxicam and PEMEtrexed could increase the risk of PEMEtrexed-associated toxicities. Interrupt meloxicam administration for at least 5 days before, the day of, and 2 days following use of PEMEtrexed. In patients with renal impairment and CrCl of 45 to 79 mL/min, monitor for myelosuppression, renal, and gastrointestinal toxicity during concomitant use. In patients with renal impairment and a CrCl of less than 45 mL/min, concomitant use of meloxicam and PEMEtrexed is not advised1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Reduced PEMEtrexed clearance
Common questions
Can I take Pemetrexed and Meloxicam together?
Increased risk of PEMEtrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal toxicity, and gastrointestinal toxicity Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Pemetrexed and Meloxicam interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Pemetrexed or Meloxicam need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: XIFYRM intravenous injection, meloxicam intravenous injection. Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (per FDA), Woburn, MA, 2025. DailyMed
Keep reading about Meloxicam
Keep reading about Pemetrexed
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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