Meloxicam is taken once daily at a dose of 7.5 mg or 15 mg, whereas ibuprofen 200 mg tablets are taken every six to eight hours. However, ibuprofen is available over the counter whereas meloxicam is a prescription medication only. Hi there! I was just prescribed meloxicam 15mg for arthritis along with prilosec for acid reflux. I was wondering if you could tell me if meloxicam would be better for pain relief compared to 800mg ibuprofen. Meloxicam is easier on the stomach than Ibuprofen. That is the biggest difference, since they are both nonsteroidals' they work the same. However be careful and always always consult you Dr. because Meloxicam is a little harder on you than ibuprofen if you are on BP meds. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug but has fewer gastrointestinal side effects than other anti-inflammatory drugs that is why you have also been prescribed with prilosec. Ibuprofen vs. meloxicam (Mobic) quick comparison of differences Ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin , and others) and meloxicam ( Mobic ) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) used for the management of mild to moderate pain , fever , and inflammation. Is Meloxicam Stronger Than Ibuprofen? Ibuprofen was approved for use by the Food and Drug administration in 1974. It is commonly sold under the brand names Motrin, Advil and, Ibuprin. Both medications are nonsteroidal anti inflammatories that can be hard on the stomach. The Meloxicam will probably work better than the ibuprophen and as long as you take with food you should be fine. Advil (ibuprofen) is effective for treating fever, pain, and inflammation. Good for relieving pain due to common conditions like menstrual cramps, toothaches, backaches, and sports-related injuries. While meloxicam is less likely cause stomach ulcers and gastric bleeding than many other NSAIDs (including ibuprofen), it can still result in gastric bleeding due to its effects on platelets. Compare Ibuprofen vs. Meloxicam, which is better for uses like: Pain, RA and Joint Pain. Compare head-to-head ratings, side effects, warnings, dosages, interactions and patient reviews. Patients rated Ibuprofen 3.9/5 over Meloxicam 3.4/5 in overall satisfaction.