Meloxicam

💊 What is Meloxicam used for?

• •Relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) in adults
• •Relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
• •Relief of the signs and symptoms of pauciarticular or polyarticular course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in children who weigh 60 kg or more

How it works

The label says NSAIDs are used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from conditions such as different types of arthritis. The label does not give more detail about the mechanism.

How it is usually taken

• •The label describes it as a tablet taken once daily.
• •The label says it may be taken without regard to timing of meals.
• •The label says to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time that meets treatment goals.
• •The dose may be adjusted after the response to the first treatment is seen. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •7.5 mg light yellow, round tablets
• •15 mg light yellow, capsule-shaped tablets

⚠️ Meloxicam side effects

🛑 Who should not take Meloxicam, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have had an allergic reaction to meloxicam or any of its ingredients.
• 🚨You have had an asthma attack, hives, or another allergic-type reaction after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
• 🚨You are having heart bypass surgery (CABG), including right before or after it.
• 🚨You have had a recent heart attack, unless your healthcare provider tells you to take it. The label says this is because the risk of another heart attack may be higher.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider about any liver or kidney problems, high blood pressure, or asthma.
• •Tell your provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• •Tell your provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• •The label lists these risk factors for stomach ulcers and bleeding: past ulcers or stomach or intestinal bleeding, use of corticosteroids, anticoagulants, SSRIs, or SNRIs, smoking, drinking alcohol, older age, poor health, advanced liver disease, and bleeding problems.
• •The label says to talk to your healthcare provider before using over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days.
• •Do not start any new medicine without talking to your healthcare provider first.

🔀 Meloxicam with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Anticoagulants such as warfarin: the label says meloxicam and anticoagulants have a synergistic effect on bleeding, with an increased risk of serious bleeding.
• •Aspirin: the label says concomitant use of meloxicam and low-dose or analgesic-dose aspirin is not generally recommended because of increased bleeding risk. Meloxicam is not a substitute for low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular protection.
• •SSRIs and SNRIs: these may increase the risk of bleeding when used with an NSAID.
• •Antiplatelet agents: the label asks that patients be monitored for bleeding with these medicines.
• •ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or beta-blockers: NSAIDs may reduce their blood pressure effect. Blood pressure should be monitored. In older adults, people who are volume-depleted (including those on diuretics), or people with kidney impairment, the label says kidney function may worsen.
• •Corticosteroids: the Medication Guide lists these as increasing the risk of ulcers and bleeding with NSAIDs.

Alcohol and food

The label says meloxicam may be taken without regard to meals. The Medication Guide lists drinking alcohol as a factor that increases the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding with NSAIDs.

🤰 Meloxicam in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says NSAIDs, including meloxicam, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal kidney problems leading to low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios). The label says to limit dose and duration between about 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy and to avoid use at about 30 weeks and later. The label also says NSAIDs are associated with reversible infertility, and the prescriber may consider stopping meloxicam in women who have trouble conceiving.

Breastfeeding

The label says to tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed before starting this medicine. The provided label text does not give further details.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Keep it in a dry place in a tight container. Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says symptoms of an acute NSAID overdose have typically included lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach (epigastric) pain, which were generally reversible with supportive care. Stomach bleeding has occurred. High blood pressure, acute kidney failure, slowed breathing, and coma have occurred but were rare. There are no specific antidotes, and treatment is supportive. If you take too much, call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Meloxicam

• Is meloxicam the right choice for my type of arthritis, and how long will I need it?
• What is the lowest dose that works for me, and when should it be adjusted?
• What signs of heart attack, stroke, or stomach bleeding should I watch for, and what should I do if I notice them?
• Are any of my other medicines, including aspirin, blood thinners, or blood pressure medicines, safe to take with meloxicam?
• Should my blood pressure, kidney function, liver tests, or blood counts be checked during treatment?
• What should I do if I am pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding?

❓ Meloxicam: frequently asked questions