Is meloxicam a muscle relaxer?

Meloxicam is a type of drug called a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Doctors may prescribe meloxicam to treat:

• osteoarthritis in adults
• rheumatoid arthritis in adults
• juvenile idiopathic arthritis, also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, in some children

Meloxican is only available with a prescription from a doctor. It is a generic drug, but some forms of meloxicam come in brand-name versions, such as Mobic oral tablets.

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What kind of drug is meloxicam?

Meloxicam is an NSAID. It is commonly used to reduce pain, inflammation, stiffness, and joint pain due to certain types of arthritis. NSAIDs work by controlling the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances produced in response to illness or injury. They act like messengers that help regulate responses such as pain, inflammation, and fever.

Some people may confuse meloxicam with a muscle relaxer or narcotic, but these types of drugs work in different ways than NSAIDs. Meloxicam does not directly target muscles or affect the central nervous system like muscle relaxers or narcotics (also known as opioids) do.

Can I take meloxicam for a pulled muscle?

Meloxicam is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a pulled muscle. But it is possible that some of the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of NSAIDs like meloxicam could help ease pain from a pulled muscle.

Doctors often recommend rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) therapy combined with an over-the-counter (OTC) NSAID, like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or Aleve, as an effective treatment for pulled muscles. The main difference between meloxicam and OTC NSAIDs is that meloxicam is typically more potent and longer lasting. So it may have different side effects that require closer monitoring by a healthcare professional.

There may be cases where a doctor may prescribe meloxicam off-label to treat pain from a pulled muscle. 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 and the most effective treatment for a pulled muscle, talk with your doctor.

What kind of drug is best for muscle pain?

The recommended drug for treating muscle pain will depend on the cause and severity of the muscle pain.

OTC NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help with muscle pain by reducing inflammation in the affected muscles. But they may not be that effective if your muscle pain is due to exercise. Prescription NSAIDs like meloxicam may help with muscle pain when it is due to a condition like arthritis.

Prescription muscle relaxers like Flexeril can help with muscle pain by blocking pain receptors in the brain and nervous system. But these kinds of drugs are typically prescribed for muscle spasms associated with painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Because the best drug for muscle pain depends so much on individual factors, you should talk with your doctor to determine the recommended treatment for you.

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Summary

Although meloxicam may help with pain and inflammation related to a muscle injury, doctors don’t commonly prescribe it to treat muscle pain. It is in the NSAID drug class and is not a muscle relaxer.

If you are experiencing muscle pain, talk with your doctor. Depending on the source of your pain, they may recommend RICE therapy combined with an OTC NSAID or a stronger treatment.