Meloxicam — what it treats, what it costs

What it should cost to fill

Strength	Cash price	With a discount card
7.5 mg tablet	$7 – $40	$4 – $12
15 mg tablet	$8 – $45	$4 – $14

Typical retail ranges, not quotes. What you are charged depends on the pharmacy and on how the claim is processed — which is exactly why it is worth asking.

Where the money goes

Cheap generic. For localised pain the OTC gel may replace a prescription entirely.

What else there is

Not recommendations. The tradeoff matters more than the name, and it is the part a prescriber will want to talk about.

Ibuprofen or naproxenSame class

Available over the counter and very cheap, but taken several times a day rather than once.

Topical diclofenac gelSame class

Over the counter now. For one or two painful joints it carries far less risk to the stomach and kidneys.

Worth asking

Would a topical anti-inflammatory work for my joint instead of a daily tablet?

Before you change anything. NSAIDs affect the stomach, kidneys and blood pressure. Check before combining them with a blood thinner.