Why it's used

Meloxicam is used for the short-term treatment of symptoms of acute attacks of degenerative joint disease (also called as osteoarthritis). This medicine works by blocking the activity of chemicals released by the body that may cause fever, inflammation, and pain. Meloxicam is also used for the long-term treatment of symptoms of pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints (rheumatoid arthritis) and inflammation of the backbone (ankylosing spondylitis), and to treat sign and symptoms of joint inflammation (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) in children 2 years or older.
When not to use
Meloxicam cannot be used to treat pain before or after the surgical procedures of heart (coronary artery bypass graft surgery).
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Meloxicam is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of medicines called Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also called as NSAIDs, help reduce fever, decrease pain, and prevent clotting of blood. NSAIDs also reduce inflammation in the body when used in higher doses.

How to use

Follow directions on the product label, information guide, and provided by your doctor before using Meloxicam. Consume this medicine as per your doctor's instructions.
Meloxicam is consumed with or without food. Meloxicam should be placed in the mouth on the tongue and allowed to dissolve slowly for five minutes. Never chew or swallow the tablet, on the other hand, dissolve the Meloxicam tablets slowly for over 5 minutes. Swallow the Meloxicam with 240 ml of water, which further helps to moisten the dry mouth.
The typical adult dose of Meloxicam is 7.5-15 mg/day (not more than 15 mg/day). The typical dose for children is 0.125 mg/kg (0.056 mg/lb) once daily (not more than 7.5 mg/kg (3.4 mg/lb) once daily). The maximum dose for adults of Meloxicam is 15 mg/day per day. Meloxicam is typically used at the same time every day.
Meloxicam is to be used for longer periods of time. Meloxicam may be prescribed for the long-term use for the treatment of symptoms of pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints (rheumatoid arthritis) and inflammation of the backbone (ankylosing spondylitis).
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens or if you develop new symptoms. Talk to your doctor if increased levels of liver enzymes, and worsening of high blood pressure conditions. If you have any kidney disease, No dose reduction is needed for patients with mild to moderate kidney problems. In dialysis patients with severe kidney failure, the maximum daily dose should be given as 7.5 mg/day.
To see the impact of Meloxicam on the body, your doctor may recommend a lower initial dose. Please follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Taking a high dose of this medicine is known to increase the chances of side-effects. A lower dose of Meloxicam may be recommended to reduce the risk of side-effects. Older patients may see an increase in the risk of side-effects. Hence, a lower dose may be recommended.
If you are giving Meloxicam to a child, be sure to use a product that is meant for use in children. Before giving this medicine, use the child's weight or age to find the right dose from the leaflet or product package. Consult with your doctor if the product package does not provide specific information for children.
If using the liquid form of this medicine, measure the dose using the provided measuring cup, spoon, or dropper. Before pouring the medicine into the measuring device, you should check the measurement markings carefully. Then, pour the dose amount into the device. After use, clean and store the measuring device in a safe place for your next use. You should not use a tablespoon or teaspoon as the dose measuring devices since it can result in an incorrect dose. If indicated on the product package, shake the medicine before use.
Avoid drinking alcohol with Meloxicam.
Your doctor may require that certain tests be performed before using Meloxicam. The doctor may ask you to have Blood Pressure test. Blood pressure should be checked before starting the treatment because high blood pressure can happen during the therapy.
Medicines may be given for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. Do not use Meloxicam for symptoms for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Meloxicam to others who may have similar symptoms as you. Self-medication can cause harm.
Store Meloxicam at 25°C (77°F), excursions permitted to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F), and away from moisture. Keep this medicine away from children and pets.

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How to take Meloxicam

Your dose and how often you take Meloxicam will depend on the following factors:
  • age
  • weight
  • patient's health
  • the health of the patient's liver
  • medicines recommended by the doctor
  • any other medicines being used
  • herbal supplements in use
  • response to the medicine

Meloxicam Dosage

Dosage for for the relief of the signs and symptoms of degenerative joint disease (also called as osteoarthritis)

Adult
  • Recommended: 7.5 mg once daily
  • Maximum: 15 mg/day

Dosage for pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints (rheumatoid arthritis) and inflammation of the backbone (ankylosing spondylitis)

Adult
  • Recommended: 7.5 mg once daily
  • Maximum: 15 mg once daily
Older Adults
  • Recommended: 7.5 mg/day

Dosage for inflammation of the joints in children (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)

Adult (children 2 years or older)
  • Recommended: 0.125 mg/kg (0.056 mg/lb) once daily
  • Maximum: 7.5 mg/5ml in one day for suspension

Forms

Oral suspension
Strength: 7.5 mg/5 ml or 15 mg/10 ml
Tablet
Strength: 7.5 mg, 15 mg
Capsule
Strength: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg

Special Instructions

Oral suspension
Shake the suspension well before use.

Missed Dose

A missed dose should be taken as early as you remember it. However, if the time for the next dose is almost there then the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule should be continued. Avoid taking a repeated dose to make up for a missed one.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Meloxicam?
Treatment according to the symptoms (symptomatic) and supportive care should be given in patients who have taken more than the recommended dose of Meloxicam. If the overdose has happened within the last 1-2 hour, the harmful effect can be reduced by taking activated charcoal. Activated Charcoal is a form of carbon that has small, low-volume pores. These pores help trap chemicals as in the case of poisoning. In case of overdose, forced diuresis, blood purify process (hemodialysis and hemoperfusion), and alkalinization of urine may not be useful due to high protein binding. Also, Cholestyramine can be given for the treatment of overdose.
Symptoms of an overdose of Meloxicam
If you use too much of this medicine, it could lead to dangerous levels of the medicine in your body. In such cases, symptoms of an overdose may include:
  • acute kidney failure
  • coma
  • convulsions
  • drowsiness
  • epigastric pain
  • heart collapse
  • high blood pressure
  • lack of energy
  • life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylactoid reactions)
  • liver dysfunction
  • nausea
  • slow and ineffective breathing
  • stomach and intestinal bleeding
  • sudden, unexpected loss of heart function (cardiac arrest)
  • vomiting
If you think you have overdosed on Meloxicam, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Meloxicam

Before you use Meloxicam, discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Tell your doctor if you are allergic any of the following substances: aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Before you use Meloxicam, tell your doctor of your medical and health history including the following: allergic to Meloxicam, aspirin, and other non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs, history of asthma, nasal polyps, stomach or intestinal ulcers, bleeding disorders, bleeding in the stomach, intestine, and brain, severe liver diseases, severe kidney failure and are not receiving dialysis, heart failure, galactose intolerance, disturbed absorption of glucose-galactose, inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract (Crohn´s disease), ulcers in the digestive tract (ulcerative colitis), pain after surgical procedures of heart, abnormal functioning of the kidney, dehydration, high level of lipids in the blood, high blood sugar levels, addiction to smoking, swelling in the esophagus (oesophagitis), or inflammation in the stomach (gastritis). Patients with a history of stomach and intestinal events are at higher risk of bleeding while using Meloxicam. The use of Meloxicam in patients with a history of allergic conditions may cause severely fatal life-threatening allergic reactions. Patients with heart diseases are at increased risk of blood clotting events such as stroke and heart attack. Before having surgery during the use of Meloxicam, discuss with your doctor and dentist about the medicinal products you use including prescription/non-prescription/herbal medicines.
The use of this medicine may change platelet function. Meloxicam may reduce the platelet aggregation which may lead to prolong bleeding and ultimately blood loss.
The use of Meloxicam may change blood pressure. The use of Meloxicam may cause worsening of high blood pressure conditions.
The use of this medicine may change weight. The use of Meloxicam may either increase or decrease the body weight.
The use of Meloxicam may change liver enzymes (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and increased bilirubin). Use of Meloxicam may increase the levels of liver enzymes in the blood.
Meloxicam can make you feel sleepy. Be careful when using any machinery, driving a vehicle, or doing any other activity that needs you to be fully alert. The consumption of alcohol with Meloxicam can worsen the sleepiness. Meloxicam may cause rarely seizures in some people. If you perform any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you (or others), you should discuss with your doctor.
The use of Meloxicam during pregnancy should only be when required. Use of Meloxicam may lead to an increased risk of miscarriage, heart defects and birth defect related to the formation of intestine outside the baby's body (gastroschisis) in early pregnancy. So in the first and second trimester of pregnancy, Meloxicam should only be given if potential benefit justify the risk to the fetus. Meloxicam belongs to the NSAID class of medicines. NSAIDs should not be taken after 29 weeks of pregnancy as these medicines may cause serious harm to the unborn baby. The use of Meloxicam Meloxicam while breastfeeding should only be when required. It is unknown whether Meloxicam may pass into breast milk or not. But as other NSAIDs may pass into breast milk and cause serious harmful effect to the newborn baby, so a decision has to be made to discontinue the drug or discontinue breastfeeding only after considering the importance of this medicine to the mother. Use of Meloxicam may lead to a reversible delay in ovulation in women who are facing difficulties in conceiving, or who are undergoing from the condition of infertility. So, women who are planning to get pregnant, the dose should be kept as low and duration of treatment as short as possible to avoid the harmful effects.
Avoid consuming alcohol together with Meloxicam. Drinking alcohol may cause bleeding in the stomach and intestine tract.
This medicine may cause bleeding in the stomach. Regular use of tobacco and alcohol while using this medicine can increase your risk of bleeding. Discuss this aspect with your doctor if you smoke and drink alcohol regularly. This medicine may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. If this happens, use a sunscreen and cover your skin when you are outdoors. Limit your time in the sun. If you get a sunburn on your skin, consult with your doctor.
Meloxicam may cause increased incidence of side-effects in older patients. Elderly patients may see an increased risk of ulceration and bleeding in the stomach and intestine, rupturing of the walls of stomach and intestine, kidney failure, and decreased kidney blood flow.
Meloxicam may cause an increased risk of side-effects in children. Children using this medicine may see an increased risk of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fever.
Patients using Meloxicam for the long-term treatment may experience kidney cells damage (renal papillary necrosis), kidney failure, kidney injury, swelling, bleeding, ulcer and rupture in the walls of the stomach, large intestine, or small intestine, and low red blood cells (anemia). Such patients may also experience blood clotting events (arterial thrombotic events) such as heart attack and stroke.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Meloxicam to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Only when required
Warning: Meloxicam should only be used if potential benefit justify the risk to the fetus.

Breastfeeding

Only when required
Warning: It is unknown whether Meloxicam may pass into breast milk or not. But as other NSAIDs may pass into breast milk and cause serious harmful effect to the newborn baby, so a decision has to be made to discontinue the drug or discontinue breastfeeding only after considering the importance of this medicine to the mother.

Younger Adults Population

Only When Necessary
Warning: 

Older Adults Population

Management or monitoring precaution
Warning: The use of Meloxicam may cause an increased risk of serious stomach and intestinal tract events such as ulceration, bleeding and rupture in the walls of the stomach or intestine. Elderly patients may experience a dose-dependent decrease in the prostaglandin formation, kidney blood flow which may lead to sudden kidney failure.

Meloxicam Side-effects

The following side-effects may commonly occur when using Meloxicam. If any of these side-effects worsen or last for a long time, you should consult with your doctor:
The following side-effects may commonly occur in older patients on the use of Meloxicam. Discuss with your doctor if any of these side-effects last for a long time or are severe:
  • bleeding in the stomach and intestine
  • kidney failure
  • rupture in the lining of the wall of stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal perforation)
  • ulcer formation in the stomach and intestinal area
The following side-effects may commonly occur in children when using Meloxicam. Discuss with your doctor if any of these side-effects last for a long time or are severe:
Rarely, the use of Meloxicam may cause the following side-effects:
  • abnormal vision
  • back pain
  • backflow of stomach acid in the food pipe (gastroesophageal reflux)
  • blood during vomiting (haematemesis)
  • burning or prickling sensation
  • chest pain (angina pectoris)
  • coughing
  • dark sticky faeces (melaena)
  • decreased weight
  • difficulty in expelling urine from the bladder (micturition frequency)
  • disorientation
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • expelling gas from the stomach through the mouth
  • fainting
  • falls
  • fatigue
  • feeling of discomfort
  • flushing/hot flushes
  • hair loss
  • hives
  • increase number of eosinophils in the blood (eosinophilia)
  • increased appetite
  • increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
  • increased sweating
  • increased weight
  • inflammation and scarring of the intestine (Crohn's disease)
  • insomnia
  • irregular heart beat
  • joints pain
  • kidney inflammation (interstitial nephritis)
  • kidney insufficiency
  • liver function disorders
  • mood altered
  • nervousness
  • nightmares/abnormal dreaming
  • presence of protein (albumin) in urine (albuminuria)
  • rash
  • red or purple discolored spots on the skin
  • ringing in the ears
  • severe itching
  • sodium and potassium imbalances (sodium and water retention)
  • swelling of the face
  • swelling of the limb
  • taste perversion
  • tremor
  • vertigo
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Meloxicam:
  • immune system disorders such as life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylactoid reaction/anaphylactic shock/anaphylaxis)
    Symptoms: difficulty in breathing swelling of the face or throat
    Patients should take immediate medical attention if such symptoms occur. Inform the patients about the signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction.
  • eye disorders
    Symptoms: blurred vision inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis)
  • stomach and intestinal disorders (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: stomach or intestinal bleeding, inflammation in the digestive tract (colitis), inflammation of the esophagus (oesophagitis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), painful swelling and sores inside the mouth, inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis), stomach and duodenal ulcer (gastroduodenal ulcer), rupture in the walls lining of stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal perforation), bleeding from the duodenal ulcer (hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer rupture in the wall of duodenal ulcer (perforated duodenal ulcer)
    Use of Meloxicam should be discontinued, if a serious stomach and intestinal adverse event occur.
  • kidney and urinary disorders
    Symptoms: urinary tract infection, acute kidney failure, acute kidney damage, excessive excretion of protein in the urine (nephrotic syndrome), kidney cells damage, blood in the urine (hematuria), inability to completely or partially empty the bladder, increased creatinine levels, drug induce harmful effects of the kidney, kidney injury high potassium levels
    Meloxicam should be discontinued until the patients recover from the harmful effect of the kidney.
  • skin disorders (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: swelling of the skin, life-threatening skin allergic reaction (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome), skin allergic reaction caused by infection (erythema multiforme), life-threatening drug-induced skin reaction, increased sensitivity to sunlight, redness and peeling of the skin (bullous dermatitis/exfoliative dermatitis), skin rash, skin blisters fever
    Use of Meloxicam should be discontinued at the first occurrence of skin rash and any other sign of allergic reaction. Informed the patients about the symptoms of serious skin allergic reactions.
  • Symptoms: lack of red blood cells (anemia), decrease in the number of leukocytes, low levels of thrombocytes decrease in the number of granulocytes
    If signs or symptoms of anemia occur while using Meloxicam, patients should be monitored for blood levels (hemoglobin or hematocrit).
  • mental and nervous system disorders (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: confusional state, drowsiness, anxiety, depression stroke
    Inform the patients about the symptoms of severe brain and blood vessels related blood clotting events.
  • heart and blood vessels related blood clotting events (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, heart attack, low blood pressure inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis)
    Inform the patients about the symptoms of a serious heart and blood vessels related blood clotting events.
  • liver disorders such as harmful effects to the liver due to drugs (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: liver cell damage, liver failure, increased level of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, increased blood bilirubin (bilirubinemia), jaundice, increased number of eosinophils in the blood (eosinophilia), rash, nausea, fatigue, lack of energy (lethargy), severe skin itching, flu-like symptoms inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
    Use of Meloxicam should be discontinued immediately, If these symptoms occur and patients should take immediate medical therapy.
  • metabolic and nutritional disorders
    Symptoms: dehydration
Your doctor has prescribed Meloxicam because they judge that the benefit is greater than the risk posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This page does not list all possible side-effects of Meloxicam.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Meloxicam by Severity and Frequency

Common Side-effects

Following are the common side-effects of this medicine:

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:

Side-effects in Older Adults

Following are the side-effects of this medicine in elderly patients:

Side-effects in Children

Following are the side-effects of this medicine in young patients:

Mild Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of mild allergic reactions to this medicine:

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
Use of Meloxicam should be discontinued at the first occurrence of skin rash and any other sign of allergic reaction. Inform the patients about the symptoms of serious skin reactions.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Patients with asthma

Patients with asthma are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Patients with asthma may have experience aspirin-sensitive asthma. The use of aspirin and other NSAIDs in these patients may cause a fatal difficulty in breathing (bronchospasm). Take the necessary precautions while using this medicine in asthmatic patients. The Meloxicam should not be used in patients with aspirin sensitivity.

Blood-related effects

Patients receiving Meloxicam therapy are at an increased risk. Patients receiving Meloxicam therapy may experience anemia, and this may be due to excess fluid build up in the body, stomach or intestinal blood loss, or an incomplete production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis). If signs or symptoms of anemia occur while using long-term therapy of Meloxicam, proper monitoring of blood levels (hemoglobin or hematocrit) should be done.

Life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylactoid reactions)

Patients receiving Meloxicam therapy are at an increased risk. Patients receiving Meloxicam therapy may see an increased risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylactoid reactions). This symptom worse typically in asthmatic patients who experience swelling of the nasal passages complicated by non-cancerous growth in the lining of the nose, fatal difficulty in breathing (bronchospasm), after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Patients should take immediate medical attention if such symptoms occur. Inform the patients about the signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women are at an increased risk when using this medicine. The use of Meloxicam during early pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, defects of the abdominal wall and heart. Using Meloxicam during the third trimester of pregnancy may increase the harmful effect of the heart (high blood pressure or premature closure of the ductus arteriosus) and kidney failure with deficiency of amniotic fluid in the fetus (oligohydramnios). At the end of pregnancy, Meloxicam may also cause inhibition of uterine contractions in pregnant mother which can lead to delayed or prolonged labour and prolongation of bleeding time in mother and baby. This medicine should not be used in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Kidney effects

Patients with kidney disease, using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for long-term or dehydrated patients are at increased risk. Kidney inflammation (interstitial nephritis), swelling of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), kidney cell damage, or excretion of too much protein in the urine (nephrotic syndrome) may occur in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients with abnormal functioning of the kidney or liver, kidney failure, volume depletion, too much protein in the urine (nephrotic syndrome), inflammation of the kidney (lupus nephropathy), heart failure, liver dysfunction, taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, or angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and elderly patients are at higher risk of this reaction. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy should not be used in patients with kidney failure or increased levels of the kidney parameters. It is advised first to rehydrate the patients and then to initiate the therapy with # NAME#. Caution and monitoring should also be considered in patients with abnormal functioning of the kidney and kidney disease.

Heart failure, high blood pressure, or swelling of the skin

Patients with fluid retention, high blood pressure, cardiac failure, or swelling of the skin, taking Meloxicam, antihypertensive medicines (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, thiazides, loop diuretics), are at increased risk. Such patients may experience an increased risk of heart disease events. Also, induction of potassium, sodium and water retention may occur while taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Precaution and monitoring should be considered in such patients. In patients with high blood pressure, close monitoring of the high blood pressure should be done while starting and during non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy.

Liver effects

Patients taking Meloxicam are at increased risk. Such patients may experience jaundice, fatal swelling of the liver, liver cell damage (liver necrosis), liver failure, and increased level of liver enzymes. Patients with abnormal liver test or with signs and symptoms of an abnormality in the functioning of the liver should be examined for more severe liver reaction while on Meloxicam therapy. Dose modification is not required in patients with an abnormality in the functioning of the liver. Take necessary precautions while using Meloxicam in such patients.

Bleeding, ulcers, or rupture in the wall of the stomach and intestinal tract

Patients with a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, ulcer disease, or a rupture in the wall of the digestive tract are at an increased risk. Such patients are at ten-fold greater risk for developing stomach and intestinal tract bleeding. Take necessary precautions while using Meloxicam with protective agents (proton pump inhibitors or misoprostol) in these patients. A lowest effective dose of Meloxicam for a short period should be used in such patients.

Patients with a recent history of heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft or CABG)

Patients with a recent history of heart bypass surgery are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Such patients are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke when taking cyclooxygenase- 2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within the first 10 to 14 days following heart surgery. Meloxicam therapy should not be used in such patients.

Heart-related blood clotting problems

Patients taking Meloxicam and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy for more than three years are at an increased risk. These patients are at increased risk of heart and blood vessels disorders such as heart attack and stroke, which can be possibly fatal. Patients with heart disease are at higher risk. The lowest effective dose for a short period should be used in such patients. Patients should be notified about the symptoms of heart disease events and essential measures to take if symptoms occur.

Serious skin reactions

Patients on Meloxicam therapy are at an increased risk. Patients using Meloxicam may experience serious skin adverse events such as life-threatening skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome), redness and peeling of the skin (exfoliative dermatitis) and life-threatening drug-induced skin reaction, which can be fatal. Inform the patients about the symptoms of skin rash, fever, blisters, or other signs of allergic reaction such as itching. The Meloxicam should not be used at the first occurrence of skin rash and any other sign of allergic reaction.

Patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy

Discontinuation of corticosteroids may lead to worsening of corticosteroid insufficiency. Patients should discontinue corticosteroids slowly when discontinuation of corticosteroids is necessary.

Masking of inflammation and fever

The use of Meloxicam in patients with complications of presumed painful and noninfectious conditions may reduce the utility of diagnostic sign of fever and inflammation.

Patients with blood vessel related heart and brain disease

Patients with high blood pressure, heart failure, heart disease, narrowing of blood vessels leading to reduced blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial disease) and blood vessel related brain disease (cerebrovascular disease) are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Using Meloxicam in these patients may cause fluid retention and excessive fluid build up in the body. When non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used at high doses for the long term, it may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Proper monitoring of blood pressure should be done while starting Meloxicam therapy in such patients. Careful consideration should also be made in patients with risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, high blood sugar, or high levels of fat particles in the blood before starting long-term treatment with Meloxicam.

Patients with long-term treatment of Meloxicam

Patients with long-term treatment of Meloxicam are at an increased risk. Long-term use of Meloxicam may cause severe stomach or intestinal ulcerations and bleeding. The Meloxicam should not be used, if systemic events such as increased number of white blood cell (eosinophilia) or rash occur if clinical symptoms of liver disease develop and if abnormal liver function tests worsen or persist.

Interactions with Meloxicam

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), which are used to prevent organ rejection. The use of Meloxicam may affect the kidney prostaglandins effect. When Meloxicam is used in combination with calcineurin inhibitors, it may increase the harmful effects of the kidney. Precaution should be taken in these patients. Also, careful monitoring of the functioning of the kidney should be considered in such patients.
Meloxicam interacts with lithium, which is used to treat depression. When Meloxicam is used with lithium, it may decrease the excretion and increase the levels of the lithium in the blood which may lead to harmful levels of lithium in the blood. Meloxicam should not be used in combination with lithium. If necessary, then proper monitoring for the signs of harmful effects of the lithium while starting, during dose adjustment or stopping the Meloxicam treatment should be done.
There may be an interaction of Meloxicam with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin, which are used to treat pain, fever and inflammation. When Meloxicam is used in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin, it may increase the risk of stomach and intestinal tract events such as bleeding, swelling, ulceration and rupturing of the wall of the stomach, large intestine, or small intestine, which can be fatal. Meloxicam should not be used with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid at doses more than or equal to 3 gram as the total daily amount or more than or equal to 1 gram as single intake.
Meloxicam may interact with antihypertensives agents (diuretics such as furosemide and thiazides, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta blockers, and angiotensin-II antagonists), which are used to treat high blood pressure. When Meloxicam is used with antihypertensives agents, it may decrease the blood pressure lowering effect of these medicines. In patients with reduced functioning of the kidney, dehydration or elderly patients using Meloxicam with antihypertensive agents causes abnormality in the functioning of the kidneys and kidney failure. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with furosemide or diuretics may decrease the sodium excretion of these medicines. Take necessary precautions while using Meloxicam in such patients primarily in the elderly. Appropriate monitoring of the functioning of the kidney, production of the urine and adequate hydration should be done during and after starting the treatment.
Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with methotrexate, which is used to treat cancer. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may decrease the elimination of methotrexate which may lead to harmful effects of methotrexate. Take necessary precautions in patients using Meloxicam with methotrexate. Patients who are on high dosages of methotrexate should not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs due to the increased levels of methotrexate in the blood. Risk should also be considered in patients with an abnormality in the functioning of the kidney when using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a low dose of methotrexate.
Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with intrauterine devices, which are used to prevent pregnancy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the efficacy of the intrauterine devices.
Meloxicam interacts with corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), which are used to treat pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints. When Meloxicam is used with corticosteroids, it may increase the risk of bleeding or stomach and intestinal tract ulcers. Take necessary precautions while using Meloxicam in combination with corticosteroids.
Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used to treat depression. Using Meloxicam with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors increases the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding.
There may be an interaction of Meloxicam with sodium polystyrene sulfonate, which is used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood. When Meloxicam is used in combination with sodium polystyrene sulfonate, it may cause intestinal cell damage, which can be possibly fatal. Patients should not use Meloxicam with sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
Meloxicam may interact with anticoagulants (heparin and warfarin), thrombolytics, and antiplatelets, which are used to prevent heart attack, and blood clotting. Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with anticoagulants, warfarin, thrombolytics, antiplatelets or heparin may increase the risk of bleeding and mucosal damage of the stomach and intestinal tract. Elderly patients or patients taking a therapeutic dose of heparin should not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with heparin or anticoagulants. If necessary, precaution along with careful monitoring of the international normalized ratio should be considered in such patients.
Meloxicam may interact with cholestyramine, which is used to lower high cholesterol levels. Cholestyramine increases the elimination of Meloxicam.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Meloxicam. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Interactions of Meloxicam by Severity

Severe

The following medicines are usually not to be taken together without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can cause harmful effects in the body. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

Moderate

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can increase your risk of harmful effects. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Meloxicam be not used?

Allergic to Meloxicam, aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

This medicine should not be used in patients who are allergic to Meloxicam, aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients may experience an increased risk of life-threatening allergic reactions and severe skin reactions. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:
  • swelling of the lower layer of the skin
  • life-threatening skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome)
  • skin allergic reaction caused by infection (erythema multiforme)
  • life-threatening drug-induced skin reaction
  • increased skin sensitivity to the sunlight
  • redness and peeling of the skin (bullous dermatitis/exfoliative dermatitis)
  • skin rash
  • skin blisters
  • fever
  • difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the face or throat
  • severe itching
  • hives
  • fainting
  • shortness of breath

Patients with a history of asthma, hives, or allergic-type reactions after taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin

This medicine should not be used in such patients. Such patients may experience a life-threatening allergic reaction, aspirin-sensitive-asthma which include swelling of the nasal passages complicated by non-cancerous growth in the lining of the nose, fatal difficulty in breathing (bronchospasm), intolerance to aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Perioperative pain after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)

This medicine should not be used for the treatment of peri-operative pain in patients having heart surgery (coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery). Such patients may experience an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It can be possibly fatal.

Bleeding or rupture (perforation) in the wall of the stomach and intestine, related to prior NSAIDs therapy

This medicine should not be used in patients with a history of bleeding or rupture (perforation) in the wall of the stomach and intestine due to previous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy.

Stomach ulcer or bleeding

This medicine should not be used in patients with active or a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding. Such patients may experience an increased risk of bleeding, ulcers, and rupture (perforation) in the wall of the stomach and intestine.

Active intestinal inflammatory disease such as Crohn´s disease, ulcerative colitis

The use of this medicine is not recommended in patients with an active intestinal inflammatory disease such as inflammation of the digestive tract (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).

Patients with non-dialysed severe kidney, liver, and heart failure

This medicine should not be used in patients with non-dialysed severe kidney, liver, and heart failure. Using Meloxicam in patients with heart failure may experience an excess buildup of fluid in the body and swelling of the skin. The use of Meloxicam in patients with kidney failure may cause the body to excrete too much protein in the urine (nephrotic syndrome), swelling in between the kidney tubules (interstitial nephritis), kidney cell damage, and inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomerulonephritis).

Traveling With Medication

  • Ensure that you carry enough doses of each of your prescription medicines to last the entire trip. The best place to store your medicines is in the carry on baggage. However, while flying, if carrying liquid medicines, make sure you do not go over the limits imposed for carry-on liquids.
  • While traveling overseas, make sure that you can carry each of your prescription medicines legally to your destination country. One way to ensure this is by checking with your destination country's embassy or website.
  • Make sure that you carry each of your medicines in their original packaging, which should typically include your name and address, and the details of the prescribing doctor.
  • If your travel involves crossing time zones, and you are required to take your medicine as per a fixed schedule, make sure that you adjust for the change in time.

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Meloxicam is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Meloxicam .
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