Meloxicam

Meloxicam

Meloxicam or Moxicam is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve various kinds of pain and inflammation. It belongs to a class of medications called NSAIDs, which work by stopping the production of substances responsible for pain, fever, and inflammation.

Meloxicam Uses

Meloxicam tablets are used to manage pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with various conditions. Its primary uses include:

• Osteoarthritis: Meloxicam helps reduce pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joints.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Meloxicam is approved for treating the joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that results in chronic joint inflammation.
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): Moxicam tablets can be used to manage the symptoms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), also called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, in children aged two years and older. This condition causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in children.
• Other Uses: Although not approved for these conditions, meloxicam is sometimes prescribed off-label for:
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Dental or post-surgical pain
  • Some studies suggest meloxicam may help alleviate certain types of nerve-related pain.

How to Use Meloxicam

• Dosage Instructions
  • Take meloxicam precisely as your doctor prescribes, and do not exceed the recommended dose or take it more frequently than prescribed. Taking too much meloxicam can increase the risk of side effects.
• Administration Guidelines:
  • Swallow the capsules or tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chew them.
  • You can take meloxicam with or without food.
  • For oral disintegrating tablets, remove the tablet from the blister pack just before taking it. Place it on your tongue and allow it to dissolve before swallowing, with or without water.
  • Shake the oral liquid well before each use and measure the dose accurately using a marked measuring device.

Side Effects of Meloxicam Tablet

Like other medications, meloxicam can cause some side effects, ranging from mild to serious ones. 

• Common Side Effects: The more common side effects associated with meloxicam include:
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Indigestion or heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Itching or rash
• Serious Side Effects: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Stomach and intestinal problems
  • Liver damage
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Water retention or swelling
  • Skin Problems
  • Kidney Damage
  • Gastrointestinal side effects like abdominal pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, and nausea 

Precautions

Before taking meloxicam, you should be aware of several essential precautions to ensure your safety and minimise the risk of side effects.

• Allergic Reactions: Let your doctor know about allergies to meloxicam, aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Meloxicam may cause a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, including rapid or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, fainting, swelling of the face, eyelids, or throat, and hives.
• Cardiovascular Risks: Meloxicam may increase your risk of heart attack, blood clots, or stroke, especially if you already have heart or blood vessel disease or are using it for an extended period. 
• Gastrointestinal Risks: Meloxicam can cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, ulcers, or tears, even without warning signs. 
• Liver and Kidney Problems: Meloxicam may cause liver or kidney problems, especially with long-term use. Watch for signs such as pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, anorexia (loss of appetite), yellowish discolouration of the skin or eyes, dark-coloured urine, clay-coloured stools, swelling, or decreased urination. 
• Pregnancy: Using meloxicam during the later stages of pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. It is unknown if meloxicam passes into breast milk, so consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
• Fertility Concerns: Meloxicam may cause a delay in ovulation for women and decrease sperm count in men, potentially affecting fertility. 
• Other Precautions:
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco while taking meloxicam, as they can increase the possibility of stomach bleeding.
  • Meloxicam may cause dizziness, so avoid driving or operating machinery.
  • Limit sun exposure and use sunscreen, as meloxicam may increase your sensitivity to sunlight.
  • Older adults are susceptible to side effects, such as kidney problems, stomach bleeding, heart attack, and stroke.

How Meloxicam Works?

Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and antipyretic (fever-reducing) medication. Meloxicam inhibits the enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which are crucial for the synthesis of prostaglandins, responsible for inflammation, pain, and fever in the body.

By preferentially inhibiting COX-2 over COX-1, meloxicam reduces the production of prostaglandins involved in inflammation, pain, and fever while potentially causing less gastrointestinal irritation than non-selective NSAIDs.

Can I Take Meloxicam with Other Medicines?

Some drugs may interact with meloxicam and increase the risk of side effects or lower its effectiveness, including:

• Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants): Meloxicam may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood thinners.
• Aspirin and Other NSAIDs: Avoid taking meloxicam with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin, as this can increase the possibility of stomach ulcers and bleeding.
• Corticosteroids: Meloxicam may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects when taken with corticosteroids.
• Diuretics (Water Pills): Meloxicam may reduce the effectiveness of diuretics, leading to fluid retention and increased blood pressure.
• ACE Inhibitors and ARBs: Meloxicam may decrease the blood pressure-lowering effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure.
• Methotrexate: Meloxicam may increase the levels of methotrexate, leading to increased side effects.
• Lithium: Meloxicam may increase the levels of lithium, a medication used to treat bipolar disorder, potentially causing lithium toxicity.
• Cyclosporine: Meloxicam may increase the levels of cyclosporine (medication used to prevent organ transplant rejection), leading to increased side effects.
• Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs): Meloxicam may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with Serotonin Nor-epinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). These are used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
• Herbal Supplements: Certain herbal supplements, like ginkgo biloba, garlic, and ginger, may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with meloxicam.

Dosing Information

The appropriate dosage of meloxicam depends on several factors, such as the ailment being treated, age, weight, and individual response to the medication. Here are the typical dosing guidelines:

Usual Adult Dose

• Osteoarthritis: Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
  • Initial dose: 7.5 mg taken orally once a day
  • Maintenance dose: 15 mg taken orally once a day for patients requiring additional pain relief
  • Maximum dose: 15 mg taken orally once a day
• Oral Capsules:
  • Initial dose: 5 mg taken orally once a day
  • Maintenance dose: 10 mg taken orally once a day for patients requiring additional pain relief
  • Maximum dose: 10 mg taken orally once a day
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
  • Initial dose: 7.5 mg taken orally once a day
  • Maintenance dose: 15 mg taken orally once a day for patients requiring additional pain relief
  • Maximum dose: 15 mg taken orally once a day
• Severe Pain:
  • 30 mg intravenous (IV) bolus (over 15 seconds) once a day
  • Usual Paediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:
• Two years or older: Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
  • Weight: 60 kg or greater: 7.5 mg taken orally once a day
  • The oral tablets should not be used in children weighing less than 60 kg.

Conclusion

Meloxicam stands out as a powerful tool in managing pain and inflammation, offering relief for conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. Its ability to target COX-2 enzymes more selectively than COX-1 makes it a valuable option for those seeking effective pain management with potentially fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to some other NSAIDs. 

By staying informed about proper usage, potential side effects, and necessary precautions, you can make the most of meloxicam's benefits while minimising risks to your health.

FAQs

1. Is meloxicam a good pain reliever?

Yes, meloxicam is an effective pain reliever. It belongs to Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and is known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties. 

2. Does meloxicam help nerve pain?

While meloxicam is primarily used for treating pain and inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis, some studies suggest that it may also be beneficial for neuropathic pain (nerve-related pain).