Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause pain, fever, and inflammation in the body.

Meloxicam is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints).

Meloxicam is also used to relieve the pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis that affects children) in children 2 years of age and older.

The Anjeso brand of this medicine is used to treat moderate to severe pain in adults.

Vivlodex is for use only in adults. Qmiiz ODT is for adults and children weighing at least 132 pounds (60 kilograms).

Meloxicam can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine.

Do not use this medicine 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.

Meloxicam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, 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 smoking and drinking alcohol as they also increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Take Meloxicam exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the lowest effective dose for your condition.

Meloxicam oral is taken by mouth.

Meloxicam injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of meloxicam. Avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.

Meloxicam doses are based on weight (especially in children and teenagers). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Store oral suspension, tablets or capsules at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
-Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 15 mg orally once a day in patients requiring additional analgesia
-Maximum dose: 15 mg orally once a day

Oral Capsules:
-Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 10 mg orally once a day in patients requiring additional analgesia
-Maximum dose: 10 mg orally once a day.

Use: For the relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis pain

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
-Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 15 mg orally once a day in patients requiring additional analgesia
-Maximum dose: 15 mg orally once a day.

Use: For the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

30 mg IV bolus (over 15 seconds) once a day

Comments:
-Median time to meaningful pain relief was 2 to 3 hours in clinical trials; a non-NSAID with a rapid onset may be needed; some patients may not experience adequate analgesia for the first 24-hours.
-The lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible consistent with individual treatment goals should be used.

Use: For the management of moderate-to-severe pain, alone or in combination with non-NSAID analgesics.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

2 years or older:
Oral Tablets and Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
Weight: 60 kg or greater: 7.5 mg orally once a day
-No additional benefit has been demonstrated with doses above 7.5 mg/day.

Comments:
-Oral formulations have not shown equivalent systemic exposure and are not considered interchangeable
-The oral tablets should not be used in children who weigh less than 60 kg.

Use: For the relief of signs and symptoms of pauciarticular or polyarticular course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Meloxicam can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). Meloxicam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal.

Meloxicam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

You should not use meloxicam if you are allergic to it, or if you ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure meloxicam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;

• a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

• ulcers or stomach bleeding;

• asthma;

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• liver disease; or

• fluid retention.

If you are pregnant, you should not take meloxicam unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

Meloxicam may cause a delay in ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). You should not take this medicine if you are undergoing fertility treatment, or are otherwise trying to get pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Meloxicam is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Avoid taking aspirin while you are taking meloxicam, unless your doctor tells you to.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to meloxicam (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to meloxicam (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.

Meloxicam may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);

• swelling or rapid weight gain;

• signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed, cold hands and feet; or

• kidney problems - little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common meloxicam side effects may include:

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn;

• diarrhea, constipation, gas;

• dizziness; or

• cold symptoms, flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ask your doctor before using meloxicam if you take an antidepressant. Taking certain antidepressants with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• cyclosporine;

• lithium;

• methotrexate;

• pemetrexed;

• sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate);

• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

• heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or

• steroid medicine (such as prednisone).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with meloxicam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

The peak concentrations of meloxicam occur within two hours for capsules and four to five hours for tablets. Because the drug appears to be recycled in the liver, another peak takes place at eight hours for capsules and 12 to 14 hours for tablets, after the initial dose.

It could take up to two weeks for you to feel the full benefits of this medicine. Use it regularly, as your doctor prescribes.

If meloxicam doesn’t work for you, there may be other alternatives to ease your pain.

Using meloxicam long-term can cause serious side effects.

Your doctor will probably want to start you on the lowest dose possible.

The dosage will depend on the severity of your medical condition, your age, your weight, and other factors.

It’s important that you only use the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribes. Certain brands work differently. Check your prescription label each time to make sure you’ve been given the correct product.

Sometimes, doctors may prescribe meloxicam for conditions that it’s not approved to treat. This is known as “off-label” use.

Meloxicam may be prescribed for the following:

• General pain
• Fever
• Menstrual cramp pain
• Gout