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Mobic tab 15mg. Mobic (Meloxicam): Comprehensive Guide to Uses, Side Effects, and Dosage

What are the primary uses of Mobic (meloxicam). How does meloxicam work to reduce pain and inflammation. What are the most common side effects of taking meloxicam. When should you seek immediate medical attention while using Mobic. How does meloxicam interact with other medications.

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Understanding Meloxicam: An Overview of the NSAID

Meloxicam, commonly known by its brand name Mobic, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that plays a crucial role in managing various types of pain and inflammation. This medication is available in multiple forms, including oral tablets, injections, and oral capsules, providing flexibility in administration based on patient needs and preferences.

As a prescription drug, meloxicam is primarily used to address conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children aged 2 years and older. Its effectiveness in reducing inflammation and alleviating pain has made it a popular choice among healthcare providers for managing these chronic conditions.

How Does Meloxicam Work?

Meloxicam’s mechanism of action involves reducing the levels of prostaglandin, a hormone-like substance that typically causes inflammation. By lowering prostaglandin levels, meloxicam helps decrease swelling and alleviate pain associated with various inflammatory conditions. This targeted approach makes it an effective option for managing both acute and chronic pain scenarios.

Meloxicam Formulations and Availability

Meloxicam is available in several formulations to suit different patient needs:

  • Oral tablets
  • Injections
  • Oral capsules

The oral tablet form is particularly popular and is available as both the brand-name drug Mobic and in generic versions. Generic meloxicam typically offers a more cost-effective alternative to the brand-name medication, although it may not be available in all strengths or forms as Mobic.

Primary Uses of Meloxicam: Managing Arthritis and Inflammation

Meloxicam is approved for the treatment of several conditions characterized by pain and inflammation:

  1. Osteoarthritis
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis
  3. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older

These conditions often result in chronic pain and reduced quality of life for patients. Meloxicam’s ability to target inflammation at its source makes it an invaluable tool in managing these diseases and improving patients’ daily functioning.

Can meloxicam be used for acute pain?

While meloxicam is primarily prescribed for chronic conditions, it may sometimes be used for acute pain management under a doctor’s guidance. However, its primary indications remain focused on long-term inflammatory conditions.

Common Side Effects of Meloxicam: What to Expect

Like all medications, meloxicam can cause side effects. It’s important for patients to be aware of these potential effects and to communicate any concerns with their healthcare provider. Common side effects of meloxicam include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion or heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Itching or rash

These side effects are typically mild and may resolve on their own within a few days to weeks. However, if these effects persist or worsen, it’s crucial to consult with a doctor or pharmacist for guidance.

Are side effects of meloxicam different in children?

Children may experience certain side effects more frequently than adults when taking meloxicam. For instance, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur more often in pediatric patients. Parents and caregivers should monitor children closely and report any concerning symptoms to their healthcare provider.

Serious Side Effects: Recognizing When to Seek Medical Attention

While less common, meloxicam can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Patients should be vigilant for signs of:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Stomach and intestinal problems (bleeding, ulcers, or tearing)
  • Liver damage
  • Severe high blood pressure
  • Kidney damage
  • Skin reactions (blistering, peeling, or red skin rash)
  • Anemia

If any symptoms of these serious side effects occur, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services.

How can patients minimize the risk of serious side effects?

To minimize the risk of serious side effects, patients should:

  1. Follow the prescribed dosage carefully
  2. Inform their doctor of all other medications and supplements they’re taking
  3. Undergo regular check-ups and monitoring as recommended by their healthcare provider
  4. Report any unusual symptoms promptly
  5. Avoid alcohol and tobacco use while taking meloxicam

Drug Interactions: Important Considerations for Meloxicam Use

Meloxicam can interact with various other medications, potentially affecting its efficacy or increasing the risk of side effects. It’s crucial for patients to disclose all medications, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements, to their healthcare provider before starting meloxicam.

Which medications commonly interact with meloxicam?

Some medications that may interact with meloxicam include:

  • Antidepressants and anxiety drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
  • Other NSAIDs or aspirin
  • Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin)
  • Certain blood pressure medications
  • Diuretics
  • Lithium
  • Methotrexate

These interactions can lead to increased bleeding risk, reduced effectiveness of certain medications, or elevated risk of side effects. Healthcare providers will consider these potential interactions when prescribing meloxicam and may adjust dosages or recommend alternative treatments if necessary.

Proper Usage and Dosage Guidelines for Meloxicam

The appropriate dosage of meloxicam varies depending on the condition being treated, the patient’s age, and other individual factors. It’s essential to follow the prescribing physician’s instructions carefully and not exceed the recommended dose.

What is the typical dosage for adults?

For adults, typical dosages may include:

  • Osteoarthritis: 7.5 mg once daily, which may be increased to 15 mg once daily if needed
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: 7.5 mg once daily, which may be increased to 15 mg once daily if needed

The maximum recommended daily dose for adults is 15 mg. Patients should take the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible to minimize the risk of side effects.

How is meloxicam dosed for children?

For children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis:

  • Children weighing less than 60 kg: 0.125 mg/kg once daily, up to a maximum of 7.5 mg per day
  • Children weighing 60 kg or more: 7.5 mg once daily

Pediatric dosing should be carefully monitored and adjusted by a healthcare provider based on the child’s response to treatment and any side effects experienced.

Special Precautions and Considerations for Meloxicam Use

Certain groups of patients may need to take special precautions when using meloxicam or may not be suitable candidates for this medication. These groups include:

  • Elderly patients
  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding mothers
  • Patients with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding
  • Individuals with liver or kidney disease
  • Patients with heart disease or at risk for heart problems
  • Those with a history of asthma or allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs

These patients should discuss the risks and benefits of meloxicam use with their healthcare provider to determine if it’s an appropriate treatment option.

Can meloxicam be used during pregnancy?

Meloxicam is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, as it may cause harm to the developing fetus. Pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should consult their healthcare provider for alternative pain management options.

Long-term Use of Meloxicam: Benefits and Risks

While meloxicam can be effective for long-term management of chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, prolonged use carries certain risks. Patients on long-term meloxicam therapy should be aware of these potential issues and work closely with their healthcare provider to monitor for any complications.

What are the potential risks of long-term meloxicam use?

Long-term use of meloxicam may increase the risk of:

  • Cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke)
  • Gastrointestinal complications (ulcers, bleeding)
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver damage
  • High blood pressure

Regular check-ups, blood tests, and open communication with healthcare providers are essential for patients on long-term meloxicam therapy to ensure the benefits continue to outweigh the risks.

How can patients safely manage long-term use of meloxicam?

To safely manage long-term use of meloxicam, patients should:

  1. Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
  2. Undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver and kidney function
  3. Report any new or worsening symptoms promptly
  4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet and exercise
  5. Consider periodic treatment breaks or dose reductions under medical supervision

By following these guidelines and working closely with their healthcare team, patients can maximize the benefits of meloxicam while minimizing potential risks associated with long-term use.

Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

  1. Meloxicam oral tablet is available as both a generic and brand-name drug. Brand name: Mobic.
  2. Meloxicam comes in three forms: an oral tablet, an injection, and an oral capsule.
  3. Meloxicam oral tablets are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They’re used to treat pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Meloxicam is a prescription drug. It comes in three forms: an oral tablet, an injection, and an oral capsule.

Meloxicam oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Mobic.

Meloxicam oral tablet is also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Meloxicam decreases inflammation and pain. It’s approved to treat:

  • osteoarthritis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older

How it works

Meloxicam belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs help reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.

It isn’t known how this medication works to decrease pain. It may help reduce swelling by lowering levels of prostaglandin, a hormone-like substance that usually causes inflammation.

Meloxicam can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking meloxicam. This list does not include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of meloxicam, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with meloxicam include:

  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • indigestion or heartburn
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • itching or rash

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Heart attack. Symptoms can include:
    • chest pain or discomfort
    • trouble breathing
    • cold sweat
    • pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or area above your belly button
  • Stroke. Symptoms can include:
    • numbness or weakness of your face, arm, or leg on one side of your body
    • sudden confusion
    • trouble speaking or understanding speech
    • vision problems in one or both eyes
    • trouble walking or loss of balance or coordination
    • dizziness
    • severe headache with no other cause
  • Stomach and intestinal problems, such as bleeding, ulcers, or tearing. Symptoms can include:
    • severe stomach pain
    • vomiting blood
    • bloody stools
    • black, sticky stools
  • Liver damage. Symptoms can include:
    • dark urine or pale stools
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • not wanting to eat
    • pain in your stomach area
    • yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
  • Increased blood pressure: Symptoms of extreme high blood pressure can include:
    • dull headache
    • dizzy spells
    • nosebleeds
  • Water retention or swelling. Symptoms can include:
    • rapid weight gain
    • swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
  • Skin problems, such as blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
  • Kidney damage. Symptoms can include:
    • changes in how much or how often you urinate
    • pain with urination
    • Decreased red blood cells (anemia)

GASTROINTESTINAL SIDE EFFECTS
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea occur very often with this drug. Pain, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur more often in children than adults. Sometimes these side effects can cause more serious stomach problems.

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If you or your child has these side effects and they bother you or don’t go away, talk to your doctor.

Meloxicam oral tablet can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

Below is a list of medications that can interact with meloxicam. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with meloxicam.

Before taking meloxicam, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Antidepressants and anxiety drugs

Taking meloxicam with certain antidepressant and anxiety medications raises your risk of bleeding. Examples of these drugs include:

  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as citalopram
  • selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine

Corticosteroids

Taking meloxicam with corticosteroids can increase your risk of stomach ulcers or bleeding. Examples of these drugs include:

  • prednisone
  • dexamethasone

Cancer drug

Taking pemetrexed with meloxicam can increase your risk for infection, kidney problems, and stomach issues.

Transplant drug

Taking cyclosporine with meloxicam can increase the levels of cyclosporine in your body, causing kidney problems. If you take these drugs together, your doctor should monitor your kidney function.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

Taking methotrexate with meloxicam can increase the levels of methotrexate in your body. This can result in kidney problems and an increased risk of infection.

Anticoagulant/blood thinner

Taking warfarin with meloxicam increases your risk of stomach bleeding.

Bipolar disorder medication

Taking lithium with meloxicam can cause amounts of lithium in your blood to increase to dangerous levels. Symptoms of lithium toxicity may include tremors, excessive thirst, or confusion. If you take these drugs together, your doctor may monitor your lithium levels.

Blood pressure drugs

Taking these medications with meloxicam may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of these drugs. Examples of these drugs include:

  • angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), such as candesartan and valsartan
  • angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as benazepril and captopril
  • beta blockers, such as propranolol and atenolol

Diuretics (water pills)

Taking certain diuretics with meloxicam can decrease the effect of these drugs. Examples of these diuretics include:

  • hydrochlorothiazide
  • furosemide

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Meloxicam is an NSAID. Combining it with other NSAIDs may increase your risk of side effects, such as stomach bleeding or ulcers. Examples of NSAIDs include:

  • aspirin
  • ibuprofen
  • naproxen
  • etodolac
  • diclofenac
  • fenoprofen
  • ketoprofen
  • tolmetin
  • indomethacin

The meloxicam dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using meloxicam to treat
  • your age
  • the form of meloxicam you take
  • other medical conditions you may have, such as kidney damage

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Forms and strengths

Generic: Meloxicam

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 7.5 mg, 15 mg

Brand: Mobic

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 7.5 mg, 15 mg

Dosage for osteoarthritis

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

  • Typical starting dosage: 7.5 mg taken once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 15 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Dosage for people younger than 18 years hasn’t been established. This drug has not been found to be safe and effective in this age group for this condition.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

  • Typical starting dosage: 7.5 mg taken once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 15 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Dosage for people younger than 18 years hasn’t been established. This drug has not been found to be safe and effective in this age group for this condition.

Dosage for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

Child dosage (ages 2–17 years)

  • Typical starting dosage (130 lbs/60 kg): 7.5 mg once daily.
  • Maximum dosage: 7.5 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

Dosage for children younger than 2 years hasn’t been established. This drug has not been found to be safe and effective in this age group.

Special dosage considerations

For people receiving hemodialysis: This drug isn’t removed in dialysis. Taking a typical dosage of meloxicam while receiving hemodialysis may cause a buildup of the drug in your blood. This could cause worsened side effects. The maximum daily dose for people ages 18 years and older and receiving hemodialysis is 7. 5 mg per day.

FDA warnings

  • This drug has a black box warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A black box warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
  • Heart risk warning: This drug may increase your risk of developing a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke, which can be fatal. Your risk may be higher if you’re taking it long term, at high doses, or if you already have heart problems or risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure. You shouldn’t take meloxicam for pain before, during, or after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This can increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
  • Stomach problems warning: This medication may increase your risk of developing stomach and intestinal problems. These include bleeding, ulcers, and holes in your stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These effects can occur any time while you’re taking this drug. They may happen without any signs or symptoms. Adults ages 65 years and older are at higher risk of these stomach or intestinal problems.

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Allergy warning

Don’t take meloxicam if you’ve had itchy skin, symptoms of asthma, or an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs. A second reaction could be much more severe.

Liver damage warning

This drug may affect your liver. Symptoms may include yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes and liver inflammation, damage, or failure. Your doctor may check your liver function while you take this drug.

Blood pressure warning

This medication may increase or worsen your blood pressure. This can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. Your doctor may check your blood pressure while you’re taking meloxicam. Some medicines for high blood pressure may not work as well as they should when you’re taking meloxicam.

Allergy warning

Meloxicam can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue
  • hives

Don’t take meloxicam if you have asthma, runny nose, and nasal polyps (aspirin triad). Don’t take it if you’ve had itching, trouble breathing, or an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Multiorgan hypersensitivity/DRESS warning

This medication can cause multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is also known as a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). This syndrome can be life threatening. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms, such as a rash, a fever, or swollen lymph nodes.

Harm to developing fetus warning

You shouldn’t take meloxicam if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Meloxicam can cause harm to a developing fetus if taken at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy. If you are between 20 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, only take this drug if your doctor has told you to. Do not take this drug if you are more than 30 weeks pregnant.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with heart or blood vessel diseases: This medication increases your risk of blood clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. It may also cause fluid retention, which is common with heart failure.

For people with high blood pressure: This medication may make your blood pressure worse, which can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

For people with stomach ulcer or bleeding: Meloxicam can make these conditions worse. If you have a history of these conditions, you have a higher chance of having them again if you take this medicine.

For people with liver damage: Meloxicam can cause liver disease and changes in your liver function. It may make your liver damage worse.

For people with kidney disease: If you take meloxicam for a long time, it may decrease your kidney function, making your kidney disease worse. Stopping this drug could reverse kidney damage caused by the drug.

For people with asthma: Meloxicam can cause bronchial spasm and difficulty breathing, especially if your asthma gets worse if you take aspirin.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Using meloxicam during your third trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of negative effects to your pregnancy. You should not take meloxicam after 30 weeks of pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, talk to your doctor. Meloxicam should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

You should also talk to your doctor if you’re trying to get pregnant. Meloxicam can cause a reversible delay in ovulation. If you’re having a hard time getting pregnant or are getting tested for infertility, don’t take meloxicam.

For women who are breastfeeding: It isn’t known if meloxicam passes into breast milk. If it does, it could cause side effects in your child if you breastfeed and take meloxicam. You and your doctor may decide whether you’ll take meloxicam or breastfeed.

For seniors: If you’re age 65 years or older, you may have a higher risk of side effects from meloxicam.

For children: For the treatment of JIA, this drug has been found to be safe and effective for use in children 2 years and older. It should not be used in children younger than 2 years.

For the treatment of other conditions, this drug has not been found to be safe and effective for children of any age. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years.

Meloxicam oral tablet may be used for short-term or long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed by your doctor.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: Your symptoms will remain and may worsen.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • stomach bleeding

Overdosing on meloxicam can cause organ failure or serious heart problems. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can, However, if it’s just a few hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one on time.

Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in serious side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You should have less pain and inflammation.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes meloxicam oral tablet for you.

General

  • You can take meloxicam with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk.
  • You can cut or crush the oral tablet.

Storage

  • Store this medication at room temperature, 77°F (25°C). If needed, you can keep it for short periods at temperatures between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
  • Keep this medication away from high temperatures.
  • Keep your medications away from areas where they could get damp, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable.You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They won’t damage your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

During your treatment with this drug, your doctor may check your:

  • blood pressure
  • liver function
  • kidney function
  • red blood cell count to check for anemia

Insurance

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More

Meloxicam is a generic prescription medication* that’s used to treat:

  • osteoarthritis (OA) in adults
  • rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, in some children

To learn more about the use of meloxicam for treating OA, RA, and JIA, see the “What is meloxicam used for?” section below.

* Meloxicam may also be used to treat certain conditions in dogs and cats. But meloxicam prescribed for humans is different from meloxicam prescribed for pets.

Meloxicam basics

Meloxicam is a type of drug called a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Meloxicam comes as an oral tablet, which is a tablet that you swallow. It also comes as an oral capsule and an oral suspension, but these forms aren’t covered in this article.

Keep reading to learn more about meloxicam, including the drug’s side effects, dosages, uses, and more.

Meloxicam brand-name versions

Meloxicam tablets are also available in a brand-name version called Mobic.

Meloxicam is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The brand-name medication that meloxicam is based on is Mobic.

Generic drugs are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name drug they’re based on. In general, generics cost less than brand-name drugs do.

If you’d like to know more about taking Mobic instead of meloxicam, talk with your doctor. You can also explore this Healthline article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs.

Like most drugs, meloxicam may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that meloxicam may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of meloxicam. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that meloxicam can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read meloxicam’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of meloxicam that have been reported include:

  • diarrhea
  • fluid retention (buildup of fluid in the body) and bloating
  • headache
  • indigestion (upset stomach)
  • nausea
  • pain in your belly
  • skin rash
  • sore throat
  • upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
  • mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from meloxicam can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from meloxicam, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of meloxicam that have been reported include:

  • high level of potassium in the blood
  • kidney damage
  • liver damage
  • new or worsened high blood pressure
  • boxed warnings: risk of heart problems and risk of digestive system problems*
  • serious skin reactions†
  • severe allergic reaction†

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking meloxicam?” section.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to meloxicam.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

In addition, severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been reported with meloxicam. These specific allergic reactions are life threatening and require immediately treatment. Symptoms of SJS and TEN can include:

  • skin rash that blisters and peels
  • fever
  • body aches
  • red or stinging eyes
  • generally feeling unwell
  • sore throat
  • headache

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to meloxicam. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of meloxicam that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths (7.5 mg and 15 mg)

Meloxicam comes as tablets that you swallow. They’re available in two strengths: 7.5 milligrams (mg) and 15 mg.

Recommended dosages

You’ll take meloxicam once per day. Below you’ll find the usual dosages for each condition meloxicam is used to treat, including maximum dose.

Dosage for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis

For treating osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults, meloxicam’s recommended dosage is 7.5 mg taken once per day.

If this dose doesn’t relieve your symptoms of OA or RA, your doctor may increase your dose to 15 mg once per day. This is the maximum dose recommended for the drug.

Dosage for juvenile idiopathic arthritis

For treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), meloxicam may be prescribed to children ages 2 years and older who weigh at least 60 kilograms (kg). * The recommended dose of the drug for JIA is 7.5 mg once per day. This is also the maximum dose for this purpose.

To learn more about meloxicam’s dosage, see this article.

* One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). So 60 kg is about 132 lb.

Questions about meloxicam’s dosage

Below are some common questions about meloxicam’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of meloxicam? If you miss a dose of meloxicam, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s the next day and nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time. You should not take more than one dose of meloxicam at a time.
  • Will I need to take meloxicam long term? Maybe. Your doctor will recommend taking meloxicam at the lowest dose for the shortest time needed to treat your symptoms. Some people will need to take meloxicam long term to treat their symptoms.
  • How long does meloxicam take to work? Meloxicam begins working shortly after you take a dose. But it may take longer before you notice any symptom relief.

Meloxicam may be prescribed to treat the following kinds of arthritis:

  • osteoarthritis in adults
  • rheumatoid arthritis in adults
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older who weigh at least 60 kilograms (kg)*

* One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). So 60 kg is about 132 lb.

Below you’ll find an overview of these conditions and how meloxicam helps treat them.

Note: In addition to the uses described here, meloxicam is sometimes prescribed off-label for treating other conditions. With off-label use, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain uses is prescribed for a different use. For more information about off-label uses of this drug, talk with your doctor.

Meloxicam for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that causes cartilage to break down. Cartilage is a protective tissue that covers the ends of your bones. When bones lack cartilage, they can rub against one another. This leads to symptoms such as pain and joint stiffness.

Common causes of OA include age and repeated stress to joints over time. But injury, obesity, and poor posture can also lead to OA.

Meloxicam can treat OA by helping to reduce the pain and inflammation (swelling and damage) caused by this condition.

Meloxicam for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to your joints. With autoimmune conditions, a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own body.

In people who have RA, the immune system attacks the linings of joints. Over time, this damage can cause joints to lose shape and function. Without treatment, RA can eventually destroy joints.

Symptoms of RA, which may affect one joint or multiple joints, include:

  • aching or pain
  • stiffness
  • swelling
  • tenderness

Meloxicam can treat symptoms of RA by reducing inflammation in the joints.

Meloxicam for juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is a kind of arthritis that affects children. “Idiopathic” means the condition has no known cause. But JIA is thought to be an autoimmune condition. With autoimmune conditions, a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own body.

Symptoms of JIA include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.

Meloxicam is used to treat JIA in children ages 2 years and older who weigh at least 60 kilograms (kg).* It helps ease symptoms of JIA by reducing inflammation in the joints.

* One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). So 60 kg is about 132 lb.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about meloxicam.

Can meloxicam be taken with pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)?

It depends on the pain reliever.

Meloxicam should not be used with ibuprofen (Advil) or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is because meloxicam itself is an NSAID. Taking more than one NSAID at the same time can increase your risk of certain side effects these drugs can cause.

You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with meloxicam if your doctor says it’s safe for you to do so. But don’t take acetaminophen or any other medication with meloxicam without discussing it with your doctor or pharmacist. They can check whether the medication is safe to take with meloxicam.

Is meloxicam used to treat back pain or muscle pain?

No, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved meloxicam to treat back pain or muscle pain.

But these are symptoms caused by conditions meloxicam is FDA-approved to treat: osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in some children.* The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of NSAIDs such as meloxicam may help ease back pain and muscle pain.

That said, doctors might still prescribe meloxicam off-label to treat back or muscle pain. With off-label use, a drug approved by the FDA for certain uses is prescribed for a different use. For more information about off-label uses of meloxicam, talk with your doctor.

* For more information, see the “What is meloxicam used for?” section above.

Does meloxicam make you sleepy?

No, it’s not known to do so. In studies of meloxicam, sleepiness wasn’t a reported side effect.

But drowsiness is a known symptom of overdose from NSAIDs, the group of drugs meloxicam belongs to. Taking more meloxicam than prescribed could lead to overdose, which may cause drowsiness.

To learn more about meloxicam overdose, see the “What should be done in case of overdose?” section below. Your doctor or pharmacist can also discuss this with you.

Do older adults have a higher risk of side effects with meloxicam?

It depends on the side effect. Older adults (ages 65 years and older) have a higher risk of some side effects of meloxicam, but not all.

Side effects that older adults are at higher risk of from taking meloxicam include:

  • kidney damage
  • boxed warning: risk of heart problems and risk of digestive system problems*

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking meloxicam?” section.

Because of these risks, doctors will prescribe the lowest meloxicam dose for the shortest possible time to treat symptoms of OA or RA in older people.

If you have questions about whether meloxicam is safe for you to take, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I know about alternatives to meloxicam, such as Celebrex?

Meloxicam and Celebrex are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). So these drugs have many similarities. For example, they’re both commonly used to treat OA and RA.

In addition, both meloxicam and Celebrex have boxed warnings regarding the risk of serious heart or digestive problems that can occur as side effects. * Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

That said, meloxicam and Celebrex also have some differences. For example, meloxicam is a generic prescription drug, and Celebrex is a brand-name prescription drug. (The active ingredient in Celebrex is celecoxib. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

As well, Celebrex may be taken once or twice per day to treat OA, while meloxicam is taken once per day to treat OA.

To learn more about meloxicam and possible alternatives, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about meloxicam’s boxed warnings, see the “What should be considered before taking meloxicam?” section below. Your doctor can discuss Celebrex’s boxed warnings with you.

Meloxicam comes with several warnings, which may affect whether the drug is a good treatment for your condition.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking meloxicam, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take (including prescription and over-the-counter drugs). Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with meloxicam.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Other warnings” section below.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Meloxicam can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:

  • other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen (Naprosyn) and ibuprofen (Advil)
  • blood thinners, such as warfarin (Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis), and clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa)
  • serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
  • angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril)
  • angiotensin type II receptor blockers (ARBs), such as losartan (Cozaar)
  • beta-blockers, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) and propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL)
  • diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
  • the mental health drug lithium (Lithobid)
  • the drug methotrexate (Otrexup, Trexall), which is prescribed for several kinds of conditions
  • the organ transplant drug cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral)
  • the cancer drug pemetrexed (Pemfexy)

This list does not contain all kinds of drugs that may interact with meloxicam. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of meloxicam.

Boxed warnings

Meloxicam has boxed warnings about the risk of heart problems and risk of digestive system problems. These are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of heart problems. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including meloxicam, increases the risk of heart problems. Examples include heart attack and stroke. These side effects can happen at any time while taking meloxicam. In rare cases, they can be fatal.

Symptoms of heart attack or stroke can include:

  • chest pain
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, back, jaw, or neck
  • shortness of breath
  • sudden, severe headache
  • vision problems
  • weakness or numbness on one side of the body or face

Immediately call 911 or a local emergency number if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking meloxicam.

You’re thought to be at higher risk of heart problems if you take meloxicam and:

  • have another heart condition, such as heart disease
  • take a higher meloxicam dose
  • take meloxicam for a long period of time

Due to these risks, doctors will not prescribe meloxicam if you’ve recently had a heart attack or heart bypass surgery. To learn more about whether meloxicam is safe to take based on your medical history, talk with your doctor.

Risk of digestive system problems. Taking NSAIDs such as meloxicam increases the risk of serious digestive problems. Examples include bleeding, ulcers, and holes in the digestive tract. These side effects can happen at any time while taking meloxicam. In rare cases, they can be fatal.

Symptoms of these digestive problems include:

  • a burning sensation in your chest or abdomen
  • dark or bloody stool
  • vomiting blood or what seems like coffee grounds
  • indigestion (upset stomach)

If you have symptoms of digestive problems, contact your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you permanently stop taking meloxicam if they confirm you have a serious digestive problem.

Certain factors increase the risk of digestive problems that meloxicam and other NSAIDs can cause. These factors include:

  • taking meloxicam for a long time
  • drinking alcohol
  • smoking or using tobacco
  • being age 65 years or older
  • taking meloxicam with certain other drugs

If you have concerns about serious digestive problems while taking meloxicam, talk with your doctor.

Other warnings

Meloxicam can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether meloxicam is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take meloxicam. Factors to consider include those described below.

Asthma. Some people with asthma experience certain side effects after taking aspirin. These side effects, such as sudden tightening in the airways, can be severe or even life threatening in rare cases.

Because meloxicam and aspirin are similar, it’s possible for some people with asthma to have this reaction with meloxicam. If you have aspirin-sensitive asthma, your doctor likely won’t prescribe meloxicam. If you have asthma that isn’t aspirin-sensitive, your doctor will still closely monitor you for worsening asthma symptoms during meloxicam treatment.

Kidney problems. Though rare, meloxicam can cause kidney damage. People who have a kidney problem, such as chronic kidney disease, may have a higher risk of this side effect. If you have a kidney problem, tell your doctor before you start taking meloxicam. Depending on the how severe your kidney problem is, they may prescribe a lower meloxicam dose.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to meloxicam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe meloxicam. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Meloxicam and alcohol

It’s best to avoid or limit alcohol consumption while taking meloxicam.

Alcohol can increase your risk of certain side effects from meloxicam. This includes serious heart problems and serious digestive system problems. Meloxicam has boxed warnings about these problems. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the FDA about drug effects that may be dangerous. For more information, see the “Boxed warnings” section above.

Before you start taking meloxicam, talk with your doctor about consuming alcohol during treatment. They can advise you on how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink while taking the drug.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Below you’ll find information on taking meloxicam during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Meloxicam and pregnancy

It isn’t safe to take meloxicam at week 30 of pregnancy and beyond. Like other NSAIDs, meloxicam can cause harm to a fetus if taken at this point in pregnancy.

It isn’t clear whether it’s safe to take meloxicam during other periods of pregnancy.

To learn more about the risks and benefits of other treatments for your condition during pregnancy, talk with your doctor.

Meloxicam and breastfeeding

It’s not clear whether meloxicam causes side effects in a breastfed child. The drug is known pass into breast milk in small amounts.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking meloxicam during this time.

Your doctor will explain how you should take meloxicam. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking meloxicam

Meloxicam comes as a tablet that you take by swallowing.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put meloxicam in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Questions about taking meloxicam

Below are some common questions about taking meloxicam.

  • Can meloxicam be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you should not chew, crush, or split meloxicam tablets. Check out this page for tips if you’re having trouble swallowing pills. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist about meloxicam oral suspension (a kind of mixture in liquid that you swallow), which may be easier for you to take.
  • Should I take meloxicam with food? You may take meloxicam with or without food. If you find that the drug causes you indigestion (upset stomach), taking your dose with a meal or a small snack may help avoid this side effect.
  • Is there a best time of day to take meloxicam? No, there’s no best time of day to take meloxicam. You should take your dose once per day as directed by your doctor.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about meloxicam and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions, such as:
    • How will meloxicam affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

Financial assistance to help you pay for meloxicam may be available. Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites that provide resources to help reduce the cost of meloxicam.

These websites also offer tools to help you find low-cost healthcare and certain educational resources. To learn more, visit their websites.

Do not take more meloxicam than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

  • drowsiness or sleepiness
  • nausea and vomiting
  • pain in the upper belly
  • bleeding in the stomach or intestines
  • sudden kidney failure
  • coma

What to do in case you take too much meloxicam

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much meloxicam. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Meloxicam is prescribed to treat certain types of arthritis in adults and some children. If you’re interested in taking meloxicam or learning more about the drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Ask questions that help you feel comfortable with the drug and your treatment options.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

  • How do meloxicam’s side effects compare with other medications that can treat my condition?
  • Are long-term side effects possible with meloxicam?
  • What happens if another doctor I go to prescribes a medication that interacts with meloxicam?
  • Am I at higher risk of side effects from taking meloxicam based on my age and medical conditions?

To learn more about meloxicam, see this article:

  • Meloxicam and Cost: What You Need to Know

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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DO NOT SELF-MEDIATE! IT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH!

Meloxicam: brief instructions for use

Meloxicam is a drug belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have analgesic and antipyretic effects.

The composition of Meloxicam includes the main active ingredient – meloxicam. In addition, each tablet contains excipients such as lactose, starch, magnesium and povidone.

Buy Meloxicam is recommended by many experts, as the drug in question shows high anti-inflammatory activity in all models of inflammatory processes without exception.

Indications for use Meloxicam

  • Arthritis of rheumatoid type.
  • Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis.
  • Inflammation localized in the joints.
  • Other inflammatory processes accompanied by intense pain.

What are the possible contraindications to Meloxicam?

  • Hypersensitivity to meloxicam or any of the other ingredients of the medicinal product.
  • Meloxicam is not recommended for patients who have a history of pathologies such as bronchial asthma, urticaria while taking aspirin and angioedema.
  • Pregnancy, lactation and adolescence in patients under 16 years of age.
  • Abdominal bleeding that occurred while taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Ulcerative lesions of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Liver or kidney failure.
  • Cardiac or vascular insufficiency.

Interactions of Meloxicam with other drugs

If it is recommended to buy Meloxicam for co-administration with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it should be understood that such drug interactions may significantly increase the risk of bleeding.

Meloxicam significantly enhances the effect of anticoagulants, which can cause bleeding.

At the same time taking this drug with diuretics, there may be a violation of the functioning of the renal system.

Antihypertensive drugs slightly lose their effectiveness when combined with meloxicam components.

Meloxicam: method of administration and dosage

How to take Meloxicam, you can consult your doctor or read the instructions for this drug yourself. The daily dose of the drug is taken once a day during a meal, drinking plenty of water.

In order to minimize the possibility of adverse reactions, the lowest effective dosage is recommended initially. In addition, the specialist must keep the patient’s condition under control, timely conducting all the necessary studies, analyzes and examinations.

Meloxicam should be used with caution in elderly patients. This is justified by the fact that in this age group the risk of negative reactions is significantly increased. If any side effects are detected, you should immediately inform your doctor about this and stop taking the medication.

Meloxicam is not recommended for patients under 16 years of age.

In the online pharmacy apteka.com, you can check the price of Meloxicam online, as well as place an order for medicines remotely. We will help you decide on the choice of the drug, as well as send the purchase to your address.

Manual Meloxicam

Manufacturer

HELP S.A., Greece

Country of origin

Greece

Synonyms

MELOXICAM, APO-MELOXICAM, AROXICAM, ARTROZAN, ASPICAM, BI-XICAM, ZELOXIM, ZELOXIM FORTE, LOXIDOL, M-KAM®, MELBEK®, MELOX, MELOXAM, MELOXAN, MELOXIC, MELOXICAM, MELOXICAM ORION, MELOKSIKAM PFAYZER ®, MELOXICAM SOPHARMA, MELOXICAM-APO, MELOXICAM-ASTRAPHARM, MELOXICAM-ZENTIVA, MELOXICAM-KV, MELOXICAM-LUGAL, MELOXICAM-MAXPHARMA, MELOXICAM-RATIOPHARM, MELOMAX, MELOMAX™, MOBIK, MOVALGIN, MOVALIS, MOVALIS®, MOVIX,MOVIKSIKAM ®, REVMALGIN, REVMOKSIKAM, REVMOKSIKAM®, RECOX, SANALIS, EXISTEN-SANOVEL

Meloxicam price in online pharmacy ampoule 1.

5ml №5 PL / Berkana / 140.7 UAH Meloxicam tab. 0.0075g №20 71.6 UAH Meloxicam-KV tablets 7.5mg №20 74.7 UAH Meloxicam-LH tablets 0.0 15g №20 97 UAH Meloxicam-KV tablets 15mg №20 120.7 UAH Meloxicam injection solution 15mg/1.5ml ampoule 1.5ml №5 PL/Berkana/ 134.4 UAH Meloxicam-Berkana solution for infusion 15mg/1.5 ml ampoules 1.5 ml No. 5 152.6 UAH Meloxicam (Meloxicam) solution for injection ampoules 1.5 ml No. 5 156.4 UAH 901 54 Meloxicam-Teva solution 15mg/1.5ml №5 243.4 UAH

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs “golden mean”

Rapid and complete pain relief is one of the top priorities in medical care. Pain is the most unpleasant manifestation of the main pathological conditions, so its effective suppression can significantly improve the quality of life of patients and gain their confidence, which is important when it comes to the onset of a chronic disease requiring long-term pathogenetic therapy.

Pain therapy is of fundamental importance in musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) and low back pain (LBP), which are currently associated with most cases of chronic non-cancer pain [1-3].

From the point of view of medical science, chronic pain is a serious and independent threat to the patient’s life. Persistent severe pain determines the negative changes in homeostasis, mediated by the reaction of the sympathetic-adrenal system – an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, as well as procoagulative changes in the blood coagulation system. These changes lead to a significant increase in the risk of developing dangerous cardiovascular complications (CVS) [1, 2].

In such nosological forms as OA and chronic LBP, which are not accompanied by visceral pathology, but are characterized by severe pain that often persists for months and years, the risk of developing fatal CVCs is significantly increased [1, 2].

This statement is confirmed by a study by Swiss scientists E. Nüesch et al. [4], who assessed the frequency of deaths in 1163 patients with OA with a follow-up period of about 5 years. According to the data obtained, the risk of death due to CVD in patients suffering from this “non-fatal” disease is 1.7 times higher than in the general population. In the course of the subsequent analysis, the scientists identified the only factor that was clearly associated with the development of fatal CVCs in patients with OA – a pronounced dysfunction of the joints, preventing normal movement. Among the dead, such disorders were observed in 35%, while among the survivors – only 17% (p

Similar results are presented by Japanese researchers M. Tsuboi et al. [5], who observed the dynamics of the state in 944 patients with various rheumatic diseases for 10 years. It was found that in patients with gonarthrosis, the risk of death from CVE is more than 2 times higher than in the population (odds ratio – OR – 2.32).

The work of Australian scientists K. Zhu et al. [6], who followed a group of 1484 elderly women (over 70 years of age) with chronic LBP for 5 years. Among them, 21.7% initially and 26.9%% at the end of the observation period experienced pain daily. In this subgroup, the risk of death from CVE was more than 2 times higher (relative risk – RR 2.13 at 95% confidence interval – CI – from 1.35 to 3.34) than in the group of patients who had less pain .

It is impossible not to note one more, purely practical aspect of the problem of adequate anesthesia. Patients come to the doctor’s office primarily for relief of suffering; “understanding” the situation, finding out the exact diagnosis is a secondary, although undoubtedly important, goal of seeking medical help. Excessive enthusiasm for diagnostic measures and “basic” means to the detriment of simple and effective methods of pain control can cause a negative attitude of the patient towards the attending physician and turn him away from the methods of classical medicine. On the contrary, the effective elimination of the most painful symptoms will be the most effective way to win the patient’s trust and achieve strict adherence to a complex scheme of long-term pathogenetic therapy [1, 2].

However, effective control of chronic pain is not easy. An illustration of this is the work of the Spanish scientists L. Arboleya et al. [7], who assessed the opinion on the results of treatment of 897 patients with OA who received analgesics for at least 6 months, most often non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): diclofenac, aceclofenac and piroxicam. 46% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the effect of prescribed drugs, and only 1 patient out of 6 considered himself completely satisfied with the result of analgesic therapy.

In this regard, the data of British researchers M. Gore et al. [8], who evaluated the practice of prescribing analgesics (paracetamol, NSAIDs, tramadol, “weak” and “strong” opioids) in patients with OA and LBP. For various reasons – due to inefficiency, adverse events, etc., during the 1st month of treatment, prescribed drugs were canceled in almost 90% of patients (from 30 to 60% were cases of replacement therapy, up to 15% – its increase – the use of various combinations). It can be seen that in most cases (not less than ⅔), the analgesic drug initially recommended by the doctor did not justify hopes and did not become a solution to the pain problem [8].

It should be remembered that the development of pain, especially chronic pain, is a complex, multicomponent pathological process. Its development involves local inflammation, muscle spasm, damage to the elements of the ligamentous apparatus, biomechanical disorders, dysfunction of the pain system (peripheral and central sensitization, “exhaustion” of antinociceptive mechanisms, etc.) [1, 2, 9, 10]. It is obvious that monotherapy, even with the most effective means, cannot always ensure therapeutic success. Only an integrated approach based on the combined use of drugs with different mechanisms of action can achieve effective control of chronic pain (Table 1) .

First-line pharmacotherapy for musculoskeletal pain is undoubtedly NSAIDs. They have a unique combination of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, providing effective relief of the main symptoms associated with the pathology of the OPS organs [1-3].

The main mechanism of the pharmacological action of NSAIDs is associated with the blockade of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is formed in the foci of tissue damage and is responsible for the active synthesis of prostaglandins (PG) – the most important mediators of pain and inflammation. It is important to note that the analgesic effect of NSAIDs is realized not only by reducing the excitability of peripheral pain receptors. Probably no less important is the effect of NSAIDs on the central mechanisms of pain formation – the phenomenon of central sensitization, which is also mediated by hyperproduction of PG (aseptic neuronal inflammation) and activation of glial cells that occur in response to persistent and powerful pain stimulation of the structures of the nociceptive system [1-3 ].

Obviously, if inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute or chronic pain (even subclinical, as in OA and dorsalgia), accompanied by active synthesis of biologically active substances such as interleukins 1 and 6, tumor necrosis factor, the use of NSAIDs will be appropriate and necessary . Moreover, in this situation, as the data of many clinical studies show, in terms of their therapeutic activity, NSAIDs have a clear advantage over other analgesics – paracetamol and opioids, which do not have anti-inflammatory properties [1-3].

The therapist has an exceptional variety of NSAIDs in his arsenal. This creates difficulties for practitioners, because even experts cannot always determine the criteria for the merit of drugs that should be used to decide on the choice of one or another NSAID. The situation is further complicated by the active advertising activities of some manufacturing companies promoting their product as “the most effective and safe among all possible. ” However, real practice clearly shows that none of the NSAIDs can be considered the best, and if the drug has an advantage in any parameter, it is likely that it will also have certain disadvantages.

The analgesic effect of all NSAIDs when used in therapeutic doses is practically the same. At least there is no conclusive data obtained in the course of a series of methodically correctly organized clinical trials that any drug from this group is significantly superior to others in analgesic action. The main difference between NSAIDs (sometimes very significant) is determined by their safety [3].

Among NSAIDs, two polar groups are distinguished, differing in their selectivity for COX-2 (their main pharmacological “target”): non-selective (n-NSAIDs) and highly selective – “coxibs”. The selectivity of NSAIDs avoids the suppression of the activity of the biochemical “brother” of COX-2 – the COX-1 enzyme, the work of which is extremely important for maintaining many vital functions, such as the protective properties of the mucous membrane (CO) of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The blockade of COX-1 (characteristic of n-NSAIDs) leads to a significant increase in the risk of developing severe, life-threatening gastrointestinal pathology (gastropathy and enteropathy associated with NSAIDs – NSAID gastropathy and NSAID enteropathy. In this regard, “coxibs” are much less dangerous [3 ].

However, selective suppression of COX-2 (without affecting COX-1) can lead to an imbalance in the synthesis of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin, which increases the risk of vascular thrombosis. In patients with cardiovascular diseases, this is fraught with an increased risk of developing severe CV events – myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke [3]. As can be seen, the use of n-NSAIDs and “coxibs” has serious limitations: they are not suitable for all patients (Table 2) . Accordingly, two main scenarios can be presented in which the use of representatives of these drug groups is most appropriate.

Thus, “coxibs” are more suitable for relatively young patients who need short-term analgesic therapy and have a moderate risk of complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in the absence of severe concomitant CVS pathology.

n-NSAIDs (except for ketorolac, suitable only for short-term use) are more acceptable for patients of the older age group with a moderate risk of developing CVC, but without significant risk factors for developing NSAID gastropathy. In most cases, these drugs can only be used in combination with a gastroprotector (proton pump inhibitor).

A position between n-NSAIDs and “coxibs” should be assigned to drugs with moderate selectivity for COX-2. Their use should lead to a smaller number of pronounced complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, but not be accompanied by a significant increase in the risk of developing CVS. This is a kind of “golden mean”, which is acceptable for most patients and is especially interesting now, when the medical community, after the bad memory of the “coxibs crisis”, is very wary of highly selective COX-2 inhibitors. At the same time, the problem of NSAID gastropathy, which is so characteristic of n-NSAIDs, will never lose its relevance.

In the mid-1990s, this position was occupied by diclofenac. However, at present, this drug no longer meets the high requirements of safe pharmacotherapy. In our country, primarily due to the widespread use of cheap generics of this drug, it is with diclofenac that the greatest number of complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are associated [11]. The situation with the MTR is even worse. Thus, according to a meta-analysis conducted by P. McGettigan and D. Henry [12], (30 case-control studies, including 184 946 patients with CVD and 21 cohort studies, a total of > 2.7 million individuals), the risk of MI increases with the use of diclofenac by approximately 40% (OR 1.4). In a population study by Danish scientists E. Fosbøl et al. [13], taking diclofenac was accompanied by the highest risk of developing myocardial infarction, stroke, and death from CVD among NSAIDs, higher than that of coxibs.

Significantly more interest is attracted by another representative of the “golden mean” – a moderately selective COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam, which appeared in 1995 g. Since then, this effective and fairly safe drug remains one of the most popular representatives of the NSAID group, which is actively used in almost all countries of the world.

Meloxicam has been extensively tested in a large number of clinical trials; its effectiveness has been studied in a wide range of diseases and pathological conditions, ranging from anesthetic practice to chronic joint diseases. These studies clearly confirmed that meloxicam is in no way inferior in its therapeutic potential to the “traditional” NSAIDs in the most common diseases characterized by musculoskeletal pain (OA, LBP, rheumatoid arthritis – RA and ankylosing spondylitis – AS) [14-22].

However, the main advantage of meloxicam is its good tolerability. In a series of large randomized clinical trials (RCTs), a significantly lower number of complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract was unambiguously confirmed when using this drug compared to n-NSAIDs.

The 4-week MELISSA study ( n =9323) compared meloxicam 7.5 mg with diclofenac 100 mg/day. The total number of side effects in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract when using meloxicam was significantly less – 13.3% versus 18.7% in the diclofenac group. At the same time, the number of episodes of discontinuation of therapy due to complications in patients treated with meloxicam was 2 times less: 3 and 6.1%, respectively ( r

RCT SELECT ( n =8656) was carried out according to a similar plan, but piroxicam at a dose of 20 mg was used as a comparison. This study showed a significant advantage of meloxicam in relation to the risk of developing severe complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that occurred in 7 and 16 patients, respectively ( r r

D. Yocum et al. [25] 774 patients with OA received meloxicam at a dose of 3.75, 7.5 and 15 mg, diclofenac 100 mg or placebo for 3 months. The results of the study showed that the total number of complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract while taking meloxicam was significantly less than when using diclofenac – 19and 28% respectively ( r

The safety of meloxicam has also been confirmed in a number of cohort studies such as H. Zeidler et al. [26]. This study involved 2155 German doctors who observed 13,307 rheumatological patients who received meloxicam at a dose of 7.5 mg (65%) or 15 mg (33%) for 1-3 months. The efficacy and tolerability of the drug was assessed by analyzing the data provided by the attending physicians in the relevant questionnaires. Although the majority of patients were over 60 years old, and 12% had a history of ulcers, undesirable effects in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract were noted in 0.8%, and pronounced ones – only in 5 patients (4 uncomplicated gastric ulcers and 1 perforation) [26 ].

Somewhat earlier P. Schoenfeld et al. [27] conducted a meta-analysis of 12 RCTs lasting from 1 to 24 weeks, comparing meloxicam with diclofenac, piroxicam, and naproxen in patients with OA, RA, and dorsalgia. It was shown that taking meloxicam was associated with a significantly lower total number of complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (RR 0.64 at 95% CI from 0.59 to 0.69), the incidence of dyspepsia (OR 0.73 at 95% CI from 0.64 to 0.84), symptomatic ulcers, GI and perforations (OR 0.52 at 95% CI from 0.28 to 0.96), as well as the risk of discontinuation of therapy due to complications in the form of organic and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (OR 0.59 at 95% CI from 0.52 to 0.67).

A later meta-analysis by G. Singh [25], which included data from 28 RCTs (24,196 patients), also confirms the higher safety of meloxicam at a dose of 7.5 mg compared to traditional NSAIDs in relation to the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the frequency of gastrointestinal bleeding when using this dose of meloxicam was only 0.03% (when taking 15 mg 0.2%), while in those receiving diclofenac at a dose of 100-150 mg / day – 0.15% [28].

In order to study the effect of meloxicam on the upper gastrointestinal tract, several years ago we conducted a retrospective analysis of the development of gastric and/or duodenal ulcers in rheumatological patients who were in 2002-2005. on inpatient treatment at the clinic of the FGBU NIIR RAMS. The studied groups consisted of persons who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy during this period for various reasons: 425 patients who received meloxicam, and 2428 – diclofenac (Fig. 1) . Figure 1. Detection of ulcers and multiple (> 10) erosions of the stomach and / or duodenal ulcer in patients who regularly received meloxicam or diclofenac [29]. In patients taking meloxicam, ulcers occurred almost 2 times less often, including patients with such a risk factor as an ulcer history [29].

In recent years, the problem of the negative effects of NSAIDs on the distal gastrointestinal tract has attracted much attention of researchers and practitioners. First of all, we are talking about NSAID enteropathy – a pathology of the small intestine (TC), which is accompanied by an increase in its permeability and the development of chronic inflammation associated with the penetration of bacteria or their components contained in the chyme into the intestinal wall. This complication can manifest itself as severe GI bleeding, perforation and strictures of the TC; however, its most characteristic symptom is subclinical blood loss leading to the development of chronic iron deficiency anemia (IDA) [3, 30, 31]. Recently, interest in this pathology has been very high, since even in the absence of life-threatening complications, NSAID enteropathy can have a significant negative impact on the patient’s health. After all, chronic IDA determines a significant decrease in the oxygen capacity of the blood, a decrease in resistance to stress and, ultimately, an increase in the risk of developing severe CVD.

This is confirmed by the work of G. Sands et al., published in 2012. [32]. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 51 RCTs comparing the safety of celecoxib and n-NSAIDs ( n = 50 116) to determine the relationship between reduced hemoglobin levels and the incidence of life-threatening systemic complications. It turned out that anemia dramatically increased the risk of developing severe CVD. Thus, in 932 patients who developed a clinically significant decrease in hemoglobin levels (more than 20 g/l), the incidence of MI was 0.6%, while in patients who did not have signs of anemia, it was only 0.2%. Similarly, the progression of coronary heart disease (CHD) was observed in 1.2 and 0.3% of patients [32].

NSAID enteropathy is a problem characteristic of “traditional” NSAIDs. There is strong evidence that c-NSAIDs (“coxibs”) are significantly safer than “traditional” NSAIDs in terms of the risk of developing this pathology [3].

The most modern technique for accurately diagnosing pathology of the mucous membrane of the jejunum and ileum, which occurs while taking NSAIDs, is video capsule endoscopy (VCE). It was she who was used in a number of studies that compared the effect of “coxibs” and n-NSAIDs on the state of TC [3, 33].

In recent years, the first reports of a relatively low incidence of NSAID enteropathy with the use of meloxicam have appeared, confirmed by TBEV data. Thus, we recently conducted a study on the effect of meloxicam (Movalis) and diclofenac on the state of TC in 15 patients with AS. The choice of this nosological form for studying the development of NSAID enteropathy was not accidental. Patients with AS have an increased risk of developing TC pathology – there is a known association between chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and seronegative spondylitis. In addition, patients with AS often take NSAIDs, often for a long time and in high doses [34].

According to the results obtained, certain changes in the SO TC – the presence of inflammation, hemorrhages, erosions or ulcers were detected equally often while taking meloxicam 15 mg / day or diclofenac 100-200 mg / day: 71. 4 and 75%, respectively. However, the average number of erosions was insignificantly lower in those who received movalis: 6.2±4.7 and 9.4±7.3, respectively [34].

Our data are consistent with those of Y. Maehata et al. [35]. They performed VCE in 29 volunteers with initially normal SO TC who received meloxicam 10 mg/day or celecoxib 200 mg/day for 2 weeks. The number of persons who, after a course of NSAIDs, had a pathology of the TC, when using meloxicam, was less than when taking “coxib” – 26.7 and 42.9% respectively.

It can be stated that, in relation to CVR, meloxicam is at least no worse than “traditional” NSAIDs. So, in a series of RCTs conducted in the late 90s of the XX century, it was shown that the risk of developing severe CV events when using meloxicam does not exceed that against placebo.

According to the results of the meta-analysis of 28 RCTs conducted by G. Singh [28], the incidence of myocardial infarction with the use of meloxicam was lower than with diclofenac: 0. 09% for a dose of 7.5 mg / day, 0.19% for 15 mg/day and 0.22% for diclofenac 100-150 mg/day.

It should be noted that according to the results of the above work by P. McGettigan and D. Henry [12], meloxicam showed a mild (not exceeding the average level for all NSAIDs), inherent in the entire class of NSAIDs, the ability to increase the risk of developing MI – by about 20% (OR 1.2). According to these data, meloxicam is inferior to naproxen, but is at the level of celecoxib and ibuprofen and superior to diclofenac (OR 1.4, i.e. 40% increased risk).

Comparable results presented by Finnish scientists A. Helin-Salmivaara et al. [36]. They conducted a large population-based study in which the RR for the development of NSAID-related CVD was assessed in 33,309 patients with MI (138,949 – corresponding control; Fig. 2 ). data from a population study conducted in Finland: 33,309 patients with MI, 138,949 – controls) [36]. The risk level for those taking meloxicam was at the average level – OR 1. 25. This is somewhat higher than in those taking naproxen (OR 1.19), but clearly less compared to diclofenac (OR 1.35) and especially nimesulide (OR 1.69).

There is a very curious fact: meloxicam was once studied as a component of IHD therapy (!). During the NUT-2 study, 60 patients with acute coronary syndrome who received aspirin and heparin as antithrombotic therapy for 1 month were additionally prescribed meloxicam 15 mg/day. Another 60 patients who underwent similar antithrombotic therapy constituted the control – they were assigned a placebo. Treatment outcomes in the meloxicam group were clearly better. So, among the patients who received this drug, no one developed MI and no patient died; at the same time, there were 2 cases of MI and one coronary death in the control group. In the 1st group, revascularization was required in 6 (10%) patients, and in the 2nd – 15 (25%; r

Nowadays, such a study seems rather like medical casuistry; nevertheless, it can serve as a good illustration of the favorable tolerability of meloxicam in patients with risk factors for CVD.

Meloxicam has another important advantage: unlike “traditional” NSAIDs, it does not interact adversely with low doses of aspirin and does not reduce the antiplatelet potential of the latter. This was confirmed by an epidemiological study by G. Singh et al. [38], based on the analysis of the California Database of Patients with MI ( n =15 343). In patients treated with meloxicam in combination with aspirin, the risk of MI was significantly lower than in patients who received this drug without aspirin: OR 0.53 and 1.56, respectively. At the same time, the popular analgesic ibuprofen clearly worsened the effect of aspirin. In patients treated with these drugs together, the risk of MI was even slightly higher than in patients who took ibuprofen alone: ​​OR 1.2 and 1.08, respectively [38].

When discussing the benefits of meloxicam, attention should be paid to the low risk of allergic skin reactions. Although these complications are rare with the use of NSAIDs, in some cases they can be a serious problem. Meloxicam in this regard is quite safe. Thus, according to American authors, during the first 2 years of using this drug in the United States, not a single episode of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis was recorded (for example, 47 episodes while taking celecoxib) [39]. The low frequency of skin reactions when using meloxicam was also noted by K. Ward et al. [40], who published a methodological review in 2010.

Moreover, there are a number of studies that have shown the possibility of using meloxicam in patients who have previously experienced skin allergic or bronchospastic reactions when using aspirin or other “traditional” NSAIDs [41, 42].

Severe hepatotoxic reactions are also rare side effects of NSAIDs. Nevertheless, the assessment of the risk of complications in the form of liver dysfunction is relevant for a number of representatives of this drug group, such as diclofenac and nimesulide [3]. For example, among 17,289of participants in an 18-month MEDAL RCT (comparison of etoricoxib and diclofenac) who received diclofenac, a three-fold increase in alanine aminotransferase activity was noted in 3. 1%, and a ten-fold increase in 0.5% [43]. Although not a single episode of liver failure or jaundice was recorded, such a clear negative dynamics of biochemical parameters is of concern and is the reason for interrupting therapy.

Fortunately, these problems are not typical for meloxicam.

In the available literature, against the background of treatment with this drug, only isolated cases of asymptomatic, but a significant increase in the level of transaminases or clinically pronounced liver dysfunctions were not noted [44, 45].

Comparative hepatotoxicity of various NSAIDs was studied by Italian authors G. Traversa et al. [46]. They compared the incidence of liver dysfunction in 397,537 patients treated with NSAIDs in 1997-2001. According to the data obtained, meloxicam showed the best tolerance. The frequency of hepatotoxic reactions during its use was 23.6 episodes per 100,000 person-years. A similar indicator for nimesulide, diclofenac and ibuprofen was significant – 35. 2, 39,2 and 44 episodes per 100,000 person-years [46].

Concluding the review, it should be noted that the benefits of any drug are determined not only by successful pharmacological properties and favorable results of clinical trials. For practicing physicians, the “reputation” of the drug is of great importance, which is acquired over the years of its successful use in real clinical practice.

Meloxicam is a representative of NSAIDs, whose good “reputation” is beyond doubt. This drug is well known to doctors all over the world, they trust its effectiveness and good tolerance and actively use it in their work. It should be noted that the good “reputation” of meloxicam is due to a specific original drug, known abroad as mobic (mobic), and in Russia as movalis. It was he who was tested in numerous clinical trials, ultimately proving its therapeutic potential and a favorable tolerability profile. The presence of similar benefits in numerous generic meloxicam still requires strong evidence.