Overview
Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory medication. It is a patented and approved drug by FDA, also available as a generic medication. Commonly Meloxicam uses among populations as a drug to reduce pain and inflammation. Like all other medications, Meloxicam’s side effects are also known. Also, it belongs to the oxicam family of chemicals and is related to piroxicam. Its use is based on a benefit versus adverse reaction relation depending upon Meloxicam use benefits and side effects.
This article will highlight in detail Meloxicam uses and side effects.
What is Meloxicam?
It is a Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication and reduces hormones that cause Pain and inflammation in the body. We know it by the brand name Mobic, among many others. It is a Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) that helps treat Pain and inflammation in Osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases. You can take it by mouth or as an injection into a vein. Moreover, doctors recommend avoiding Use for prolonged periods. Medical professionals advise Low doses. Avoid Use in the third trimester of pregnancy.
What do I Inform my Doctors Before I Start Taking Meloxicam?
Inform a medical professional if you experience any of these conditions:
- Asthma
- Alcohol use
- Bleeding disorder
- Coronary artery bypass graft within the past two weeks
- Dehydration
- History of a Heart attack in past
- Heart diseases
- Heart failure symptoms
- Hypertension
- Liver disease
- Renal disease (Kidney problems)
- Smoking
- Any Stomach bleeding episode in past
- Gastric ulcers, other stomach or intestinal diseases
- If you are on anticoagulants (medications that prevent blood clots)
- If you are taking steroids like prednisone or dexamethasone
- Have a history of Allergic reactions to Meloxicam, other drugs, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to conceive
- Avoid Meloxicam in Breast-feeding ( It can pass to the baby by breast milk)
How to use Meloxicam?
- Take Meloxicam precisely as directed by a doctor or health care professional. Its dose varies with age, weight (especially in teenagers and children), gender (rule out pregnancy and breastfeeding), and medical disease.
- It is taken orally by mouth or as an injection. Take oral Meloxicam with or without food, but if it upsets your stomach, it is better to take it with food. Use it daily at the same time of the day.
- Dosage may vary for different brands, forms, or strengths. Only Use the power and build on the prescription. Regular medical tests may be required if using Meloxicam for a prolonged duration.
- While taking the oral form of this medication, drink a glass of water with it unless the doctor tells you otherwise. Remove the tablet from the package only when ready to take medicine. Place the tablet in the mouth and allow it to dissolve without chewing. Swallow as the tablet dissolves. Avoid lying down for 10 to 15 minutes after taking a tablet or capsule. When using the liquid form, always use a measuring cup to measure the exact dose of medication.
What to Avoid with Meloxicam?
There are some prospects associated with the medication. The following are some actions that need to be taken:
Limit Alcohol
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach and intestine. If you are indulging, make it a glass instead of a bottle.
Smoke
Smoking increases the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines, especially if you smoke regularly while taking Meloxicam. Therefore, avoid smoking if you are taking Meloxicam.
Mix Medications
Like oil and vinegar, certain medications don’t mix well. Drug interactions may happen when combining Meloxicam and other NSAIDs (like Advil, Aleve, Motrin, or Celebrex, to name a few). People who take Meloxicam should also avoid blood thinners (anticoagulants), oral steroids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac or Zoloft, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
When Should you not take Meloxicam?
When considering meloxicam, knowing the potential risks and contraindications is important. You should not take meloxicam if you have a history of allergic reactions to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Additionally, if you have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers or are taking blood thinners or corticosteroids, you should avoid meloxicam. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication to ensure it’s safe.
Avoid taking Meloxicam if you are facing the following symptoms:
- Anemia
- Asthma
- Bleeding problems
- Congestive heart failure
- Dehydration
- Edema
- Heart attack history, if any
- Heart or blood vessel disease
- Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Liver disease
- Stomach ulcers or bleeding, history of
- Stroke, history of Use with caution. This may make these conditions worse
- Heart surgery
- Kidney disease, severe
- Phenylketonuria-ODT contains aspartame, which can make this condition worse.
Is Meloxicam addictive?
- Many patients and doctors consider it a non-addictive alternative to opioids. Luckily, Meloxicam is not habit-forming like opioid painkillers are. It does not change how brain chemistry works to create compulsive abuse.
- Meloxicam is not an addictive drug. Meloxicam can lead to psychological issues.
- But one cannot neglect that Meloxicam tends to get abuse like an opioid.
Is Meloxicam a Blood Thinner?
- Meloxicam interferes with the body’s ability to form blood clots. So, when Meloxicam is taken with blood thinners such as warfarin, there is an increased risk of bleeding episodes, particularly stomach bleeding.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including Meloxicam) may increase the risk of blood clots. This can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It should not be used if you recently had heart bypass surgery.
How long does it Require Meloxicam to Start Working?
Meloxicam can require up to two weeks to start working in full effect. Also, some people may experience Pain, swelling, tenderness, or stiffness improvements within 24 to 72 hours. For other people, it could take a few months to start noticing an improvement in symptoms.
Can you take Meloxicam with Ibuprofen?
You can take them together, but taking both drugs simultaneously will not provide added benefit. Most people take Ibuprofen without realizing that Meloxicam is the same kind of medicine.
Side Effects of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Together
These drugs can increase the chances of side effects if taken together. The most likely damage is to the stomach or kidneys.
Common symptoms to look for include:
- Cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
- Loss of appetite
- Ringing in the ears
- Pain in the stomach (upper right part)
- Difficult or painful urination
- Gas or bloating
- Headache
- Swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs
Meloxicam and Ibuprofen do not have an additive effect. Moreover, many pain medications have an additive effect. If you are concerned about which medications you can take with Meloxicam, Consult one of our doctors now.
Meloxicam vs Ibuprofen
Difference
- Meloxicam is a more potent medicine.
- Meloxicam is available on prescription, while Ibuprofen is available over the counter.
- Meloxicam is a long-acting drug that only needs to be given once a day, whereas the dose of Ibuprofen is three to four times a day.
- Ibuprofen is FDA-approved for treating most mild-to-moderate painful conditions, like toothache, back pain, primary dysmenorrhea, and Pain or inflammation caused by arthritis. Meloxicam is only for the treatment of inflammation caused by arthritis.
- The chances of gastrointestinal disturbances and cardiovascular events appear higher with Meloxicam than with Ibuprofen.
Similarities
- Meloxicam and Ibuprofen belong to the class of medicines known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Meloxicam and Ibuprofen treat fever, Pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Dosing of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen
Meloxicam is only available with a prescription. It is a long-acting drug. As a result, you only take it once a day. It is available in three different forms, which include:
- 7.5 mg tablets
- 10 mg tablets
- 7.5 mg/5 mL oral suspension
The typical dose a person would take is 7.5 mg daily, though this can vary based on condition and doctors’ instructions.
The effects can last up to 24 hours and usually are in full effect six hours after taking the medication. Some benefits can be noted within 60 minutes of consumption.
Ibuprofen is available over-the-counter, without a prescription. It is a short-acting drug; as a result, it may need to be taken more than once throughout the day, depending on the condition it is treating. Ibuprofen typically comes in 200mg tablets.
The typical dose a person would take is one to two tablets or 200 to 400 mg every four to six hours. Unless a doctor says otherwise, you can repeat this dose up to 1200 mg or six tablets in 24 hours.
Diclofenac vs Meloxicam?
- Diclofenac is an effective drug for pain relief but may associate with a high risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks if compared with other NSAIDs.
- Diclofenac is for Ankylosing Spondylitis, Aseptic Necrosis, Pain, Back Pain, Frozen Shoulder,
- Osteoarthritis, Period Pain, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Spondyloarthritis, Migraine, and Muscle Pain.
- Meloxicam is more effective for short-term relief; however, like other NSAIDs, it can adversely affect the stomach or heart and increase bleeding.
- Meloxicam is for Osteoarthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Pain.
- Diclofenac and Meloxicam are both not controlled substances.
- Both drugs can increase the risk of bleeding due to their antiplatelet effects.
- Both can have drug interactions with blood thinners and blood pressure medications.
- The half-life of Meloxicam is 20 hours, while that of diclofenac is 2 hours. Half-life is the time it takes for the quantity of the drug to reduce to half its original amount. Meloxicam stays in the body longer; you can take it once daily. At the same time, diclofenac stays in the body for a shorter time, and you can take it multiple times daily.
Meloxicam vs Celebrex
- Meloxicam and Celebrex belong to a class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They work by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and Pain in the body.
- Meloxicam helps treat Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Osteoarthritis.
- Celebrex is more specific in its target (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) and may cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects than regular NSAIDs like Meloxicam and diclofenac.
- Celebrex has the lowest risk of heart attack compared to other NSAIDs.
Celebrex helps treat:
- Pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Menstrual cramps
- Osteoarthritis
Meloxicam vs Naproxen
- Mobic (Meloxicam) and Naprosyn (naproxen) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that treat Pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.
- Naprosyn is useful in pain management for many diseases and inflammatory diseases such as bursitis, tendonitis, and gout.
- Mobic and Naprosyn risks include headache, skin rash, stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, gas, dizziness, or nervousness.
- Moreover, Mobic’s side effects differ from Naprosyn, including sore throat, drowsiness, and runny or stuffy nose.
- While side effects of Naprosyn that are different from Mobic include constipation, blurred vision, heartburn, stomach or abdominal Pain, ringing in your ears, and itching.
- Both may interact with lithium, diuretics (water pills), alcohol, antidepressants, blood thinners, steroids, heart or blood pressure medications, aspirin, methotrexate, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Risk and Complications
Like every drug on the market, Meloxicam can cause specific risks and complications like gas, constipation, and sore throat. It is important to be aware of these before taking Meloxicam for any length of time. The most common side effects associated with Meloxicam include the following:
Diarrhea
An upset stomach is the most common risk of Meloxicam. That is why you should take it with food.
Allergic Reactions
Asthmatics are at a higher risk of experiencing severe allergic reactions to the drug. Similarly, people allergic to NSAIDS are susceptible to allergic reactions such as shortness of breath.
Skin Reactions
Typical skin conditions from Mobic use include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and exfoliative dermatitis.
Dizziness
Dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision are side effects of the central nervous system.
Meloxicam can cause kidney and stomach problems, ulcers, bleeding, and intestine holes. Those who already have kidney problems should probably refrain from taking Meloxicam. It can also cause a higher risk of heart attack and increase blood pressure to hypertension. Meloxicam can also cause an overdose if taken in higher amounts than prescribed. Whatever you do, ensure you understand the risks of Meloxicam before taking it.
Note: All of these side effects are common and usually mild. In most cases, they will disappear in a few days or at least a week.
Does Meloxicam cause weight gain?
- Weight gain and loss are uncommon side effects of Meloxicam, observed in less than 2% of people taking it. However, fluid retention (edema) is a common side effect, reported in 0.6% to 4.5% of people taking Meloxicam in clinical studies. Left untreated, edema can lead to cardiovascular problems, including congestive heart failure in vulnerable people. An unexplained rise in body weight can partly identify fluid retention. Involuntary weight gain should be reported to the prescribing physician or other healthcare professional.
- Sudden weight gain while taking Mobic may be caused by bodily fluid retention. It results in swelling of the body and an increase in weight.
What can other Pain Relievers be Taken with Meloxicam?
Tylenol, the brand name of Acetaminophen, can be taken to relieve Pain and other symptoms of arthritis.
Avoid taking other NSAIDs with meloxicam, like over-the-counter Naproxen. Always discuss with a doctor if you are taking more than one medication.
FAQs about Meloxicam Answered by Your Doctors Online Team
1. Meloxicam is a once-daily non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug that you can take by mouth at any time of the day.
2. It’s best to take your drug at the same time as food or a meal to help prevent an upset stomach.
Meloxicam works well for Pain and swelling. Meloxicam is a strong painkiller that is available on prescription.
The side effects of Meloxicam do not include drowsiness or sleepiness.
Meloxicam is not a narcotic. It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Its primary use is to treat inflammation.
It cannot cause euphoria that could lead to addiction or substance abuse.
You can take Tylenol, the brand name of acetaminophen, and Meloxicam together to relieve Pain and other symptoms of arthritis.
It will take about 80 hours for Meloxicam to exit your system entirely, making it almost three days.
