Uses

Meloxicam is used to help relieve moderate to severe pain.

Meloxicam is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking your body's production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps to decrease swelling or pain.

How To Use

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.

This medication is given by injection into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Meloxicam does not work right away. If quick pain relief is needed, a fast-acting non-NSAID pain medication may be used with this medication as directed by your doctor.

Drink plenty of fluids while using this medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

To reduce your risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, use this medication for the shortest possible time. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed.

Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

Tell your doctor if your pain lasts or gets worse.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Dizziness and upset stomach may occur. If either of these effects lasts or gets worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• easy bruising/bleeding
• headache that is severe or doesn't go away
• mental/mood changes
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine)
• unexplained stiff neck
• symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain)

This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including:

• nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
• stomach/abdominal pain
• yellowing eyes/skin
• dark urine

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• fever
• swollen lymph nodes
• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using meloxicam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin or other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs)
• blood disorders (such as anemia)
• bleeding/clotting problems
• growths in the nose (nasal polyps)
• heart disease (such as previous heart attack)
• high blood pressure
• liver disease
• stroke
• stomach/intestinal/esophagus problems (such as bleeding, heartburn, ulcers)

Kidney problems can sometimes occur with the use of NSAID medications, including meloxicam. Problems are more likely to occur if you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney disease, are an older adult, or if you take certain medications (see also Drug Interactions section). Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor to prevent dehydration and tell your doctor right away if you have any unusual change in the amount of urine.

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco may increase your risk for stomach bleeding, especially when combined with this medicine. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

Older adults may be at greater risk for stomach/intestinal bleeding, kidney problems, heart attack, and stroke while using this drug.

Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. This medication may harm an unborn baby and cause problems with normal labor/delivery. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy from 20 weeks until delivery. If your doctor decides that you need to use this medication between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. You should not use this medication after 30 weeks of pregnancy.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some of the products that may interact with this drug are:

• aliskiren
• ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril)
• angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as losartan, valsartan)
• cidofovir
• lithium
• methotrexate (high-dose treatment)
• "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide)

This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when used with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, or ketorolac). These drugs are similar to meloxicam and may increase your risk of side effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, extreme drowsiness/dizziness.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, liver/kidney function, blood pressure) may be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor tells you to.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.