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Loflam

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Loflam

Loflam_SR

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Loflam

Property Description
Active Ingredients Aceclofenac, Meloxicam
Form Tablet (Oral Dosage Form)
Pharmacological Class Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
General Purpose Pain Relief and Inflammation Reduction
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Loflam and What is its Composition?

Loflam is a synthetic, combination pharmaceutical product classified as a dual Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) and an antirheumatic agent. Its core identity relies on the co-formulation of two distinct active ingredients: Aceclofenac and Meloxicam. Aceclofenac is categorized as an acetic acid derivative, while Meloxicam belongs to the oxicam chemical class. The combination of these two agents integrates mechanisms from two established NSAID subclasses, an approach to manage complex inflammatory signaling. This dual-action composition offers a differentiation point from single-agent NSAID formulations.

Understanding the General Purpose of Loflam

The fundamental general purpose of Loflam is to provide simultaneous relief from pain and the reduction of underlying inflammation by interrupting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators. This action is achieved primarily through the inhibition of the Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme. The dual presence of Aceclofenac and Meloxicam is intended to limit the production of prostaglandins—the chemical messengers that trigger swelling, discomfort, and stiffness in the body. The general benefit is the support of patients dealing with chronic inflammatory symptoms, assisting in the restoration of physical comfort and an improved range of motion in affected tissues.

What is the Physical Form and Origin of Loflam?

Loflam is supplied as a solid oral dosage form, typically presented as a tablet or a film-coated tablet, which is designed for systemic absorption following ingestion. The active components are entirely synthetic in origin, meaning they are chemically manufactured rather than derived from natural sources, ensuring standardized quality. This makes Loflam a controlled, standardized oral preparation, specifically packaged for convenient and efficient delivery of its dual active agents into the body's system, positioning it for routine, systemic management rather than localized application.

What side effects are possible with Loflam?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The official regulatory documentation for this combination NSAID (Aceclofenac/Meloxicam) outlines the possible adverse reactions based on their frequency and the body system affected. These classifications ensure a neutral, standardized understanding of the medicine's safety profile.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The adverse reactions are grouped into categories such as Common (affecting up to 1 in 10 patients) and Uncommon (affecting up to 1 in 100 patients). Common effects documented in regulatory sources primarily involve Gastrointestinal Disorders (e.g., dyspepsia, nausea, abdominal pain) and the Nervous System (e.g., headache, dizziness). Uncommon reactions may include flatulence, rash, and oedema.

System-Organ Classes and Serious Adverse Reactions

The safety profile extends to multiple system-organ classes, including Hepatobiliary Disorders (e.g., elevations in liver enzymes) and Renal and Urinary Disorders. Importantly, official labels highlight specific Serious Adverse Reactions associated with the NSAID class.

These critical risks include the potential for Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, or perforation. Furthermore, the medicine is associated with an increased risk of serious arterial thrombotic events, such as Myocardial Infarction and Stroke.

Population-Specific Constraints

Regulatory documentation defines safety constraints for specific populations. Older adults are documented to be at increased risk of serious gastrointestinal and renal adverse events. Use is specifically contraindicated in patients with active gastrointestinal bleeding/ulceration, severe uncontrolled heart failure, or following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Official labels also note that the risk of some serious cardiovascular events may increase with the duration of use, while GI effects are often noted at the initiation of treatment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help: Official Regulatory Guidance

This information is strictly based on documented overdose manifestations and mandated actions as described in government regulatory prescribing information for the active ingredients in Loflam (Aceclofenac and Meloxicam).

Seek immediate medical attention for all suspected overdoses. You should contact your local emergency services or a poison control center right away. Urgent help is required if the person collapses, experiences a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

Official regulatory documents list the following possible signs of an NSAID overdose:

  • Gastrointestinal Effects: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and abdominal pain.
  • CNS Effects: Drowsiness, lethargy, headache, confusion, and agitation.
  • Severe Outcomes: Life-threatening complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, acute renal failure, convulsions (seizures), coma, and cardiovascular collapse are documented.

Official Management and Response

Requirement Category Official Action as Documented
Antidote No specific antidote for NSAID overdose is available.
Supportive Measures Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. May include gastric lavage and the administration of activated charcoal to absorb remaining medication.
Monitoring Patients require monitoring of vital signs and laboratory parameters in a hospital setting. Hospital admission is indicated for severe symptoms or intentional overdose.

Population-Specific Risk: Regulatory labeling notes that elderly patients and those with a prior history of GI bleeding are at a greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events following an overdose.

Therapeutic Uses of Loflam

The medicine is generally used to provide supportive symptomatic relief across conditions marked by significant pain and underlying inflammation, which may contribute to improved day-to-day comfort and stability. The active components may be part of symptomatic management for pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness associated with various inflammatory conditions.

The combination is relevant in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis, and is commonly applied in scenarios where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed from acute injuries or following surgical or dental procedures. It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense, specifically persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

“This provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden and may assist with maintaining functional stability when symptoms are more noticeable.”

This provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities, contributing to improved day-to-day comfort during symptomatic periods.

Quick Fact: Relevant for Joint Stiffness and Acute Pain Management.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use Loflam?

Loflam is restricted to adult patients (18 years and older) and cannot be used by certain populations due to official regulatory contraindications.

Contraindicated Populations

Use of Loflam is absolutely prohibited in patients with a known history of allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). It must not be taken by those with active or recurrent stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, or by patients diagnosed with severe heart failure, severe renal failure, or severe hepatic failure. Furthermore, it is strictly contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy and in the setting of peri-operative pain for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.

Restricted or Not Recommended Use

The medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age due to insufficient data. Use is generally restricted in older adults (65 years and older), patients with mild to moderate liver or kidney impairment, and those with uncontrolled hypertension. Women who are breastfeeding or in the first or second trimester of pregnancy should only use Loflam if specifically advised. The medicine is also not recommended for women who are attempting to conceive.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Loflam's interaction profile is synthesized from the official regulatory documentation for its dual NSAID components, Aceclofenac and Meloxicam. Interaction restrictions formally advise against co-administration with other NSAIDs or analgesic doses of Aspirin due to a documented increase in the risk of serious gastrointestinal events. The medicine is also restricted from use in the peri-operative setting of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.

The drug has significant pharmacodynamic interactions that increase the risk of bleeding when co-administered with Anticoagulants, Antiplatelet agents, SSRIs/SNRIs, or systemic Corticosteroids. Furthermore, Loflam may diminish the therapeutic efficacy of anti-hypertensive agents, including ACE inhibitors and ARBs, and reduce the natriuretic effect of diuretics. This interference with renal function is noted in the labeling as being of greater risk in the elderly or those with pre-existing renal impairment.

A key pharmacokinetic interaction involves substances with narrow therapeutic indices: Loflam reduces the elimination of Lithium and Methotrexate, officially leading to increased plasma concentrations of these medicines. Regulatory labeling also specifies that Loflam should not be used for 8 to 12 days following Mifepristone administration, and that Alcohol intake may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Mechanism of Action

How Loflam Works: Mechanistic Domains

Core Mechanism: Dual Prostaglandin Synthesis Inhibition

This domain addresses the drug’s central action on the Cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) enzyme. Both Aceclofenac and Meloxicam act as preferential inhibitors, blocking the enzymatic conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory prostaglandins ( PGE2). This primary intervention restricts the biochemical events that characterize the inflammatory process.

Supplementary Modulation of Inflammatory Mediators

Beyond COX inhibition, Aceclofenac's mechanism extends to the modulation of other signaling molecules, including certain cytokines ( IL-1beta, TNFalpha) and Matrix Metalloproteinases ( MMPs), which are involved in extracellular matrix turnover. By influencing the activity of these mediators, the drug modulates secondary pathways that reduce the inflammatory signal and influence the process of matrix turnover.

Mechanistic Synergy and Temporal Action Profile

This mechanism relies on the complementary profiles of the two active components. The combination utilizes the differing kinetic profiles to achieve continuous suppression of PGE2 synthesis throughout the mechanism's duration of action. This targeted physiological adjustment results in a modulated state within the targeted biochemical pathways.

Dosage and Administration Information

Instruction Map: How to use Loflam — Administration Guidelines

Loflam is a fixed-dose combination product containing Aceclofenac 100 mg and Meloxicam 7.5 mg. Administration is based on the properties of both active agents.

Administration Scope

Feature Instruction
Route of administration Oral administration only, via the tablet formulation.
Dosing schedule The fixed-dose contains Aceclofenac 100 mg and Meloxicam 7.5 mg. The maximum recommended daily dosage for the Meloxicam component is 15 mg.
Timing in relation to meals May be taken with or without food. Taking the tablet with food affects only the rate, but not the total extent, of systemic absorption.
Preparation requirements The tablet must be swallowed whole with liquid and should not be crushed, broken, or chewed.
Age-group administration rules Impaired Function: Dose modifications are required for specific patient groups; for example, the Meloxicam component maximum is 7.5 mg per day for patients on hemodialysis. Pediatric Use: Generally not recommended for individuals under 18 due to insufficient data.
Special procedural conditions Treatment should be limited to the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration necessary to manage symptoms.

Instruction Classifications (High-Level)

Feature Classification
Administration method type Oral
Frequency pattern Once Daily (QD)

Resulting procedural structure

Step sequence:

  • Swallow the oral tablet whole with a sufficient quantity of liquid.
  • Administer the tablet once daily (QD), adhering to the specified combination dosage.
  • Limit the total treatment time to the shortest possible duration consistent with the established usage protocol.

Connection to the overall use protocol

The use of Loflam is structured around a once-daily oral schedule that must not be manipulated by crushing or chewing the tablet. This systemic administration protocol emphasizes adherence to the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary period, establishing a controlled, short-term usage approach. Specific dose adjustments are required for patients with certain degrees of hepatic or renal impairment, making these adjustments a part of the use protocol.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence Overview

The clinical understanding of Loflam is built upon research conducted for its two individual active components: Aceclofenac and Meloxicam. Both agents are established Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) that have been evaluated primarily in well-structured Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Systematic Reviews tracking how symptoms change over defined time intervals in adult populations.

Evidence Supporting Chronic Conditions (OA, RA, AS)

Research has explored the use of the active ingredients in chronic conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, including Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). These short- to mid-term studies monitored outcomes related to physical discomfort by measuring pain intensity and functional capacity through patient-reported scores. Findings describe patterns observed in research cohorts related to measured changes in symptoms such as joint tenderness and limited movement over observation periods, often up to six months. The evidence contributes to the broader research landscape exploring symptomatic patterns in these populations.

Evidence for Use in Acute Pain Management

The active components were also studied for use in acute, disruptive episodes of pain, such as those that may occur after surgical or dental procedures. These were typically designed as very short-course studies focusing on episodes where symptoms become more noticeable. Research explored short-term symptom changes, with measurements taken of the time required for symptom changes to occur and the use of supplemental pain relief. The time required for the standard oral form to reach its measured effect may be longer than that observed for certain rapid-onset agents.

Key Limitations and Areas of Research Uncertainty

A primary limitation is that comparative evidence is lacking for the specific dual-agent combination (Loflam); its performance is largely inferred from the established track records of its individual components. Additionally, long-term outcomes are not fully established across the entire evidence base, as most efficacy trials have limited follow-up durations. Data for certain groups remain insufficient, meaning there is limited information for symptomatic response in special populations, such as pediatric or pregnant individuals.

Key Studies & References

  1. Meloxicam Oral Drug Information (NIH MedlinePlus)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Loflam (FAQ)

Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of Loflam?

Regulatory information addresses how to handle a missed dose, stating that one may take it as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, it is advised to skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Regulatory guidance advises against taking a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Q: What is the recommended maximum single dose of Loflam?

Loflam is manufactured as a fixed-dose combination tablet containing 100 mg of Aceclofenac and 7.5 mg of Meloxicam. This combination product is administered according to a once-daily (QD) schedule, as defined in the official protocol. The total daily intake of Meloxicam should not exceed the maximum amount specified in its regulatory labeling.

Q: How long should I take Loflam for acute pain?

Official regulatory documents state that treatment protocols emphasize using the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration necessary to manage symptoms. For the treatment of sudden or acute pain, the research studies for the active components were generally designed as very short-course treatments.

Q: Can I take Loflam if I am also taking an SSRI for depression?

Regulatory documents indicate that co-administration of this medicine with certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs, may increase the risk of bleeding. Due to the potential for interactions, the co-administration of both agents is typically managed under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Q: What is the difference between an NSAID and an opioid?

Loflam is classified as a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), which works by reducing the body’s production of inflammatory substances. Opioids are a distinct class of medicine that act on the central nervous system to block pain signals. Unlike opioids, NSAIDs are not scheduled as controlled substances.

Q: What conditions is Loflam used to treat?

The active components in Loflam have been studied for their ability to provide relief from the signs and symptoms of inflammatory conditions. This includes chronic conditions such as Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

Q: Is it safe to drive after taking Loflam?

Official product information for the components notes that some adverse effects, such as dizziness or headaches, may occur. Patients who experience such effects are generally cautioned regarding their ability to drive or operate machinery.

Q: Is Loflam a controlled substance?

No, Loflam is classified as a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID). Since it is not an opioid, it is not subject to the scheduling requirements of controlled substances.

How should Loflam be stored and disposed of?

Official Storage and Disposal Requirements

The following requirements for Loflam (Aceclofenac 100 mg tablets) are based on authoritative government regulatory documents.

Storage and Stability Classification Requirement
Storage Temperature Do not store above 25 C or 30 C (controlled room temperature, depending on authorization).
Handling/Protection Keep in the original container, protected from light and moisture.
Shelf Life 3 to 4 years for the unopened package.
Disposal Instructions Dispose of any unused or expired product in accordance with local requirements. Avoid release into the environment, such as by flushing down toilets or drains.

These official statements define that the product must be kept in its primary packaging within a specified temperature range and should not be discarded into wastewater systems, aligning with general standards for pharmaceutical waste.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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