What Are the Side Effects of Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meant to relieve pain. More specifically, this drug is often used to relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis and osteoarthritis, but it does come with some side effects. Many of the common side effects of meloxicam, including nausea, heartburn and fatigue, are mild. Some side effects involve abnormal bleeding, such as blood in the urine, stool or vomit. Other side effects of meloxicam, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains and weakness in one side of the body, are rather serious and require immediate medical attention.

This drug is often advised for pain relief because few patients experience problems with it aside from mild side effects that do not tend to require medical attention. For example, some people become dizzy and fatigued while taking meloxicam. It can also cause mild stomach problems, such as nausea, loss of appetite and heartburn, often followed by either diarrhea or constipation. Depression and headaches may also result from regular use of this drug. While immediate treatment for these side effects of meloxicam is rarely necessary, patients are advised to inform their doctor about these symptoms at their next appointment.

Some side effects of meloxicam involve unexpected bleeding, which should be reported to a doctor immediately. For example, some patients get a bloody nose or bruises that seem to appear for no reason. Other side effects that are cause for concern include stools that are black or bloody, and blood in the urine or vomit. While these side effects may not seem serious to many patients, they can indicate internal bleeding that needs to be evaluated and treated by a doctor as soon as possible.

While many side effects of meloxicam are mild, some are severe enough for most patients to need to seek emergency medical treatment right away. For example, difficulty breathing and a tight, painful feeling in the chest are both usually severe enough symptoms to warrant a trip to the hospital. Some patients also notice slurred speech and weakness on one side of the body, which can indicate a stroke. Those who take NSAIDS such as meloxicam for years are at higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack, so these side effects should be taken seriously by patients. Once these issues are treated and the drug is discontinued by the patient, the doctor can usually prescribe a different pain reliever.