Intas Melonex (Meloxicam) Oral Suspension (Syrup)

Intas Melonex Oral Suspension for Dogs and Cats - Precise, Vet-Prescribed Pain Relief in a Liquid Format

Joint pain in dogs doesn't announce itself loudly. It shows up as a dog who's slower to get up in the morning, reluctant to climb stairs, less enthusiastic about walks - small changes that are easy to miss or dismiss as aging. In cats, it's even quieter. And yet chronic pain from arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, and post-surgical inflammation significantly affects quality of life, every single day.

The Intas Melonex Oral Suspension brings one of the most trusted veterinary NSAIDs - Meloxicam - into a liquid format that allows precise, weight-based dosing to the nearest fraction of a millilitre. For small dogs, cats, kittens, and any animal where a tablet is too large or a precise low dose is critical, the suspension format is often the more appropriate and effective choice over a tablet.

Manufactured and marketed by Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad - one of India's most established pharmaceutical companies, with a decades-long veterinary portfolio. Available in a 10 ml bottle at ₹77.

Each ml of suspension contains: Meloxicam IP - 1.5 mg.

This is a Schedule H prescription medication. Use only under veterinary supervision. The dose, frequency, and duration of treatment are entirely determined by your vet based on your pet's weight, diagnosis, and overall health.

What Are the Uses and Benefits of Intas Melonex Oral Suspension?

Melonex Oral Suspension is indicated wherever pain, inflammation, or fever need to be managed in dogs and cats. Here are the conditions where vets most commonly prescribe it:

• Osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain is the most common long-term use. In older dogs - Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and large breeds especially - arthritis is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting daily comfort and mobility. Meloxicam reduces the inflammation in the joint that causes pain, improves mobility, and meaningfully improves quality of life for arthritic dogs. For cats with joint pain - who often show subtle signs like reduced jumping or grooming changes - the suspension format allows the very low, precise doses needed for safe feline use.
• Post-surgical pain management is one of the most important acute uses. After any surgical procedure - spaying, neutering, orthopaedic surgery, tumour removal - the inflammatory response at the surgical site causes significant pain and swelling. Meloxicam at the correct vet-prescribed dose manages this effectively, supports recovery, and reduces the distress of the post-operative period.
• Musculoskeletal injuries - including sprains, strains, soft tissue injuries, and back pain - cause acute inflammation and pain that Melonex controls while the injury heals.
• Dental pain after tooth extractions or dental procedures responds well to post-procedure Meloxicam, making recovery more comfortable.
• Fever reduction - Meloxicam reduces fever in dogs and cats by inhibiting the prostaglandin-mediated fever response.
• Acute pain from trauma or injury - where fast, effective pain relief is needed before the cause can be fully investigated or treated.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

• Meloxicam is a selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAID. At the correct vet-prescribed dose, it has a better safety profile than older non-selective NSAIDs. But all NSAIDs carry risks that every pet parent should understand - particularly when used long-term.
• Gastrointestinal effects are the most common. Vomiting, loose stools, reduced appetite, or visible discomfort after taking the dose can occur - particularly if the suspension is given on an empty stomach. Always give with food. If GI symptoms persist or worsen, contact your vet.
• Gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding is a risk with long-term NSAID use in any species. Signs include dark or tarry stools, vomiting blood, sudden significant loss of appetite, or abdominal pain. This is a medical emergency - contact your vet immediately if you see any of these signs.
• Kidney effects - NSAIDs reduce blood flow to the kidneys and can worsen existing kidney disease or cause kidney damage in animals with pre-existing renal compromise. Your vet will assess kidney function before and during long-term treatment.
• Liver effects - elevated liver enzymes have been reported with Meloxicam use. For dogs on longer treatment courses, your vet will monitor liver values periodically.
• In cats, Meloxicam toxicity is a serious concern. Cats are significantly more sensitive to NSAIDs than dogs. Overdose - even a single extra dose - can cause acute kidney failure in cats. This is why cats require extremely precise, very low doses, and why the oral suspension (which can be measured to fractions of a millilitre) is the preferred format over tablets. Never give a dose intended for a dog to a cat.
• Neurological signs including dizziness or brief disorientation have been reported rarely at high doses.
• If your pet shows any unusual symptoms after starting Melonex - sudden lethargy, complete loss of appetite, drinking or urinating much more or less than usual, vomiting, or visible abdominal discomfort - contact your vet promptly.

How Should You Give Melonex Oral Suspension to Your Pet?

• Shake the bottle well before each use. Measure every dose precisely using the oral syringe your vet provides or a clean, calibrated oral syringe - do not estimate. With Meloxicam, particularly in cats, dosing precision is not optional.
• Give with food or immediately after a meal. This significantly reduces the risk of GI upset and is especially important during longer treatment courses.
• The suspension can be given directly into the side of the mouth using the syringe, or mixed into a small amount of food.
• Dosing is entirely as prescribed by your vet. General veterinary dosing guidance for reference only:

• Since each ml contains 1.5 mg Meloxicam, your vet will calculate the exact volume for your pet's weight. Never calculate doses yourself or adjust based on a previous prescription - always follow your vet's specific instructions.
• Long-term use in dogs for arthritis: your vet will establish the lowest effective dose and monitor with periodic bloodwork. Long-term use in cats is generally not recommended without specialist guidance.

How Does Melonex Oral Suspension Work?

• Meloxicam is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) - specifically, a preferential COX-2 inhibitor.
• To understand what this means without the jargon: when tissue is damaged - by injury, surgery, arthritis, or infection - the body produces enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 is responsible for producing prostaglandins, which are the chemical messengers that trigger inflammation, pain, and fever at the injury site. COX-1, on the other hand, plays a protective role - it helps maintain the stomach lining and kidney blood flow.
• Older NSAIDs blocked both COX-1 and COX-2 equally, which is why they caused significant stomach and kidney side effects. Meloxicam preferentially inhibits COX-2 while largely sparing COX-1 at therapeutic doses - meaning it reduces inflammation and pain without fully stripping away the stomach and kidney protection that COX-1 provides. This is why it's considered a safer NSAID than many older alternatives at the correct dose.
• The oral suspension format provides the same active molecule as the tablet - the key advantage is precision. For a 4 kg cat needing 0.2 mg of Meloxicam, a 2.5 mg tablet is impossible to split accurately. A 1.5 mg/ml suspension allows the same dose to be measured as 0.13 ml - achievable precisely with a calibrated syringe.
• Meloxicam begins working within 1-2 hours of administration. For chronic conditions like arthritis, full anti-inflammatory benefit builds over several days of consistent dosing.

What Safety Advice Should You Know Before Using Melonex Oral Suspension?

• This is a Schedule H prescription medication. Never self-prescribe, never use a previous prescription for a new condition, and never share medication between pets without a fresh vet assessment.
• Do not use in pets with known hypersensitivity to Meloxicam or any other NSAID.
• Do not use in dogs or cats with active gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding disorders, or significant kidney or liver disease without explicit vet guidance.
• Do not use alongside other NSAIDs (such as Carprofen or Aspirin) or corticosteroids (such as Prednisolone) - combining anti-inflammatory drugs dramatically increases the risk of serious GI and kidney adverse events. There must be a washout period between stopping one NSAID and starting another - your vet will advise on the appropriate gap.
• Never give a dog's dose to a cat. The concentration, volume, and dosing interval for cats is entirely different from dogs. Overdose in cats causes acute kidney failure and can be fatal.
• Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals without explicit vet guidance - safety has not been fully established in these cases.
• Do not use in puppies under 6 weeks of age or kittens without veterinary direction.
• For long-term use: your vet will monitor kidney function, liver enzymes, and overall health with periodic bloodwork - do not skip these follow-up assessments, as they allow early detection of any issues before they become serious.
• Always give with food. Store below 25°C away from direct sunlight. Shake before every use. Keep out of reach of children.

What Should You Do If You Miss a Dose?

• If you miss a scheduled dose, give it as soon as you remember - unless the next dose is very close, in which case skip the missed one and continue from there. Never give two doses at the same time.
• For pets on long-term Meloxicam for arthritis, consistency helps maintain stable anti-inflammatory coverage. Missing a dose occasionally won't cause harm but may result in your pet being more uncomfortable on that day. Setting a daily phone alarm tied to your pet's main meal time is the most reliable way to stay consistent.
• If your pet has missed multiple doses and their pain management has lapsed, contact your vet before resuming - they may want to reassess the current dose and your pet's condition before restarting.

What Are All the Substitutes for Intas Melonex Oral Suspension?

If Melonex Oral Suspension is unavailable or your vet recommends a different option, here are alternatives available on Supertails. Always confirm with your vet before switching - different products have different concentrations, dosing intervals, and safety profiles:

What Are Some Quick Tips for Using Melonex Oral Suspension Safely?

• Always use the calibrated syringe. The doses involved - particularly for cats - are fractions of a millilitre. A standard household teaspoon or syringe without clear 0.05 ml gradations is not accurate enough. Use the syringe your vet provides or a pharmacy-grade oral syringe with fine gradations.
• Give with food every single time - not just when you remember to. GI protection from NSAIDs comes from consistent administration with food throughout the course, not just occasionally.
• Never give your pet human Meloxicam (such as Mobic). Human formulations are a different concentration - one Mobic tablet contains 7.5 mg or 15 mg Meloxicam, compared to the 1.5 mg/ml concentration in the veterinary suspension. Using human Meloxicam at human doses is a severe and potentially fatal overdose, particularly in cats.
• Watch for early signs of GI problems - reduced appetite, reluctance to eat, dull eyes, slightly hunched posture, or dark stools. These can precede more serious GI events. Catching them early and contacting your vet means problems can be managed before they escalate.
• Do not stop abruptly if your dog has been on Meloxicam for a chronic condition without checking with your vet. For some pets on long-term NSAID therapy, the vet may want to taper rather than stop suddenly, particularly if transitioning to a different treatment.
• For dogs with arthritis, Meloxicam works best as part of a multi-modal pain management plan - combining it with joint supplements, appropriate controlled exercise, and weight management gives better long-term outcomes than medication alone. Explore the joint supplements for dogs collection on Supertails for vet-approved options to discuss with your vet.

Vets Also Recommend...

• The full pharmacy pain medication collection brings together all vet-approved pain and anti-inflammatory medications for dogs and cats - so you can compare options and discuss the right choice with your vet.
• For dogs on long-term Meloxicam for arthritis, the joint care supplements collection for dogs has Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Omega-3 supplements that support cartilage health and joint function alongside pharmaceutical pain management - a combination many Indian vets recommend for better long-term outcomes.
• For post-surgical recovery, the wound care medicines collection has topical care options to pair with systemic pain relief during the healing period.
• The dog health and wellness and cat health and wellness collections have recovery supplements, immune support, and gut health aids - particularly relevant for pets on longer NSAID courses where gut and kidney support is important.
• And for pets managing chronic pain or arthritis where ongoing monitoring and medication adjustments are needed, Supertails' online vet consultation service is available whenever you need professional input between clinic visits.

Disclaimer: Supertails' sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate, and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

Your Pet's Pain Deserves Precise, Vet-Trusted Relief

Pain in dogs and cats is real, it's daily, and it profoundly affects how they experience life. A dog who hurts gets up slower, plays less, eats reluctantly, and retreats from the family they love. A cat in pain stops jumping, stops grooming, stops being themselves. Melonex brings one of the most trusted veterinary anti-inflammatory drugs into a format that allows your vet to dose exactly right - to the fraction of a millilitre - so your pet gets the relief they need without the risk of too much or too little.

10 ml. Precise dosing. ₹77. Shop Intas Melonex Oral Suspension on Supertails - with a valid veterinary prescription, delivered to your door.

FAQs

What is Intas Melonex Oral Suspension used for in dogs and cats?

Melonex Oral Suspension contains Meloxicam 1.5 mg/ml - a preferential COX-2 inhibitor NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation in dogs and cats. It is prescribed for osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain, post-surgical recovery, musculoskeletal injuries, dental pain, fever, and acute pain from trauma. The liquid format allows precise weight-based dosing, making it the preferred format for cats and small dogs where tablet dosing is not accurate enough.

Why is the suspension format better than a tablet for cats?

Cats require extremely low, precise doses of Meloxicam - often 0.05 mg/kg per day, which for a 4 kg cat is just 0.2 mg. No tablet can be split to this accuracy. The 1.5 mg/ml suspension allows this dose to be measured as 0.13 ml using a calibrated syringe - achievable precisely every time. This accuracy is critical because Meloxicam overdose in cats can cause acute kidney failure. The suspension is the safer, more appropriate format for feline use.

Is Meloxicam safe for cats?

At the correct vet-prescribed dose, Meloxicam can be used in cats - but with significantly more caution than in dogs. Cats are far more sensitive to NSAIDs than dogs, and even a small overdose can cause serious kidney damage. Long-term use in cats is generally not recommended without specialist guidance. Always follow your vet's exact dose instructions for cats and never use a dose calculated for a dog on your cat.

Can I give my pet human Meloxicam (Mobic) instead?

Never. Human Meloxicam tablets (Mobic) contain 7.5 mg or 15 mg per tablet - the veterinary oral suspension contains 1.5 mg per ml. Using a human tablet on a pet is a severe overdose situation, particularly dangerous for cats. Always use the veterinary-formulated product at the veterinary-prescribed dose.

How long does it take for Melonex to start working?

Meloxicam begins reducing inflammation and pain within 1-2 hours of the first dose. For acute conditions like post-surgical pain or injury, meaningful relief is typically seen within the first day. For chronic arthritis, the full anti-inflammatory benefit builds over several days of consistent once-daily dosing - pets often show gradual, progressive improvement over the first week rather than immediate dramatic change.

Can Melonex be used alongside other pain medications?

No - never combine Meloxicam with another NSAID (such as Carprofen or Aspirin) or with corticosteroids (such as Prednisolone) without explicit vet guidance. Combining anti-inflammatory drugs dramatically increases the risk of GI ulceration, bleeding, and kidney damage. If your pet is transitioning from one NSAID to another, there must be a washout period - your vet will specify how long.

My dog has been on Melonex long-term. What monitoring is needed?

For dogs on long-term Meloxicam, your vet will schedule periodic bloodwork - typically every 3-6 months - to check kidney function, liver enzymes, and overall health. Do not skip these check-ins. Early detection of any NSAID-related organ effects allows dose adjustment or transition to an alternative before serious damage occurs. Your pet may feel fine while kidney or liver values are quietly changing - the bloodwork is the only way to know.

What should I do if my pet accidentally gets a double dose?

Contact your vet immediately - do not wait for symptoms. A double dose of Meloxicam, particularly in a cat, is a potential toxicity emergency. Your vet will advise on monitoring, whether the pet needs to be seen urgently, and any supportive care needed. Do not give the next scheduled dose until you've spoken to your vet and received clearance.