Everything You Know About Meloxicam

Meloxicam is a strong anti-inflammatory. So strong, men. This NSAID is so strong that you need a prescription for it! The good news? You'll choose between a tablet or liquid. Men, your doc's going to keep a close watch on you for this one. Yes, especially on your organs. This med comes with some risks, after all!

Men, you know you need meloxicam. It's a huge, huge treatment for arthritis. Of course, it's the big guns. Your doc is going to try at least one other arthritis medication first. Yes, they will! It'll often be topical creams for arthritis or OTC pain relief medications. JOint repair for arthritis is another major arthritis treatment. THey'll even recommend some natural remedies for arthritis, like physical therapy and exercise! These treatments are going to reduce your reliance on meloxicam for arthritis. But be ready, you've got to know how this pain med works!

How It Works

This med's a great NSAID, men. Meloxicam blocks 2 COX enzymes. Yes, two of them! These enzymes make prostaglandins. Some is fine, but too much? They trigger inflammation! Men, this one is so much stronger than the anti-inflammatories you get without a prescription. It really is! Men, you'll likely take 7.5 milligrams of this med a day. That's the average. The max? Yes, you guessed it: 15 milligrams a day!

You'll see the full effects of this med in up to 2 weeks, men. But guess what! Many, many men see some improvement in 24 to 72 hours after the first dose. Yes, the first dose! Men, most doses work in 30 minutes and really hit their peak in 4 hours.

Uses

Men, you already know it: meloxicam makes inflammation go away! It does this fast, so fast. This med's mostly used to help you when you've got arthritis. It's great for many different forms. Yes, men, this med tackles osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to the ground. The first one's common when you age, and the other is an immune system issue. But men, both cause joint pain and inflammation! The good news? Remember, this med takes care of those symptoms. It'll even treat ankylosing spondylitis! Hold your horses, though, men. This med doesn't get to all forms of arthritis. You'll need to talk to your doc and make sure you've got the right fighter for you!

Side Effects

Men, you're ready. On this med, you're going to deal with some common side effects. Expect an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness! Your blood pressure is likely going up too, so watch for that. Your doc needs to know when any of these happen to you. Yes, even when they're common! They'll go away over time, but you've still got let your doc know. They track this info to make sure the med is working right.

Obviously, there are rare and serious side effects too. Men, all meds have them! Keep a sharp eye out for kidney problems, heart failure, and easy bruising. Easy bleeding and weird weight gain are huge, huge red flags too. Huge ones! Severe fatigue is yet another major side effect, men. You'll also see mood changes, lots of headaches, and a stiff neck as severe side effects. Men, call your doc right away for all of these. They'll always get you the help you need! Liver damage is a rare, rare effect of this med. So rare! When it happens, men, call in the troops. Head to the emergency room! Do this for allergic reactions too.

Precautions

Guards up! Men, if you've got allergies, you need to be careful. Yes, you do. This is so, so important, especially when you've had reactions to other NSAIDs! You'll need to tell your doc about all your medical problems. Got asthma? This med isn't going to be the right choice. You'll need special instructions, at least! Men, absolutely tell your doc about liver disease, heart disease, and blood disorders when you've got any of them. They need to know this to keep you in prime condition!

Meloxicam, men, comes with a risk of kidney issues. You know that! When you don't have kidney disease or liver failure, you've got this risk under control. But when you have either one? Men, you need to put your guard up and find another med with your doc! Bready to drink lots of water when you're taking this med. So much water! Avoid driving, men. Your body needs to adjust first! You'll need to stop drinking alcohol too. It'll trigger your risk of stomach bleeding!

Medication Interactions

You need to bring in the big guns with your med list, men. Meloxicam interacts with over 300 other meds! This list is so important, so important. More important than ever! Tak about the meds, vitamins, and supplements with your doc. They'll make sure you're good to go in no time! These medication interactions will do many things, including increasing your huge, huge side effects. No one wants that!

Many, many ACE inhibitors interact with this med, men. So many, even lisinopril! Lithium and diuretics do as well. You'll have to avoid other NSAIDs, men, and anything that may cause stomach bleeding. Be ready to avoid sodium polystyrene sulfonate when you're taking the liquid meloxicam. But men, that's not all. Hold your horses on this med. Remember, it interacts with many, many others!