Quick Answer: Common side effects of meloxicam are indigestion, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, and stomach pain. Stomach bleeding, kidney or liver problems, and high blood pressure are other, more serious risks; there are also risks of heart attack, stroke, and severe allergic reaction (particularly at higher doses and with long-term use).
If you or a loved one takes meloxicam as a prescription drug for the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, you must be aware of the side effects of the drug. Meloxicam belongs to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) that can help diminish pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness. It can work great; however, as with all medicines, it may have undesirable side effects.
Reactions can be mild and improve with body familiarization. Others require prompt medical attention. A landmark decision, by knowing the difference, can guide you toward safer choices and when it’s time to seek professional medical advice. And during your search for medication information, you could stumble upon other inquiries, like what a mental health blackout looks like. That’s a whole psychology or mental health issue and has nothing to do with side effects of meds.
Key Takeaways
- Meloxicam is an NSAID that is often used for pain and inflammation from arthritis.
- Side effects include stomach discomfort, indigestion, heartburn, gas, and diarrhea.
- Potential serious complications are gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney issues, liver issues, heart attack and stroke.
- Higher doses/exposure, or longer exposure to meloxicam, can raise some risks.
- Using meloxicam at the same time as other NSAIDs, blood thinners or steroids, or some types of antidepressants may increase the chance of complications.
- Never adjust doses or discontinue the prescribed use unless in consultation with health care provider.
- Chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting blood, black stools, facial swelling, or severe skin reactions are indications for urgent help.
What is Meloxicam?
Meloxicam, a prescription NSAID, is taken to manage pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness due to arthritis (e.g., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis). It functions by means of slowing down, typically, the body’s output of substances which are linked to pain and inflammation.
Meloxicam isn’t an opioid pain medication. But that’s not to say it’s safe. NSAIDs impact the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, cardiovascular system, liver, and blood pressure.
The dosage depends upon the treatment area and type of meloxicam used; doses are typically administered once per day. In general, aim to be the lowest dose possible for the shortest appropriate duration.
Common Side Effects of Meloxicam
While lots of people take meloxicam with very few problems, there are still some common reactions.
The side effects may include:
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Stomach discomfort
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Changes in taste
- Feeling tired or being unable to sleep
Certain side effects may improve as the body acclimates itself to the treatment, Mayo Clinic says. But if any of the symptoms continue or are bothersome, it’s best to see a healthcare professional.
One of the most common errors is to presume tummy hassles are harmless. When pain is severe, persistent or associated with vomiting blood or black or tar-like stools, it could be due to gastrointestinal bleeding and needs urgent assessment.
Serious Side Effects of Meloxicam
More serious side effects of meloxicam are those that affect the heart, stomach and intestines, kidneys, skin and liver.
Stomach Bleeding and Ulcers
NSAIDs can irritate the stomach or intestines and lead to ulcers, bleeding or perforation. These complications can arise at any time, and may seem to have no clear cause.
Older people and those with a history of ulcer or bleeding in the digestive tract may have a greater risk. The use of alcohol, smoking, blood thinners, steroids, and use of longer duration of NSAIDs are also risk factors.
Urgent medical help is needed for:
- Black or bloody poop.
- Vomiting blood
- Very bad or persistent stomachache
- Coffee ground-like vomit
Heart Attack and Stroke
Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as meloxicam, may raise the risk of serious cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke). There may be more risk the higher the dose and the longer the treatment is taken, but the chance of having serious events is also relatively high at early stages of treatment.
Symptoms of stroke, like chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness, drooped face, or difficulty speaking, warrant emergency medical attention.
Kidney Problems
Kidneys help to get rid of wastes and to control fluid balance. In some individuals, NSAIDs can cause problems with kidney function.
The signs are
- Decreased urination
- Retention of fluids in the legs, feet, or face.
- Unusual tiredness
- Increased thirst
- Blood or other anomalies in urine
- Unexplained weight gain
Patients with kidney disease or dehydration should be careful when taking meloxicam.
Liver Problems
However, liver issues are less common, but can occur with meloxicam. Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following: jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, excessive tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, or upper right abdominal pain.
Allergic and Skin Reactions
Some people can develop serious allergic or skin reactions. Swelling of the face, tongue, throat, or lips; difficulty breathing; hives; blistering and/or peeling skin should never be overlooked. These can be signs of a potentially severe reaction that urgently needs medical attention.
To find out more about treatment and support options, call Orlando Treatment Solutions
What Increases the Risk of Meloxicam Side Effects?
There are several factors which may increase the chances of having a complication(s).
- Age
- History of stomach ulcers or bleeding
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Asthma and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sensitivity.
- Current medications
- Alcohol use
- Pregnancy status
Drug interactions are also of significance. Meloxicam may interact with aspirin, other NSAIDs, blood-thinning drugs, cortisone drugs, and some antidepressants.
Therefore, inform your healthcare provider of all medicines (including over-the-counter pain relievers and supplements) you are taking.
Is Meloxicam Addictive?
Meloxicam is not an opioid medication, and it is not generally thought of as being addictive like some opioid pain medications.
But issues with medication use can still occur throughout the lifestyles of individuals. For instance, when people who have chronic pain start to suffer from worsening symptoms, they may resort to taking more than prescribed to protect themselves.
If you find that you need to increase dosage, need to take medicine more often than prescribed, need to take more than one type of pain medicine, or feel pain cannot be controlled without taking medicines, consult a health care provider.
Emotional distress can be intertwined with concerns about medication. Constant pain can interfere with sleeping, mood, relationships, and daily activities. Both physical and emotional needs can be included in a more comprehensive treatment program.
What Should You Do If You Experience Side Effects?
Avoid making an ‘all-or-nothing’ assumption regarding symptoms that are limited and indicate that treatment is to be ceased. Then, don’t discount potentially serious symptoms.
If symptoms are mild, check with your prescribing clinician or pharmacist for advice; especially if they persist or interfere with your day-to-day activities.
If you have symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, blood in your vomit, black stool, severe allergic reaction, or changes in your neurologic status, go to the emergency room right away.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus information on meloxicam provides additional medication safety information. There’s even info on dosing, cautions, interactions, and potential side effects in the Mayo Clinic meloxicam guide.
When Medication Concerns Affect Your Mental Health
Living with chronic pain can be exhausting. Pain can disrupt a person’s sleep, job, relationships, physical activity, and emotional well-being. Some start to use medicines or other substances significantly to manage.
Professional support may be beneficial if using the medicines is not working or if the pain has made you feel anxious and depressed, isolated, or have other emotional issues.
Orlando Treatment Solutions supports people who have substance abuse and mental health issues. For those who may find that a struggle with medication is part of a bigger battle, a simple way to begin may be to seek out a meeting for a discussion.
Meloxicam vs. Other Pain Relievers
The urge to compare medications is often expressed in terms of the drug’s “strength. Strength isn’t the only thing to take into account, though.
Although both meloxicam and ibuprofen are NSAIDs, they both have differing dosing regimens, pharmacologic profiles, indications, and profiles of potential risks and benefits. Don’t think that a higher milligram means more effective pain relief.
For instance, 15 mg of meloxicam isn’t immediately translatable to the equivalent amount of ibuprofen. They are both different medications, and there’s no easy milligram-to-milligram conversion that can/could be made by patients or colleagues.
If meloxicam is taken with other NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, it may be more likely to cause side effects.
Final Thoughts
Familiarizing yourself with the side effects of meloxicam can enable you to identify what you might expect and what should be urgently addressed. With careful use and as prescribed by a doctor, meloxicam can help relieve inflammation and pain that may result from arthritis.
Seek medical assistance immediately if your stomach pain is severe, you have black stool, blood in your vomit, chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or edema, a serious rash, or other worrying symptoms.
Sometimes people feel like they cannot manage their medications, or use of medications is linked to substance abuse, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. Sometimes people feel they are not alone in dealing with the management of medication. Orlando Treatment Solutions can help you discuss adequate support and treatment choices to make!
Orlando Treatment Solutions will be available to discuss the next steps towards a healthier and safer recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you take meloxicam daily?
Taking meloxicam daily exactly as prescribed may help control ongoing inflammation and arthritis symptoms. However, longer use can increase certain risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Regular medical monitoring may be appropriate.
Which has worse side effects, ibuprofen or meloxicam?
Neither medication is universally safer. Both are NSAIDs and can cause gastrointestinal, kidney, blood pressure, cardiovascular, and other problems. Individual risk depends on dose, duration, medical history, other medications, and personal health factors.
How long should you take meloxicam for inflammation?
The appropriate treatment duration depends on your condition, symptoms, response, and medical history. Meloxicam should generally be used exactly as prescribed, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest appropriate period.
What is the biggest side effect of meloxicam?
Serious stomach or intestinal bleeding is one of the major risks associated with meloxicam. NSAIDs can also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and other serious reactions. Seek medical attention for warning symptoms.
Why can’t you lie down after taking meloxicam?
There is not a universal rule that you cannot lie down after taking meloxicam. However, swallowing tablets with adequate fluid and following the product-specific instructions can help reduce swallowing or digestive discomfort. Follow your pharmacist’s instructions for your formulation.
Is 15 mg of meloxicam very strong?
For many adult formulations, 15 mg is at the upper end of the commonly recommended once-daily dose for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The appropriate dose varies by formulation and patient. Never increase your dose without medical direction.
What is a good replacement for meloxicam?
Possible alternatives include other NSAIDs, acetaminophen for certain types of pain, topical treatments, physical therapy, or other prescription options. The best replacement depends on your diagnosis, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks, kidney function, and other medications.
What happens if you stop meloxicam suddenly?
Meloxicam generally does not require a taper because it is not a corticosteroid or opioid. However, stopping it may allow the underlying pain and inflammation to return. Discuss the change with your healthcare provider before discontinuing prescribed treatment.
Why are doctors reluctant to prescribe meloxicam?
Doctors may be cautious because meloxicam, like other NSAIDs, can cause serious gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, cardiovascular complications, and drug interactions. They may consider a person’s medical history, age, other medications, dose, and expected treatment duration.
Which is stronger, 800 mg ibuprofen or 15 mg meloxicam?
There is no reliable milligram-for-milligram comparison. Ibuprofen and meloxicam are different NSAIDs with different dosing and duration of action. Neither should be considered automatically stronger based only on the number of milligrams.
Can I take meloxicam on an as-needed basis?
Whether meloxicam can be used occasionally depends on your prescription and medical situation. It is commonly prescribed once daily for certain inflammatory conditions. Do not change from scheduled to as-needed use without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Who should avoid taking meloxicam?
People with certain NSAID allergies, recent coronary bypass surgery, or particular heart, kidney, liver, stomach, or bleeding conditions may need to avoid or carefully limit meloxicam. Pregnancy can also affect whether it is appropriate. Medical guidance is essential.
How many ibuprofen equal 1 meloxicam?
There is no safe conversion such as “one meloxicam equals X ibuprofen tablets.” They are different drugs with different strengths and dosing schedules. Taking them together or substituting one for another should only be done with professional guidance.
What is the strongest anti-inflammatory painkiller?
There is no single strongest anti-inflammatory medication for everyone. Different NSAIDs and other treatments have different benefits and risks. The appropriate choice depends on the condition, pain severity, health history, other medications, and risk of complications.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medication risks vary from person to person. Do not start, stop, increase, decrease, or combine medications based solely on information in this article. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist about your individual situation. If you experience symptoms of a medical emergency, seek immediate emergency care.
