Meloxicam for pain and inflammation

What is meloxicam?

Anti-inflammatory painkillers like meloxicam are also called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or sometimes just 'anti-inflammatories'. Meloxicam eases pain and swelling (inflammation) in long-term conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, but it may also be used for a shorter period of time in osteoarthritis.

Meloxicam works by blocking the effect of natural chemicals called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. These enzymes help to make other chemicals in the body, called prostaglandins. Some prostaglandins are produced at sites of injury or damage, and cause pain and inflammation. By blocking the effect of COX enzymes, fewer prostaglandins are produced, which means pain and inflammation are eased.

Before taking meloxicam

Some medicines such as meloxicam are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking meloxicam, it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si padece asma o cualquier otro trastorno alérgico.

• Si ha tenido alguna vez una úlcera de estómago o de duodeno, o si padece un trastorno inflamatorio intestinal como la enfermedad de Crohn o la colitis ulcerosa.

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• Si tiene problemas hepáticos o renales.

• Si padece una afección cardiaca o un problema vascular o circulatorio.

• Si tiene la tensión alta.

• Si tiene niveles elevados de azúcar o colesterol en sangre.

• If you are a smoker.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido problemas de coagulación de la sangre.

• If you have systemic lupus erythematosus. This is an inflammatory condition which is also called lupus or SLE.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a cualquier otro AINE (como aspirina, ibuprofeno, diclofenaco e indometacina), o a cualquier otro medicamento.

How to take meloxicam tablets

• Before you start taking meloxicam, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about the tablets and provide a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking them.

• Take meloxicam exactly as your doctor has told you to. The usual dose is one tablet a day. You will be prescribed either 7.5 mg tablets or 15 mg tablets.

• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.

• Take each dose with a snack or just after eating a meal and drink plenty of water whilst on meloxicam.

• If your doctor has prescribed melt-in-the-mouth (orodispersible) tablets:

  • Moisten your mouth first, taking a sip of water if needed.

  • Remove the tablet from the packaging, taking care not to moisten it.

  • Place the tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve slowly. This should take about five minutes.

  • After five minutes drink a large glass of water and swallow the dissolved tablet.

  • Do not chew the tablet or swallow it before it has dissolved.

• Try to take your doses at the same time each day, as this will help you to remember to take them.

• If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember along with something to eat. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Your doctor will try to prescribe you the lowest dose for the shortest time to reduce the risk of side-effects. Your doctor may also want to prescribe another medicine for you to take along with meloxicam to protect your stomach from irritation.

• Procure acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá comprobar su evolución.

• If you have asthma, symptoms such as wheeze or breathlessness can be made worse by anti-inflammatories like meloxicam. If this happens to you, you should stop taking the tablets and see your doctor as soon as possible.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with an anti-inflammatory like meloxicam.

• Si va a someterse a una operación o a un tratamiento dental, comunique a la persona que lleve a cabo el tratamiento qué medicamentos está tomando.

Can meloxicam cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, meloxicam alongisde most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience any of the following uncommon but possibly serious symptoms, stop taking meloxicam and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• Si tiene dificultades respiratorias, como sibilancias o disnea.

• Si presenta cualquier signo de reacción alérgica, como hinchazón alrededor de la boca o la cara, o erupción cutánea con picor.

• If you pass blood or black stools, vomit blood, or have tummy (abdominal) pains.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse a este medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store meloxicam

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• Keep the tablets in their original packaging.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos