Meloxicam

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. Meloxicam is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

Meloxicam comes as a tablet and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take meloxicam at the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take meloxicam exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Meloxicam may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li>
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gas</li>
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sore throat</li>
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cough</li>
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runny nose</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more meloxicam until you speak to your doctor:

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fever</li>
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blisters</li>
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rash</li>
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hives</li>
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itching</li>
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swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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pale skin</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
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unexplained weight gain</li>
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nausea</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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lack of energy</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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pain in the right upper part of the stomach</li>
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flu-like symptoms</li>
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cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine</li>
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back pain</li>
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difficult or painful urination</li></ul>Meloxicam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking meloxicam, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meloxicam, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), and quinapril (Accupril); cholestyramine (Questran); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); and methotrexate (Rheumatrex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, especially if you have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or kidney or liver disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking meloxicam.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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lack of energy</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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bloody, black, or tarry stools</li>
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vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds</li>
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difficulty breathing</li>
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seizures</li>
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coma</li></ul>