Meloxicam — what it is and how to use it safely

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) often prescribed for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other painful, inflamed joints. It reduces pain and swelling by blocking chemicals your body makes during inflammation. Meloxicam comes as tablets, oral suspension, and injections. You usually need a prescription—it's not an over-the-counter pill.

How to take meloxicam

Take meloxicam exactly as your doctor tells you. Most adults start at 7.5 mg once a day. If symptoms need stronger control, doctors may increase the dose up to 15 mg once daily. Take it with food or milk to cut down stomach upset. Swallow tablets whole; don’t crush or chew controlled-release forms.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. Don’t double up the next day to catch up. For long-term use, your doctor may check blood pressure, kidney function, and liver tests from time to time. Older adults and people with kidney problems often need lower doses or extra monitoring.

Side effects, warnings, and interactions

Common side effects are stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, dizziness, and headache. More serious risks include stomach or intestinal bleeding, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage. These risks rise with higher doses and longer use.

Don’t take meloxicam if you’ve had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs. Tell your doctor if you have a history of stomach ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney disease. Avoid meloxicam late in pregnancy—NSAIDs can harm the unborn baby and affect delivery.

Meloxicam interacts with many drugs. Avoid using it with other NSAIDs or high-dose aspirin. It can reduce the effect of blood pressure medicines like ACE inhibitors and diuretics, and it raises the risk of kidney problems when combined. Combining meloxicam with blood thinners (warfarin), SSRI antidepressants, or steroid pills increases bleeding risk. Lithium and methotrexate levels can also be affected. Always tell your pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you take.

Seek urgent care for warning signs: bloody or black stools, persistent belly pain, chest pain, sudden weakness, trouble breathing, yellowing of skin or eyes, or sudden swelling in hands/feet. Those symptoms can point to serious problems.

If you’re trying to manage chronic pain, ask your doctor about alternatives like acetaminophen for mild pain, topical NSAIDs, or non-drug options such as exercise, weight loss, and physical therapy. When buying meloxicam online, use a licensed pharmacy and avoid suspiciously cheap or no-prescription options. Ask questions, keep records of your blood tests, and work with your healthcare team to use meloxicam as safely as possible.

Meloxicam and Drug Tests: What You Should Know

As a blogger, I've come across some interesting information about Meloxicam and drug tests that I think you should know. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation, and while it's a prescription medication, it's not classified as a controlled substance. This means that it won't show up on standard drug tests as an illegal or prohibited substance. However, if you're concerned about potential interactions with other medications or substances, it's always a good idea to inform your doctor or employer. Overall, Meloxicam shouldn't cause any issues with drug testing, but it's always better to be informed and prepared.

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