An NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)
Meloxicam
A once-daily NSAID that eases joint pain, swelling and stiffness in arthritis, with the usual NSAID risks to the stomach, kidneys and heart.
What is Meloxicam?
Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory painkiller (NSAID) used to relieve the pain, swelling and stiffness of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is usually taken once a day with food, and like all NSAIDs it can irritate the stomach and affect the kidneys and heart, so it is normally used at the lowest helpful strength for the shortest time.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Meloxicam — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). In the UK it is licensed to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in rheumatic conditions — osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis — rather than as a general-purpose painkiller for acute or muscle pain. It is available as a generic medicine and was originally sold under the brand name Mobic.
How it works
Meloxicam blocks enzymes called cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which the body uses to make prostaglandins. Prostaglandins drive pain, swelling and inflammation, so reducing them relieves symptoms. Because these same chemicals also protect the stomach lining and help maintain blood flow to the kidneys, blocking them is what gives NSAIDs their typical side effects.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and now widely available in the UK as generic meloxicam..
Meloxicam is an enolic-acid NSAID developed by Boehringer Ingelheim in the 1990s and used in the UK to ease the pain and inflammation of arthritis.
What it treats
Conditions Meloxicam is used for
Practical use
How to take Meloxicam
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it once a day, ideally at the same time each day.
- Always take it with or just after food, or a snack, to reduce stomach irritation.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water; do not crush or chew it.
- Use the lowest strength that controls your symptoms for the shortest time needed.
- If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one as usual; never take two together to catch up.
- Do not take other anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) at the same time unless a doctor advises it.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Meloxicam
Advantages
- Convenient once-daily dosing.
- Effective at relieving the pain, swelling and stiffness of arthritis.
- Available cheaply as a generic medicine across the UK.
- Useful when paracetamol alone is not enough for inflammatory joint pain.
Disadvantages
- Can irritate the stomach and cause ulcers or bleeding, especially in older people.
- May raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly with long-term use.
- Can reduce kidney function and cause fluid retention.
- Not suitable for many people with heart, kidney, stomach or blood-pressure problems.
- Treats symptoms only; it does not slow the underlying disease.
Practical use
Good to know
Meloxicam is taken once a day, which some people find more convenient than NSAIDs that need several doses. It is best taken with or just after food to protect the stomach, and it is meant for symptom relief rather than curing the underlying arthritis.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a stomach or duodenal ulcer, or bleeding from the gut.
- Anyone who has had an asthma attack, wheezing, hives or swelling after aspirin or another NSAID.
- People with severe heart failure, poorly controlled blood pressure or significant kidney or liver disease.
- Women in the later stages of pregnancy; discuss with a doctor if pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Older people and those who are dehydrated, who are at higher risk of side effects.
Monitoring
- Blood pressure, especially if you already have hypertension.
- Kidney function and a full blood count with longer-term use.
- Watch for signs of stomach bleeding such as black stools or stomach pain.
- Review the need to continue regularly to keep treatment as short as possible.
Side effects
- Indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea or diarrhoea.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Fluid retention causing swollen ankles or raised blood pressure.
- Serious but less common: stomach bleeding (black stools or vomiting blood), and rarely heart attack, stroke or a severe allergic reaction.
- Seek urgent help for severe stomach pain, black or bloodstained stools, breathlessness, or a widespread skin rash.
Key interactions
- Other NSAIDs and aspirin, which add to the risk of stomach bleeding.
- Blood thinners and anticoagulants such as warfarin, apixaban or clopidogrel, which raise bleeding risk.
- Blood-pressure medicines including ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics (the 'triple whammy' can harm the kidneys).
- Steroids and SSRI antidepressants, which add to stomach-bleeding risk.
- Lithium and methotrexate, whose levels can rise; some diabetes medicines may also be affected.
Available as: Tablets and orodispersible tablets that dissolve on the tongue.
Answers
Meloxicam: frequently asked questions
Should I take meloxicam with food?
Yes. Take it with or just after food or a snack to lower the chance of stomach irritation and indigestion.
Can I take meloxicam with ibuprofen?
No. You should not combine meloxicam with other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, as this greatly increases the risk of stomach bleeding and kidney problems.
Is meloxicam safe for my heart?
Like all NSAIDs, meloxicam can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially with long-term use or if you have heart problems. Your doctor will weigh this up before prescribing it.
How long does meloxicam take to work?
Some pain relief may come within hours, but the full anti-inflammatory effect can take a few days of regular use to build up.
Can I drink alcohol while taking meloxicam?
Occasional light drinking is usually fine, but heavy or regular drinking adds to the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding, so it is best kept to a minimum.
The wider class
About NSAIDs
Meloxicam belongs to the nsaids class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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