What is meloxicam?
Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Meloxicam works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Meloxicam is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.
Meloxicam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about meloxicam?
This medicine may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use meloxicam just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking meloxicam, especially in older adults.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Medicines similar to meloxicam are contained in many combination medicines. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking meloxicam?
Do not use meloxicam just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
This medicine may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term.
This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking meloxicam, especially in older adults.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to meloxicam, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
To make sure you can safely take meloxicam, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
liver or kidney disease,
a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;
asthma;
polyps in your nose; or
if you smoke.
FDA pregnancy category D. Taking meloxicam during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using meloxicam.
Meloxicam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.