Meloxicam
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the oxicam class, supplied as tablets in 7.5 mg and 15 mg strengths. It is used to relieve the pain, swelling and stiffness of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Meloxicam works by reducing the production of prostaglandins, the chemical messengers behind inflammation and pain signalling.
Medicine containing Meloxicam
Key points
- Relief usually begins within 30 to 60 minutes of taking a tablet, and the effect lasts around 24 hours.
- Meloxicam is not recommended for children.
- It should not be used by anyone with an active stomach or intestinal ulcer, severe kidney failure, severe liver impairment, or a known hypersensitivity to meloxicam.
What meloxicam is used for
Meloxicam is taken for long-term joint conditions in which inflammation causes pain and limits movement. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage covering the joints wears down and the joint becomes stiff and tender. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, producing swelling that can affect several joints at once. Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that mainly involves the spine and the joints of the pelvis.
In each of these conditions meloxicam reduces inflammation and the pain that comes with it. It does not repair damaged cartilage or alter the course of the disease, so it is used to make movement and daily activity more comfortable rather than to treat the underlying cause.
How meloxicam works
The body makes prostaglandins with the help of enzymes called cyclooxygenase. Meloxicam inhibits these enzymes, with a preference for COX-2, which lowers prostaglandin synthesis and in turn reduces inflammation and the perception of pain.
Relief typically starts within 30 to 60 minutes of taking a tablet, and a dose covers about 24 hours. Because the effect is on the inflammatory response rather than on joint structure, stiffness and tenderness return once treatment stops.
Meloxicam tablets
MayChemist supplies meloxicam tablets in 7.5 mg and 15 mg strengths, in a single tablet formulation. Tablets are the only form described here. Generic meloxicam contains the same active ingredient as the originator product, also known by the brand name Mobic, and is used for the same joint conditions.
When comparing products, the strength of meloxicam per tablet matters more than the name on the box, since the amount has to match what the doctor intended. Meloxicam sits within the wider group of pain management medicines. Orders are prepared by pharmacy partners in India and shipped to Malaysia in discreet packaging.
Safety
Meloxicam should not be taken by people with an active gastrointestinal ulcer, severe renal failure, severe hepatic impairment, or hypersensitivity to meloxicam. Anyone with cardiovascular disease should be cautious, and the medicine should be stopped if a rash appears. Taking it with food reduces stomach upset.
Common effects include dyspepsia, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Oedema, headache, dizziness and anaemia are also reported. Serious reactions need immediate medical attention: gastrointestinal perforation, myocardial infarction, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Meloxicam interacts with aspirin, warfarin, lithium and diuretics. It is contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy, and breastfeeding should be avoided unless a doctor specifies otherwise. It is not recommended for children.
What the sources say
- NSAIDs carry a boxed warning that they raise the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. (DailyMed)
- That risk can appear early in treatment and may grow the longer the medicine is used. (DailyMed)
- Meloxicam must not be used during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. (DailyMed)
Further reading
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