Prolonged Analgesia Following Short, Pulsed Meloxicam in Generalized Osteoarthritis: A Case Report and Focused Evidence Review

Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat osteoarthritis (OA), but their risks rise with cumulative exposure across the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal systems. We report a 67-year-old individual with generalized OA, no other chronic illnesses, no medication allergies, and no history of trauma, who self-administers meloxicam 15 mg once daily for seven consecutive days each month. Each monthly pulse is followed by approximately three weeks of analgesia without NSAID use between pulses, and no adverse effects have been observed. Prior evidence suggests that NSAID analgesia peaks early while minor adverse events increase after longer continuous use; this patient's real-world response supports a pragmatic, exposure-sparing approach. Although trials specifically testing fixed weekly or monthly NSAID pulses are lacking, careful patient selection and monitoring may allow short, structured courses that maintain function while minimizing cumulative risk.