Meloxicam is a once-daily non-steroid antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) that you can take by mouth at any time of the day. Try to take your medicine at the same time each day with food or a meal to help prevent an upset stomach. The manufacturer states you can take it with or without meals, but if it causes you stomach upset, you should take it with a meal. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible for your treatment, and for the shortest time period needed.