Meloxicam is a type of drug called a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by certain types of arthritis. Meloxicam comes in several different forms, including:
- oral tablet
- oral suspension
- oral capsule
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, like Mobic oral tablets.
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What symptoms does meloxicam treat?
Doctors typically prescribe meloxicam to treat symptoms like pain, inflammation, stiffness, and joint pain that are caused by certain types of arthritis, such as:
- osteoarthritis (OA)
- rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)
Meloxicam is an NSAID that works by controlling the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are produced in response to illness or injury. They act like messengers that help regulate responses like pain, inflammation, and fever. The main difference between meloxicam and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen is that meloxicam is stronger. It has longer-lasting effects than ibuprofen. This is why it is only available with a prescription.
Some people may think meloxicam is a muscle relaxer or opioid because it helps with pain. However, meloxicam works differently. It lowers pain and swelling by blocking prostaglandins. Muscle relaxers work by calming the nerves that tell your muscles to tighten. Opioids change how your brain feels and responds to pain. Meloxicam doesn’t affect the brain or muscles directly.
Meloxicam dosage
Your exact dosage of meloxicam will likely depend on your individual condition and health history. Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest effective dosage for the shortest amount of time.
The typical dosage of meloxicam is as follows:
- Meloxicam oral tablet
- OA and JA in adults: A starting dose of 7.5 milligrams (mg) taken once per day is recommended. This may be increased to 15 mg, taken once per day if needed.
- JRA in children: In children who weigh more than 60 kilograms (kg) or 132 pounds (lb), the recommended dose is 7.5 mg taken once per day.
- Meloxicam oral capsule
- OA and JA in adults: A starting dose of 5 mg taken once per day is recommended. The doctor may increase it to 10 mg taken once per day if needed. The maximum daily dose is 10 mg.
- JRA in children: The safety and effectiveness of meloxicam oral capsules in children has not been established.
- Meloxicam oral suspension
- OA and JA in adults: A starting dose of 7.5 milligrams (mg) taken once per day is recommended. This may be increased to 15 mg, taken once per day if needed.
- JRA in children: The typical dosage is 0.125 mg of meloxicam per kg of body weight (1 kg = 2.2 lb) taken once daily. The maximum daily dosage of meloxicam oral suspension in children is 7.5 mg per day.
It’s important to note that the dosages of different forms of meloxicam are not interchangeable with each other, even if the milligram strength is the same. This is because different forms of meloxicam are absorbed into the body differently.
Meloxicam side effects
Meloxicam may cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the more common side effects that have been reported in studies on meloxicam. Note that this list does not include all possible side effects.
These side effects are usually mild and should go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they feel more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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Get free cardSerious side effects from meloxicam can also occur, but they aren’t as common. If you have serious side effects from meloxicam, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. Some of meloxicam’s serious side effects may include:
- high levels of potassium in the blood
- kidney damage
- liver damage
- new or worsened high blood pressure
- risk of heart problems
- risk of digestive system problems
- serious skin reactions
- severe allergic reaction
It is important to know that meloxicam has a boxed warning for risk of heart problems and risk of digestive system problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Taking NSAIDs like meloxicam increases the risk of heart problems like heart attack and stroke. You should not take NSAIDs if you’ve ever had a coronary artery bypass graft surgery. NSAIDs also increase the risk of serious digestive system problems like ulcers and holes in the digestive tract. If you think you are experiencing any of these side effects, call your doctor right away.
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Summary
Meloxicam is an NSAID used to treat symptoms like pain, inflammation, stiffness, and joint pain caused by certain types of arthritis. It comes in several forms. Your dosage will depend on what form you take, but in general, your doctor will prescribe either 7.5 to 15 mg per day or 5 to 10 mg per day.
Meloxicam’s more common side effects include nausea, indigestion, and dizziness. It also has a boxed warning for more serious side effects like heart problems and serious digestive system problems.