Meloxicam

Generic name: Meloxicam (oral/injection)
Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Usage of Meloxicam

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause pain, fever, and inflammation in the body.

Meloxicam is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints).

Meloxicam is also used to relieve the pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis that affects children) in children 2 years of age and older.

The Anjeso brand of this medicine is used to treat moderate to severe pain in adults.

Vivlodex is for use only in adults. Qmiiz ODT is for adults and children weighing at least 132 pounds (60 kilograms).

Meloxicam side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to meloxicam (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.

Meloxicam may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;

shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);

swelling or rapid weight gain;

signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed, cold hands and feet; or

kidney problems - little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common meloxicam side effects may include:

stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn;

diarrhea, constipation, gas;

dizziness; or

cold symptoms, flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Meloxicam

Meloxicam can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). Meloxicam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal.

Meloxicam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

You should not use meloxicam if you are allergic to it, or if you ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure meloxicam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;

a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

ulcers or stomach bleeding;

asthma;

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

liver disease; or

fluid retention.

If you are pregnant, you should not take meloxicam unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

Meloxicam may cause a delay in ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). You should not take this medicine if you are undergoing fertility treatment, or are otherwise trying to get pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Meloxicam is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Meloxicam

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets: -Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 15 mg orally once a day in patients requiring additional analgesia -Maximum dose: 15 mg orally once a day Oral Capsules: -Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 10 mg orally once a day in patients requiring additional analgesia -Maximum dose: 10 mg orally once a day.

Use: For the relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis pain

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Use: For the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

30 mg IV bolus (over 15 seconds) once a day Comments: -Median time to meaningful pain relief was 2 to 3 hours in clinical trials; a non-NSAID with a rapid onset may be needed; some patients may not experience adequate analgesia for the first 24-hours. -The lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible consistent with individual treatment goals should be used. Use: For the management of moderate-to-severe pain, alone or in combination with non-NSAID analgesics.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

2 years or older: Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets: Weight: 60 kg or greater: 7.5 mg orally once a day -No additional benefit has been demonstrated with doses above 7.5 mg/day. Comments: -Oral formulations have not shown equivalent systemic exposure and are not considered interchangeable -The oral tablets should not be used in children who weigh less than 60 kg. Use: For the relief of signs and symptoms of pauciarticular or polyarticular course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Warnings

Meloxicam can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine.

Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

Meloxicam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as they also increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

What other drugs will affect Meloxicam

Ask your doctor before using meloxicam if you take an antidepressant. Taking certain antidepressants with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

cyclosporine;

lithium;

methotrexate;

Pemetrexed;

sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate);

a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or

steroid medicine (such as prednisone).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with meloxicam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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