Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Dr P. E. Pancoast, MD
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Meloxicam (known by brand name Mobic®) is a type of painkiller that falls under the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).
NSAIDs decrease the production of certain body chemicals to prevent further inflammation and pain. They produce similar effects as corticosteroids (or steroids) but without as many side effects. Other examples of NSAIDS include ibuprofen (known by brand names Motrin® and Advil®) and naproxen sodium (known by brand name Aleve®).
Meloxicam is available as a tablet or liquid that are both taken orally. Clinicians will prescribe the drug based on weight. As weight gain or loss can affect the efficacy of the drug, doses can change accordingly.
You should never drink alcohol while taking meloxicam. Mixing alcohol and meloxicam can cause life-threatening effects including:
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Million
Estimated number of prescriptions for meloxicam in the United States.
Average
Total drug cost of meloxicam.
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Average
Out-of-pocket cost of meloxicam.
This particular prescription drug helps treat pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness in individuals suffering from osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder that attacks the body’s own tissues).
At daily doses of 7.5 to 15mg, meloxicam has been determined to be safe and effective in treating osteoarthritis.
Additionally, healthcare professionals may prescribe meloxicam for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis in children under 16) and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that impacts the spine). Children must be at least 2 years old before they can begin taking the NSAID.
To prevent life-threatening drug interactions, healthcare professionals may choose to not prescribe meloxicam to individuals taking:
It is recommended to seek medical advice for different prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs to avoid unwanted side effects when combined with meloxicam.
The following list describes health conditions that may exclude individuals from being prescribed meloxicam:
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Side effects of meloxicam may range from mild to serious.
The most common side effects include:
Some of the less common side effects include:
Should the following serious side effects occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately:
It is important to remember that taking NSAIDS like meloxicam can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Events like these can happen without warning even if individuals do not have any risk factors.
Individuals who are undergoing fertility treatment or women trying to become pregnant should not take meloxicam. The drug may affect ovulation (when the ovary releases an egg) or lower sperm count in men.
Lastly, individuals who take meloxicam for longer-than-average periods may have to undergo frequent medical tests to monitor possible unwanted adverse effects. For these people, the risk of a heart attack, blood clots, and stroke is even higher.
Taking meloxicam with alcohol can produce life-threatening health effects like upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Never take alcohol while taking meloxicam or any other NSAID.
Heavy drinking can put stress on the GI and liver and result in organ damage. When combined with meloxicam or any other NSAID, the risk of developing a stomach ulcer or gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) that leads to upper GI bleeding increases.
Older people have an increased risk of serious alcohol-medication interaction. As an adult ages, the body has more difficulty in metabolizing alcohol quickly. This means that alcohol stays in the body for a longer time and can continue interacting with the drug.
Also, because of drug interaction, drinking alcohol may cause unwanted side effects or intensify effects of meloxicam like breathing problems or heart failure.
Individuals may be at risk of overdose when combining meloxicam with alcohol or making a mistake with the medication.
It is essential to consult a healthcare professional before taking a different brand, strength, or form of this medication. The same applies to those who gain or lose weight. Doctors may find it necessary to change doses to accommodate the patient and avoid unintentional medication errors.
Symptoms of overdose include:
Weight gain is an uncommon but serious side effect of meloxicam. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience weight gain from meloxicam.
Meloxicam's half-life is approximately 15 to 20 hours. It can be detected on urine tests for up to five days after use.
Meloxicam is non-addictive and safe to take every day as prescribed by your physician and while under their care.
Meloxicam should be taken once a day according to your prescription. It typically doesn't matter if it is taken in the morning, afternoon, or night, as long as it is taken at the same time each day.
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