A Multi-Center Trial to Compare Three Doses of Meloxicam and Placebo in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inclusion Criteria: * Age greater than or equal to 18 and less than or equal to 80 * Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis for at least six weeks * Taking an NSAID * If female: using adequate contraception * Willingness to stop current NSAID until criteria reached to begin study drug * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Intolerance or hypersensitivity to NSAIDs or ingredients of trial drug * Pregnancy, lactating * Use of investigational drug within 30 days prior to entering the trial * History of peptic ulcer or of gastrointestinal hemorrhage except simple hemorrhoidal bleeding * History of cerebrovascular or other bleeding disorder * Severe hypertension * Other disease that might interfere with safety of the patient or evaluation of trial drug (investigator's opinion) * RA of functional class IV * Synovectomy in any large joint within the past 6 months prior to entering the trial or planned during trial * Concomitant therapy with anticoagulant, therapeutic doses of aspirin, phenothiazines, lithium, chronic GI-medication, analgesic drug (except acetaminophen up to 4 grams/day) * DMARDs initiated within past three months or dose changed less than two months before entering the trial * Therapy with corticosteroids exceeding 10 mg/day prednisone equivalent or change in dose within 1 month before trial * Concomitant therapy with ACTH within past month before entering the trial. * History of narcotic or alcohol abuse (past 12 months) * Abnormal laboratory values * Previous participation in the present trial