Meloxicam oral tablet side effects

This article describes possible side effects of meloxicam oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for meloxicam. You can explore this overview article to learn more about meloxicam oral tablet, including the drug’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.

Meloxicam oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Mobic. Meloxicam also comes as a capsule and liquid suspension (kind of liquid mixture) that are swallowed. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warnings

Meloxicam has boxed warnings about the risk of serious digestive system problems and serious heart and blood vessel problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section below.

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More common side effects of meloxicam

Meloxicam oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of meloxicam oral tablet include:

• diarrhea
• flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or sore throat
• indigestion (upset stomach)
• mild infection, including upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold

Mild side effects of meloxicam

Meloxicam may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of meloxicam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• abdominal pain
• back pain
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• flatulence (gas)
• flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or sore throat
• headache
• indigestion (upset stomach)
• insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• joint pain
• mild infection, including upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold
• nausea and vomiting
• skin rash
• hair loss*
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section below.

Meloxicam oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of meloxicam

Meloxicam may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from meloxicam oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with meloxicam oral tablet.

Serious side effects of meloxicam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• swelling of the face, arms, or legs
• low level of red blood cells
• high blood potassium level
• liver problems, such as liver failure
• kidney problems, such as kidney failure
• high blood pressure
• severe skin reaction, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome 
• risk of serious digestive system problems*
• risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems*
• severe allergic reaction†

* Meloxicam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section below.

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Side effects of meloxicam in children

For children, doctors prescribe meloxicam oral tablet to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The drug is prescribed for this purpose in children of any age weighing at least 60 kilograms (kg), which is about 132 pounds (lb).

In studies of meloxicam oral tablet, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:

• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• fever
• headache
• vomiting

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking meloxicam oral tablet, talk with the child’s doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of meloxicam in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of meloxicam oral tablet.

Risk of serious digestive system problems

Meloxicam oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of serious digestive system problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In studies, serious digestive system problems were rare in people taking meloxicam oral tablet.

With digestive system problems, you may develop holes, tears, or bleeding in your intestines. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloody vomit, bloody stool, or dizziness.

Certain factors may increase the risk of digestive system problems with meloxicam oral tablet. These include:

• being age 65 years or older
• consuming alcohol or using tobacco (if applicable)
• taking certain other medications

Your doctor can tell you about specific factors that may apply to you.

Ways to manage

If any of the factors listed above apply to you, your doctor can recommend whether meloxicam oral tablet is a safe treatment option for your condition.

If you have symptoms of digestive system problems, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely advise you to stop taking meloxicam oral tablet. Your doctor may also recommend that you schedule an exam so they can decide whether treatment is needed for your symptoms.

If you have symptoms of digestive system problems that seem life threatening, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems

Meloxicam oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Meloxicam’s boxed warning also says the drug is contraindicated following heart bypass surgery due to an increased risk of stroke or heart attack. A contraindication is a factor or condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a drug due to a risk of harm.

In studies, serious heart and blood vessel problems were rare in people taking meloxicam oral tablet.

With heart and blood vessel problems, you may develop blood clots in your heart or blood vessels. These clots could lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Symptoms of a stroke may include:

• trouble speaking
• confusion
• weakness or numbness on one side of your face or in one arm or leg

Symptoms of a heart attack may include:

• shortness of breath
• nausea
• pain in your shoulder, neck, chest, or arm

Certain factors can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel problems with meloxicam oral tablet. These include:

• being age 65 years or older
• using tobacco (if applicable)
• having heart disease or high blood pressure
• recently having a heart attack or heart bypass surgery

Your doctor can tell you about specific factors that may apply to you.

Ways to manage

If any of the factors listed above apply to you, your doctor will likely prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

To reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, doctors will prescribe a low dose of meloxicam oral tablet. And they’ll prescribe this drug for the shortest amount of time needed to treat your condition. To learn more about meloxicam forms and doses, see this article.

If you have symptoms of heart or blood vessel problems, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Hair loss

In studies of meloxicam oral tablet, hair loss was rare in people taking the drug. This side effect is usually mild.

With hair loss, symptoms may include a widened hair part, bald patches, or loose hair.

Ways to manage

If you experience hair loss, tell your doctor. They can help determine whether meloxicam may be the cause of your hair loss. They can also recommend ways to manage it, such as avoiding harsh hair treatments or styling tools.

Allergic reaction

For some people, meloxicam oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect was rare in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to meloxicam oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Common questions about side effects of meloxicam

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of meloxicam oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is meloxicam safe for older adults? What side effects does it cause in older adults?

In general, meloxicam is considered safe for use in older adults (ages 65 years and older).

But keep in mind that older adults may have a higher risk of certain side effects with meloxicam. These include:

• kidney problems, such as kidney failure
• risk of serious digestive system problems*
• risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems*

Due to these risks, doctors will likely prescribe a lower dosage of meloxicam for older adults than for younger adults. To learn more about meloxicam’s forms and doses, see this article.

If you have questions about the safety of meloxicam for older adults, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Meloxicam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section below.

Can meloxicam cause weight loss or weight gain?

Yes, meloxicam may cause weight changes as a side effect. But weight loss and weight gain were rare in studies of the drug.

Keep in mind that meloxicam may cause swelling in your face, arms, or legs. And this side effect may lead to weight gain for some people.

If you notice weight changes while taking meloxicam, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause of your weight changes and suggest ways to manage it. Your doctor can also suggest options for maintaining a body weight that’s healthy for you.

Does meloxicam cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, meloxicam oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.

Examples of long-term side effects include:

• kidney problems, such as kidney failure
• liver problems, such as liver failure
• risk of serious digestive system problems*
• new or worsening high blood pressure
• worsening of existing heart failure

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of meloxicam may last.

* Meloxicam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section below.

Coupon for meloxicam

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You can refer to this article for details about the cost of meloxicam treatment.

Warnings for meloxicam

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking meloxicam oral tablet.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of serious digestive system problems and serious heart and blood vessel problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take meloxicam oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether meloxicam oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking meloxicam oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• asthma
• blood clotting disorders
• heart failure
• heart bypass surgery
• kidney or liver problems
• past allergic reaction to meloxicam

Meloxicam and pregnancy

Meloxicam oral tablet should not be taken from week 30 of pregnancy to birth. It’s not known whether the drug is safe to take earlier in pregnancy.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking meloxicam. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with meloxicam.

Meloxicam and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether meloxicam oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Meloxicam and alcohol

Meloxicam oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol. But it may be best to avoid or limit alcohol while you’re taking the drug.

This is because drinking alcohol while taking meloxicam can increase your risk of serious digestive system problems. And the drug has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of meloxicam in detail” section above.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe to consume during your treatment with meloxicam oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of meloxicam oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at high risk of serious digestive system problems or heart and blood vessel problems with meloxicam?
• Does my health history increase my risk of side effects from meloxicam?
• Will I need any blood tests to check for side effects while taking meloxicam?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.