The pharmacodynamic properties of meloxicam, a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), that go beyond those typical of an NSAID were examined. The extent to which meloxican shows NSAID-like interactions with paracetamol, pirenzepine, chlorthalidone, phenprocoumon and tolbutamide was also investigated. In the dose range studied, meloxicam had no influence on the blood pressure of the unanaesthetized rat, blood flow, heart rate, ECG and respiratory minute volume of the anaesthetized cat or on the blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory minute volume of the anaesthetized dog. The acute toxicity level of meloxicam after oral and parenteral administration to the rat and mouse proved considerably lower than that of indomethacin. Meloxicam showed excellent tissue tolerability following parenteral administration. The effects against inflammatory pain and acute antiexudative effects of meloxicam were enhanced by simultaneous low doses of paracetamol. Pirenzepine showed an antagonistic effect on the ulcerogenicity of meloxicam in the rat stomach. The diuretic effect of chlorthalidone in the rat was not influenced by high doses of meloxicam. The effect of phenprocoumon in the rat was enhanced by high doses of meloxicam. However, the hypoglycaemic effect of tolbutamide in the rabbit was not influenced by meloxicam.