What is Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Meloxicam works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Meloxicam is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.
Meloxicam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Meloxicam?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking meloxicam. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Meloxicam?

Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to meloxicam, or to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Before taking meloxicam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding, bowel problems, diverticulosis
liver or kidney disease
asthma
polyps in your nose; or
if you smoke

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take meloxicam.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking meloxicam during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Do not take meloxicam during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.
Meloxicam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Meloxicam Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Meloxicam?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking meloxicam and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance
black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
urinating less than usual or not at all
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness

Less serious side effects may include:

upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation; bloating, gas
dizziness, headache, nervousness, mood changes
skin itching or rash
dry mouth
increased sweating, runny nose
blurred vision; or
ringing in your ears

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Meloxicam Interactions

What other drugs affect Meloxicam?

Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with meloxicam may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking meloxicam, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix)
glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase)
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
steroids (prednisone and others)

an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik); or
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with meloxicam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Meloxicam?

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain medicines similar to meloxicam (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
Do not drink alcohol while taking meloxicam. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Meloxicam Dosage

How should I take Meloxicam?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. The maximum amount of meloxicam for adults is 15 milligrams (mg) per day. Know the amount of meloxicam in the specific product you are taking.
If you take meloxicam for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using meloxicam.
Store meloxicam at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I overdose on Meloxicam?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, fever, urinating less than usual or not at all, shallow breathing, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What happens if I miss a dose of Meloxicam?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com

Meloxicam