Meloxicam

Uses of Meloxicam

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. However, this medicine does not cure arthritis and will only help you as long as you continue to take it.

Precautions and Warnings

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child’s progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Meloxicam may cause bleeding in your stomach or bowels. This problem can happen without warning signs. This is more likely to occur if you or your child have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years of age, are in poor health, or are using certain other medicines (eg, steroids, blood thinner).

Liver problems may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness, clay-colored stools, dark urine, decreased appetite, fever, headache, itching, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, skin rash, swelling of the feet or lower legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, troubled breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Meloxicam may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients who are allergic to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in skin color of the face, very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse, hive-like swellings on the skin, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency help at once. Ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital emergency room. Call an ambulance, lie down, cover yourself to keep warm, and prop your feet higher than your head. Stay in that position until help arrives.

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you or your child are using this medicine.

Using this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause a delay in ovulation for women and may decrease sperm count in men, which can affect their ability to have children. If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have unexplained weight gain or edema (fluid retention or body swelling) with this medicine.

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis:

-Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 15 mg orally once a day in patients requiring additional analgesia
-Maximum dose: 15 mg orally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

30 mg IV bolus (over 15 seconds) once a day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

2 years or older:
Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
Weight: 60 kg or greater: 7.5 mg orally once a day
-No additional benefit has been demonstrated with doses above 7.5 mg/day.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn;
• diarrhea, constipation, gas;
• dizziness; or
• cold symptoms, flu symptoms.