Meloxicam is a medicine belongs to the groups of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). It has anti-inflammatory (relieves inflammation), analgesic (relieves pain) and antipyretic effect (lowers the body temperature).
It is often called as super aspirin. This medicine is used for short-term and long-term treatment of arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It also can be used to treat gout. This drug relieves the symptoms of arthritis such as pain and swelling of joints.
Warning and precautions
Do not use this medicament if:
•You have allergy to meloxicam or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as:
• aspirin,
•diclofenac,
•ibuprofen,
•naproxen,
•Celecoxib, etc.
•Pregnant or breastfeeding. Meloxicam may cause miscarriage. Your doctor will tell you about risks and benefits of this drug using.
•Heart problems. It can cause serious side effects such as heart attack and stroke.
•You have blood disorders. Meloxicam prevent aggregation of platelets which is required to stop the bleeding, and therefore use of this drug can be dangerous for patients who already have some type of bleeding (such as stomach or duodenal ulcers). Inform your doctor if you notice any signs of stomach ulcers such as blood in your stool, black stool, etc. If you are using meloxicam for long term you will often run blood tests.
•Stomach ulcer, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
•You have kidney or liver disorders.
•Breathing disorders such as asthma. It can cause bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the bronchi) making it difficult to breathe and can cause an asthma attack.
Do not use alcohol or cigarette while you are using meloxicam because it may increase the risk from side effects of this drug. It can cause photosensitivity (abnormal high sensitivity to sunlight) so you must avoid exposure to sunlight while you are using this drug or wear appropriate clothes.
Use and dosage
It is used with or without food once per day. To prevent stomach problems it is best to take during the meal. This drug should be taken with plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Do not use more than 15 mg meloxicam per day.
Usual dose for adult is 7.5 mg per day. Your doctor may increase the dose to 15 mg per day
Dose to treat arthritis to children is 0.125 mg/kg per day but no more than 7.5 meloxicam cannot be used to children younger than 2 years.
Overdose
Usual symptom of acute overdose includes:
•Lethargy
•Drowsiness
•Nausea
•Vomiting and stomach pain
These symptoms are usually relieved after symptomatic treatment in case of over dose you
Should stop using of meloxicam and contact your doctor.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
This medicine can harm to an unborn baby (FDA category D) so should not be used during pregnancy .it can affect fertility. So its used is not recommended in women who are planning pregnancy. Since the non-steroidal anti –inflammatory medicines are excreted in breast milk. It should avoid their use in nursing mother.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or use machines while you are taking meloxicam because may cause dizziness and drowsiness.
Use with other medicines(interaction)
Do not use following medicines while you are using meloxicam:
•Other NSAIDs such as, aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, celecoxib, etc. because it may increase risk of stomach bleeding
Oral anticoagulants used to treat blood clothing disorder such as warfarin, enoxaparin, dabigatran
• Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, etc. because it may increase risk from stomach bleeding.
• medicines used to treat hypertention,heart failure and other heart disorder such as:diuretics(hydrochlorthiazide,furosemide,bumetanide,spironalacton),ACEinhibitor(enalapril,quinapril, lisinopril, captopril)
•Beta blockers (propanol, atenolol, metoprolol, carvedilol etc. )
•Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine,
•Lithium used as mood stabilizing medicine. Meloxicam may increase the concentration of lithium in blood.
•Methotrexate used to treat cancer .it may increase the concentration of methotrexate in blood.
•Medicine used to treat diabetes such as glyburide.
Side effect
If any sign of allergy occurs such as, itching, swelling, trouble breathing, anaphylactic reaction
Which can be life threatening immediately call your doctor
Meloxicam may cause following side effect:
Nausea, vomiting, blood in your stool, stomach bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, bloating, dizziness, headache, swelling, sore throat, numbness, blurred vision.
If you have any concern or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health –care professional.