What Is Meloxicam Used For? Warnings, Doses, and More

1. Meloxicam dosage
2. How long does it take for meloxicam to work?
3. Meloxicam side effects
4. Drug interactions
5. Warnings and risks

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Meloxicam is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a type of painkiller, used to treat medical conditions characterized by pain and swelling like arthritis.

Meloxicam is sold as generic meloxicam tablets and under the brand names Mobic and Vivlodex. Generic meloxicam is sometimes referred to as generic Mobic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved meloxicam to treat pain in patients who have osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis), rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammatory condition), and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. None of these conditions can be cured, but the pain associated with joint inflammation can be managed with NSAIDs like meloxicam (FDA, 2012).

Meloxicam may also be used off-label to treat the pain associated with gout flare-ups. Gout is a painful type of arthritis characterized by sudden pain, redness, and swelling that most commonly affects one joint of the big toe, but can appear in any joint in the body. It results from a buildup of uric acid in the body, and a range of behavioral factors can trigger flare-ups or attacks in susceptible individuals.

Certain foods, like shellfish and red meat, and drugs, such as aspirin and certain diuretics (“water pills”), increase the levels of uric acid in the body. Meloxicam can help manage gout symptoms but will not prevent future attacks (Gaffo, 2019; Jin, 2012).

Generic meloxicam tablets and brand name Mobic or Vivlodex tablets are available in 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg dosages. There are multiple forms of this medication. Meloxicam comes as an oral suspension (7.5 mg/5 ml), a disintegrating tablet (7.5 mg and 15 mg dosages), and an intravenous (IV) solution (30 mg/mL). IV meloxicam is used in a hospital setting.

Most people usually take one pill by mouth daily. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual. Don’t take a double dose. Meloxicam tablets should be stored at room temperature and out of the reach of children.

A 30-day supply of meloxicam costs between $4 to over $400 (GoodRx.com). The price depends on the strength and whether you purchase brand name or generic pills. Many insurance plans cover meloxicam.

Meloxicam interactions: what you shouldn’t mix with this drug

Drugs

Last updated: May 12, 2021

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It may take time to feel the full effects of meloxicam. One study that looked at how the medicine helped RA patients over 18 months found the effectiveness of meloxicam increased during the first six months but plateaued after that.

However, those with RA may begin to feel some relief as early as three weeks into treatment. Another study that only tested the NSAID for three weeks still found a significant improvement in morning joint pain by the end of the study.

Patients with osteoarthritis may experience improvements in their joint pain after two weeks of treatment. Researchers noted evidence that meloxicam was working after just two weeks in patients given both 7.5 mg and 15 mg daily doses of the prescription drug. The results were also dose-dependent; those given higher doses of meloxicam experienced more relief.

The most common side effects of meloxicam are diarrhea, indigestion, and flu-like symptoms. Other possible side effects include headache, dizziness, skin rash, and other gastrointestinal issues such as heartburn, nausea, and gas (DailyMed, 2019).

The FDA issued a black box warning about this medication and its serious potential side effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Meloxicam can increase your risk of bleeding, ulceration, and perforations in the stomach or intestines. These conditions may occur without warning and may be fatal.

Older people and those with a prior history of GI problems using meloxicam are at higher risk for these adverse effects. Note that this drug does not need to be taken by mouth to cause digestive problems. It does the same when administered as an injection.

NSAIDs act on different parts of the inflammation pathway to decrease symptoms such as swelling. Meloxicam also interferes with blood clotting and slows clotting time. This may increase your risk of bleeding (Martini, 2014).

Certain medications may increase the risk of bleeding if taken with meloxicam. Blood thinners (like warfarin), antiplatelet agents (such as aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors should not be taken with meloxicam for this reason.

Smoking or drinking alcohol while taking meloxicam also increases your risk of bleeding problems. Meloxicam may render medications to treat high blood pressure less effective. Drugs that lower blood pressure like ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or beta-blockers may be less effective if taken with meloxicam. 

Meloxicam 15 mg: when you need the maximum dose

Drugs

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Meloxicam may have this effect on other medications such as diuretics, which are drugs that reduce fluid retention. Loop diuretics (like furosemide), and thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, may not work as well if taken with meloxicam. These medications may worsen kidney function if taken together, potentially causing kidney failure.

Combining meloxicam with other NSAIDs, including over-the-counter ones like naproxen, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, increases the chance of developing gastrointestinal problems like bleeding or ulcers.

There is a black box warning about the side effects of meloxicam. A black box warning is the FDA’s most serious advisory on a medication, which comes in the insert for some medications.

Meloxicam may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially in people with heart disease or other cardiovascular risk factors. This risk may be higher if you use meloxicam long-term.

Meloxicam should not be used to treat pain right before or after heart surgery, like a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure, as NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attack or stroke following these procedures. Meloxicam can also increase the risk of bleeding, ulceration, and holes in the stomach or intestines (Kulik, 2015). 

NSAIDs such as meloxicam should also not be taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. These medications may interfere with how the fetus’s heart develops, redirecting blood flow that may result in progressive heart problems later on (Enzensberger, 2012). 

If you’re breastfeeding, discuss meloxicam use with a medical professional. It isn’t known if this medication gets into breastmilk. A healthcare professional can help weigh the benefits of using this medication while nursing.

People who are or wish to become pregnant should discuss NSAID use with a healthcare provider. NSAID use is associated with infertility, which may mean it’s necessary to discontinue use in individuals having a hard time getting pregnant (Bermas, 2014). 

You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, black or bloody stool, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.

Meloxicam may cause severe allergic reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or a blistering skin rash. If you experience any of these symptoms, get medical help immediately (DailyMed, 2019).

1. American College of Rheumatology (ACR). (2019). Gout. Retrieved on Sep. 16, 2020 from https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Gout
2. Bloor, M. & Paech, M. (2013). Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs During Pregnancy and the Initiation of Lactation. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 116(5), 1063-1075. doi:10.1213/ane.0b013e31828a4b54. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23558845/
3. Bermas, B. L. (2014). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for the management of rheumatoid arthritis before and during pregnancy. Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 26(3), 334-340. doi:10.1097/bor.0000000000000054. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24663106/
4. DailyMed. (2019). Meloxicam tablet. Retrieved on Sep. 16, 2020 from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d5e12448-1ca1-46a4-8de4-e8b94567e5a8
5. Enzensberger, C., Wienhard, J., Weichert, J., Kawecki, A., Degenhardt, J., Vogel, M., & Axt-Fliedner, R. (2012). Idiopathic Constriction of the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 31(8), 1285-1291. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.8.1285. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22837295/
6. Gaffo, A. L. (2019). Treatment of gout flares. Retrieved Sep. 18, 2020 from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-gout-flares/
7. GoodRx.com. (n.d.). Meloxicam. Retrieved Sep. 16, 2020 from https://www.goodrx.com/meloxicam
8. Jin, M., Yang, F., Yang, I., Yin, Y., Luo, J. J., Wang, H., & Yang, X. F. (2012). Uric acid, hyperuricemia and vascular diseases. Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark edition), 17, 656–669. doi:10.2741/3950. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3247913/
9. Kulik, A., Bykov, K., Choudhry, N. K., & Bateman, B. T. (2015). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration after coronary artery bypass surgery: Utilization persists despite the boxed warning. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 24(6), 647-653. doi:10.1002/pds.3788. Retrieved from https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/nkc/files/2015_nsaids_after_cabg_pds. pdf
10. Martini, A. K., Rodriguez, C. M., Cap, A. P., Martini, W. Z., & Dubick, M. A. (2014). Acetaminophen and meloxicam inhibit platelet aggregation and coagulation in blood samples from humans. Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis, 25(8), 831-837. doi:10.1097/mbc.0000000000000162. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25004022/
11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2012). Mobic (meloxicam) tablets and oral suspension. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/012151s072lbl.pdf

Dr. Mike is a licensed physician and the Director, Medical Content & Education at Ro.

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.

Neurologist Alexei Sergeev talks about a breakthrough in the treatment of migraine

At the request of Dozhd, neurologist Alexei Sergeev talks about new drugs, meaningless diagnoses, unnecessary tests, headaches in children and types of childhood migraine that few people know about.

A breakthrough in treatment

The molecule that triggers migraine attacks, CGRP (calcitonin gene related peptide), was discovered back in 1984. For more than 30 years, scientists have been trying to find a way to influence it in order to come up with an effective drug for the treatment of migraine. And just last year, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) – the organization that registers and controls drugs in the United States – registered for use the first drug, and then the second and third, which reduce the number of migraine attacks by blocking the activity of this molecule or its receptor. So far, drugs are only allowed for adults, but clinical trials are already underway for children. Two of these drugs are already registered in Europe. In Russia, they have been at the registration stage since last year, we hope that in the autumn the medicine will also appear in our country. Therapy consists of a subcutaneous injection once a month (one of the drugs – once every three months). In 20% of patients, seizures disappear almost completely, in the rest, the frequency of seizures is significantly reduced. Now another type of drug is being developed that acts on the same molecule, which perfectly relieves pain already at the time of the attack. Even triptans, drugs for moderate to severe migraine attacks, are only 70% effective, and new drugs are expected to be more effective and better tolerated. They are currently in the third phase of clinical trials. Together, these developments are a real breakthrough in the field of prevention and treatment of migraine.

Types of headaches

Headaches can have over 150 different causes. A headache, like any pain, can be a sign of danger if some structure in the body is damaged – a vessel, membrane, skin, joint or ligament. Such pain is called symptomatic or secondary headache. In this case, doctors need to understand where the danger that pain signals is and treat the cause.

But much more often a headache is a manifestation of an independent neurological disease. Such pains are called primary, and they make up about 95% of all headaches. Among them, it makes sense to distinguish three main groups – tension headache, migraine and rare, but very severe options – trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia.

It happens that before a headache appears during a migraine attack, a person’s vision changes – there are certain flashes before the eyes, flickering zigzags, spots, transient numbness of the face or hand. This is called migraine aura. According to recent data, migraine with aura is a slightly different disease than migraine without aura. Migraine attacks with aura are less common but more severe. In certain variants, migraine with aura is treated differently.

Primary headaches do not kill a person, and usually they do not lead to any complications, but they can seriously spoil life.

Photo: Maria Mozharova

Myths about migraine and unnecessary tests

There is a common myth that one of the most common causes of headaches in children and adults is associated with problems in the cervical spine. In reality, such a connection is extremely rare, and in such situations we are talking about cervicogenic headache. In Russia, this term has been replaced by “cervicocranialgia” – from the words “cervical” (cervical) – cervical and “cranial” (cranial) – cranial. In Russia, there is a huge overdiagnosis of this syndrome, this is a very common diagnosis in our country, although in reality this situation is less than 1% of all headaches. Indeed, 80% of migraine attacks begin with discomfort in the neck, but this is due to the fact that the trigeminal nerve system is connected by the occipital nerve. As a rule, with headache attacks, pain in the neck is a consequence of the onset of a migraine attack, and not its cause.

For the diagnosis of primary forms of headaches (migraine, tension headache), as a rule, it is absolutely useless to perform ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and head and laboratory tests. In the presence of warning signs of symptomatic headaches, an MRI of the brain is sometimes possible, but after consulting a doctor. In very rare cases, electroencephalography (EEG) may be done for atypical migraine attacks with aura. But in most cases, performing an EEG for headaches is a waste of time and money. In general, if a doctor prescribes an x-ray of the cervical spine, electroencephalography, rheoencephalography (REG), ultrasound of the vessels for headaches and explains the headaches as “impaired cerebral blood flow or clamping an artery in the neck”, this means that you need to see another doctor.

In 2016, a large study was conducted that analyzed the genetic data of more than 300,000 patients to study the genetics of migraine. Scientists have identified 44 nucleotide polymorphisms associated with an increased risk of migraine. But this is not a diagnostic test system. Simply put, there are currently no biochemical or genetic tests that can be done to confirm a diagnosis of migraine. There are only clinical criteria for the diagnosis, collected on the basis of a conversation with the patient and his examination. They are quite clear and simple. In most cases, with their help, it is not difficult to diagnose migraine. All additional examinations are done only if other possible causes of headache are suspected.

Nootropics and useless drugs

While no new drugs for migraine are registered in Russia, we use drugs from the group of antidepressants, anticonvulsants and other pharmacological groups (b-blockers, Ca-channel blockers), the effectiveness of which has been proven. Drugs that supposedly improve blood circulation in the brain are ineffective for migraines and headaches. The mechanism of development of headaches and migraine, in particular, is not connected with circulatory disorders, this is known and proven more than 30 years ago. There is no drug that “improves blood circulation.” These drugs have been shown to be effective in animal experiments, but none have been shown to be effective in human clinical studies. Apparently, all these “vascular”, “nootropic” drugs were invented not for patients, but for doctors. The treatment of chronic neurological diseases has a rather low efficiency, and therefore, instead of explaining to patients that there is no effective therapy, it is easier to give some medicine – albeit useless, but safe. This is the use of the placebo effect, only not in the study, but in practice – beautiful words in response to the patient’s expectations, a temporary improvement and no effect after one to two months.

In recent years, another common myth has emerged, born of popular TV shows, that there is a “magic” injection in the back of the head – an occipital nerve block, which supposedly immediately helps all migraine patients. People come to us and say: give me an injection as soon as possible! Unfortunately, the reality is not so optimistic. In fact, this is a really good method, which has its own place in the treatment of chronic migraine, but in addition to drug therapy, with the ineffectiveness of this therapy. The effectiveness of the injection was evaluated in patients with chronic migraine – those who have 15 attacks per month or more. Blockade of the occipital nerve leads to a reduction in attacks for several days a month – there were 15 attacks, after the injection it decreased slightly, for a short time, but recovery did not occur. So it’s not a panacea.

Tension headache and migraine

More than 90% of people experience tension headache periodically in their lives. If we work in a static position at a computer for a long time, sit in gadgets, in a stuffy room, we may experience bilateral, squeezing pain in the temples or in the crown of the head. Usually it is easy – on a ten-point scale by about 3-4 points. To make the pain go away, you just need to get out of work, take a walk, drink coffee, get some air, go to a workout. Only if the pain lasts for a long time, does not go away, becomes stronger, does it make sense to take a pill.

Migraine is a different story, it is a disease that presents with a headache plus other symptoms. As a rule, an attack, in addition to pain, is accompanied by nausea, increased sensitivity to light, sounds and smells. Migraine can be bilateral or unilateral, migraine attacks are severe or mild, but even with a mild attack, it is difficult and not necessary to endure the pain. Without timely use of an anesthetic, an attack, as a rule, intensifies to severe and may be accompanied by vomiting. If you do not take medication, the attack lasts from four hours to three days. During a mild attack, simple drugs can be effective – ibuprofen, paracetamol and other painkillers that are sold in any supermarket in the world. If migraine attacks are rare – once a month or two, a person knows a drug that helps him get rid of pain, then there is no special need to see a doctor. There is enough information about migraine triggers, and patients themselves can figure out which triggers are relevant for them – dark chocolate, red wine, hard cheese or lack of sleep. If the attacks occur more than twice a month, or if their frequency and strength begin to increase or are accompanied by other symptoms, this is an occasion to consult a doctor.

As for the choice of medicines, there is neither an ideally safe drug, nor any particularly strong and terrible one. Any pain reliever is not safe for frequent and long-term use. With migraines, it is important to use drugs in the correct dosage. For example, they often take ibuprofen 200 mg and then say that it does not help them. In fact, this is a children’s dosage, an adult needs at least 400 mg. The second important point is that for the drug to help, it must be taken on time and washed down with a sufficient amount of water (200–300 ml). If you draw a curve from a mild headache to a severe one on the graph, you need to take the medicine within half an hour from the moment the pain begins to grow.

It is important to be aware of the risk of developing overuse headache, or, in other words, drug-induced headache. Each drug has its own allowable conditional “norms” – for example, ibuprofen has no more than 15 tablets per month. Exceeding these “norms” for a long time leads to the fact that headaches occur more often. Combination analgin-containing analgesics, beloved by many of us, can cause overbusy headache faster and are considered a reserve, and not the first choice for headache pain relief. There are restrictions on the use of painkillers in various groups of patients, for example, ibuprofen is prohibited for pregnant women from the third trimester. Often a migraine can “fall asleep”, regress during pregnancy. But if seizures persist during pregnancy, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor and clarify what can be taken and what not.

For moderate to severe migraine attacks, it is useless to take simple painkillers, in such cases other medicines are needed. This is a fairly large group of drugs, which is called the general term triptans. If the attack begins with nausea, which is then connected to a headache, no matter what drugs you take – triptans or simple painkillers, their effectiveness may decrease dramatically. This is due to migraine gastrostasis – impaired absorption of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract. In the case where the attack starts with nausea, we can advise the patient to take a pill for nausea plus a drug for migraine – together, the effectiveness will be much higher. In the world there are special sprays with triptans, in an instant form, and there is a special subcutaneous injector with triptan, effective in more than 90% of cases – they allow you to enter the drug into the body, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, which significantly increases their effectiveness. But, unfortunately, they are not registered in Russia – we only have regular triptan tablets.

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TVC)

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are a group of rare primary headaches that are characterized by very severe pain, 10 points out of 10 possible. They are always one-sided, in the temporal zone or eye area. This term comes from the words “cephalgia” – headache, “trigeminal” – associated with the trigeminal nerve, and “vegetative”, because for these diseases, a bright autonomic accompaniment is typical strictly on one side – lacrimation, redness of the eye, swelling of the eyelid, cover eyes. Attacks of TVC are short, from a few seconds to an hour and a half. Sometimes these pains are called suicidal, because there are cases when people tried to commit suicide, unable to bear it. Fortunately, today doctors have the opportunity to help patients with TVC, remove the pain at the time of the attack and reduce their number.

Photo: Maria Mozharova

Headaches in children

Children’s headaches are an important topic in their own right. Recently, a family from Altai, the parents of a five-year-old boy, came to our clinic of nervous diseases after a sad history of trips to various local hospitals with complaints of periodic changes in vision and headaches. After examinations, we excluded all possible symptomatic causes of pain and came to the diagnosis of migraine with aura. Unfortunately, migraine in children can start early, at the age of 5-7 years, but, as a rule, these attacks are rare and do not require any ongoing therapy. We discussed all this with my parents, and they went back to their home in Altai reassured. The child continued to play sports, and seizures were very rare. However, this story had a continuation. The parents decided to continue consulting in various regional clinics, and during the year the child’s diagnosis was changed three times – a stroke, aneurysm, increased intracranial pressure, developmental disorders and other horror stories were mentioned that had no justification, except for denying the simple fact that migraine may be in children.

Unfortunately, this is a common situation. Migraine at the age of 10-17 years occurs in children as often as in adults, but still in our reality is hidden under the dubious diagnosis of VVD, or “instability of the cervical spine”, or increased intracranial pressure. Often at the same time, some absolutely unnecessary, ineffective “vascular” drugs are prescribed. Parents come to us and say: “We got periodic headaches somewhere in the third grade, and now we are already in the eighth, we constantly do examinations – we don’t find anything, but we are being observed with a diagnosis of VVD. ” The usual reception of a child with a headache is huge folders of results of dubious examinations, which means that terrible nerves and anxiety of parents, often completely in vain. And the child grows up with the feeling that he is ill with something serious and incurable.

It has been known for over 50 years that boys have migraine onset at the age of 6-7 years. In girls aged 12-13 years. In adolescence, the ratio changes to the same as in adults – girls suffer from migraines three times more often than boys. If you take all schoolchildren from 6 to 18 years old, 10% will have a migraine, 40-50% will have a tension headache.

Headache provocateurs in children

Of course, when we meet at the initial appointment with a child complaining of headache, it is important for us to exclude possible symptomatic causes. Sometimes a survey and a neurological examination are enough for this. It is not necessary to prescribe a huge number of examinations. After making sure that the diagnosis is migraine or tension headache, the doctor must determine what provokes attacks. In children, it is very important to understand what are the headache triggers. For example, there is such a phenomenon as Monday morning migraine. On weekends, the child goes to bed later, and on Monday he gets up at his usual 7 am – a change in sleep patterns and lack of sleep can provoke a migraine attack. Often children do not eat at school because the food is not tasty or they are embarrassed to eat the food they brought with them – hunger, as well as sleep disturbance, is one of the most common migraine provocateurs. In children, in many cases, the factors that lead to an increase in migraine and tension-type headache lie in the psychological area. Relationships at school, relationships in the family, anxiety are the main problems that can lead to the fact that the pain becomes chronic. Therefore, often the treatment of children’s headaches is carried out in conjunction with a psychotherapist.

If the child has 3-4 migraine attacks per month, we will try behavioral therapy first, not medication. If you establish a regimen – sleep, nutrition and reduce psycho-emotional stress, add regular aerobic exercise, only this can sometimes reduce 30-40% of headaches. But if migraine attacks are frequent, for three or more months, their frequency does not decrease on the background of non-drug therapy, then drug therapy is necessary. There are medications that can effectively reduce the number of seizures. It is important to note that these are not drugs from the group of “vascular” or nootropics – their effectiveness has not been proven in the treatment of headaches, neither in adults nor in children. For the preventive treatment of migraine in children, drugs with proven efficacy (b-blockers, Ca-channel blockers, some anticonvulsants, and others) are used that are approved for use in pediatric practice.

For the course (prophylactic) treatment of tension headache in children, there is no drug with proven high efficiency. Sometimes amitriptyline, an antidepressant prescribed for chronic, daily pain, may be used, but this is “despair therapy.” Correctly in the treatment of frequent and chronic variants of tension headache in children, focus on cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, with an analysis of the situation in the family, at school and on solving problems that cause overexertion in the child.

Abdominal migraine and other unusual types of migraine in children

In children, migraine may present with more than just a headache. There is a separate group of conditions associated with migraine in children. For example, abdominal migraine is not manifested by headaches, but by periodic pains in the abdomen. Children with migraines can also often have kinetosis, a tendency to motion sickness in transport. Another variant of the migraine equivalent is dizziness attacks, which occur abruptly, last from several minutes to several hours and disappear without a trace. The syndrome of cyclic vomiting is known in children 4–6 years old, when vomiting develops many times during the day, not associated with either metabolic or gastroenterological disorders. It is important to keep in mind that such children’s periodic syndromes can be considered as the equivalent of migraine only after excluding all possible other causes – gastroenterological, neurological, ENT pathology (for episodes of dizziness), etc. All these symptoms, as a rule, require examinations and only after that, they can be diagnosed as a childhood variant of migraine.

Diagnosis and treatment of headaches in Russia

I just received a second-year student from a Moscow medical university. From the age of 14, she was dripped senseless nootropic drugs every six months, supposedly for headaches. At first she felt better, and then after a couple of months it got worse. The trigger for her migraine was actually an anxiety disorder that had not been treated. Now she already has a chronic migraine, she drinks more than 30 painkillers a month, she has anxiety panic disorder and sleep disturbance – the girl is forced to take academic leave.

There are many such undiagnosed and neglected cases, but in general it is worth noting that the situation in Russia is beginning to change in a positive direction. Modern Russian clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of headaches were developed by my colleagues, they are absolutely adequate and meet international standards.

I teach students and recently I see that most of the younger generation of doctors strive for modern knowledge and do not think of themselves in isolation from the global practice and medical science. Recently, at Sechenov University, my colleagues and I received an educational grant and developed a program for students, residents and doctors “Diagnosis and treatment of headaches.” In parallel, colleagues from the University Headache Clinic conducted the first educational course on the treatment of headaches under the auspices of the European Headache Federation. Many young doctors are interested in the problem and strive to receive objective information about the diagnosis and treatment of headaches in children and adults. I really hope that this will eventually turn the Russian situation upside down.

Asya Chachko

Back pain is a very common problem and most people complain of back pain. It is sometimes called sciatica, but is more commonly described as pain in the lower back.
To get rid of pain in the lower back, you need to understand why the lower back hurts. The causes of this phenomenon are different, which is why the treatment can sometimes differ. But in most cases, the ways to deal with pain are similar.

Causes of back pain

The most common cause of back pain is osteochondrosis. Sciatica, which is often referred to as constant back pain, is one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis. Osteochondrosis is a change in the structures of the spine, namely, the cartilage of the vertebrae and its surrounding tissues, as a result of which the cartilage is deformed, compressed, reduced in height, often while infringing on the nerve endings that are nearby. The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is age. Any person with age undergoes changes in the structures of the spine, characteristic of osteochondrosis. However, depending on the type of activity, physical activity, the state of the so-called muscular corset (that is, the muscles surrounding the spine, holding it in the correct position), someone may not notice these changes, and someone suffers from pain. Most people, for various reasons, belong to the second group.

Another reason that can cause constant back pain is spinal instability. It can hardly be considered a diagnosis from a medical point of view, but doctors use this term when they say that the vertebrae of a patient complaining of pain are not in a constant correct position, and due to weakness of the muscles around them, they may slightly shift, pinching or injuring the nerve endings and causing discomfort. With instability of the vertebrae, both pulling pain in the lower back and rather acute pain associated with various movements or after physical exertion can occur. If nagging pain in the lower back occurs frequently, this is a reason to consult a doctor to rule out diseases of the kidneys or pelvic organs, which can also cause such symptoms.
Unusual physical activity also causes back pain. Usually people who know that the lower back is their “weak spot” complain about it. Long enough to walk or stand, do serious cleaning – and the pain is right there. It is often quite sharp. Severe lower back pain after physical exertion or a long stay in a static position usually limits mobility for a while. Everyone who is familiar with this condition will remember that after a general cleaning of the house or work in the garden, it is literally “impossible to straighten up.” And although the pain is very strong, sometimes sharp, it does not pose a serious danger. One of the effective methods of dealing with it is rest.

The back can hurt due to myositis – inflammation of the lumbar muscles, which occurs after severe overexertion or hypothermia.

How to treat low back pain

Approaches to treating low back pain depend on the underlying cause.
• If your back hurts in the lower back after physical exertion, then rest is the best way to solve the problem. Relieve yourself of the physical strain for a few days, and you will notice that the pain has decreased.
• If the cause of back pain is osteochondrosis, an integrated approach to solving the problem will help. Firstly, with osteochondrosis, swimming is the most useful physical activity. Those who swim regularly are less likely to experience back and lower back pain. Secondly, for pain caused by osteochondrosis, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are prescribed. Remember that not only popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are not recommended for a long time due to the high risk of side effects, have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, but also B vitamins, namely vitamins B1 and B6. Milgamma tablets contain both of these vitamins, one of them – B1 – in a fat-soluble form (benfotiamine), which is absorbed faster than water-soluble thiamine and is more effective for treating pain. Vitamins B1 and B6 are not called neuroprotective for nothing – they help restore the sheaths of nerve fibers that suffer from inflammatory processes in the spine, including back pain. Taking a drug with B vitamins is one of the effective ways to relieve back pain.
• If discomfort is a consequence of an injury, you should consult an orthopedist or vertebrologist who will prescribe treatment for low back pain. Most likely, it will also include taking B vitamins (including those in the Milgamma tablets), local therapy, and for severe pain, an additional painkiller.

Caution when self-medicating!

If back pain, especially in the lower back, occurs frequently, interferes with normal activity, seems unusual, and occurs suddenly, you should consult your doctor. The same applies to those cases if aching or pulling pain in the lower back is constantly haunting. It is difficult for the patient to determine on his own what diseases the lower back hurts.