Guide To Understanding Meloxicam
Meloxicam is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. It is available as a tablet or liquid! Doctors need to monitor patients on this medication carefully. They have to watch their organ function, because this medication leads to problems with some organs when individuals take it for long periods. All patients must read the medication guide before they start taking meloxicam!
Meloxicam is a major treatment for arthritis. However, doctors often prescribe at least one other arthritis medication first! This often means over-the-counter pain relief medications and topical creams for arthritis. Natural remedies for arthritis, such as exercise and physical therapy, are also recommended. Patients will often undergo joint repair for arthritis first as all. These arthritis treatments reduce a patient's need for meloxicam, since it is a strong medication! However, patients still benefit from understanding how meloxicam for arthritis works!
How It Works
Meloxicam blocks two different enzymes that contribute to the production of prostaglandins. These lipids are what trigger inflammation! This medication is stronger than over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Most patients take 7.5 milligrams of this medication daily. In fact, that is the maximum dose for children! Adults can take up to fifteen milligrams once a day.
This medication takes up to two weeks for the full effects to occur. However, some patients will notice that their symptoms improve twenty-four to seventy-two hours after their first dose! Typically, each dose begins to work in thirty minutes. However, it will reach its peak four hours after patients take it. This medication's half-life is between fifteen to twenty hours.
Uncover the uses for this medication next.
Uses
Meloxicam reduces inflammation in the body! It is typically used to treat various forms of arthritis. Examples of the forms it treats include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These are the two most common ones! Osteoarthritis means cartilage has broken down. A patient's bones rub together! Rheumatoid arthritis is the autoimmune form, where the joint lining is attacked.
Both types cause issues such as joint pain and inflammation. Swollen, stiff, and tender joints are also common. Thankfully, this medication treats all of these symptoms! This medication does treat other types of arthritis, but not all of them. Thus, patients must speak to their doctor about this medication first.
Reveal the side effects next!
Side Effects
This medication has several common side effects. Examples include diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea! Patients also deal with an upset stomach on this medication. Doctors need to know when patients experience these side effects, even though they are common and mild. The patient's pharmacist needs to be informed as well! This medication often increases a patient's blood pressure too. They need to be monitored because of this!
This medication also has rare, but serious side effects. Heart failure, unusual weight gain, and kidney issues are examples! Patients also experience easy bruising and bleeding. Abnormal tiredness happens as well. Mood changes, stiff neck, and frequent headaches are other severe side effects. Patients need to call their doctor about all of these immediately! Liver disease and damage are rare, but they do occur as side effects of this medication. They are life-threatening for many patients who deal with them! Thus, patients must call for emergency attention. A severe allergic reaction also requires this call! Thankfully, that side effect is also a rare one.
Get the details on the precautions for this medication next.
Precautions
Patients with allergies need to be cautious about this medication. They have to talk to their doctor first, especially when their allergy is related to other anti-inflammatories! In fact, they need to discuss their complete medical history. Asthma patients are often unable to take this medication! It is also unsafe for many patients with heart disease, blood disorders, and liver disease. When these patients have to take it regardless, doctors will give special instructions!
Meloxicam also carries a risk of kidney problems! This risk is manageable for most patients. However, it is much higher when patients already have kidney disease or liver failure. Older patients are at an increased risk as well! Patients need to drink more water, as this medication is dehydrating. They also need to avoid driving for the first few weeks. Their body needs time to adjust to the medication! Alcohol and tobacco increase the risk of stomach bleeding when patients take this medication. Thus, they need to be avoided!
Continue reading to learn about the medication interactions next.
Medication Interactions
Meloxicam interacts with over three hundred medications! This is why patients must give a current medication list to their doctor. It must have vitamins and supplements on it as well! Doctors will use this list to avoid medication interactions, which often increase the risk of side effects.
Lisinopril and other ACE inhibitors result in a major interaction with meloxicam. Other major interactions exist with diuretics, lithium, and angiotensin II receptor blockers. Patients need to avoid taking meloxicam with other medications that increase their risk of bleeding. This includes other anti-inflammatories! In addition, sodium polystyrene sulfonate causes a severe interaction with the liquid form of meloxicam.