Meloxicam is a medication often prescribed to manage pain and inflammation, common symptoms associated with various conditions, including shoulder pain. This discomfort can arise from injuries, arthritis, or other inflammatory processes affecting the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues. This article provides general information about meloxicam, including its mechanism of action, administration, potential side effects, and important safety considerations.
How Meloxicam Works
Meloxicam is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Its primary function involves inhibiting specific enzymes known as cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are crucial for the body’s inflammatory response. There are two main types: COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 enzymes are involved in maintaining normal bodily functions, such as protecting the stomach lining and supporting kidney function.
Meloxicam primarily acts as a selective COX-2 inhibitor. This means it largely targets COX-2 enzymes, which are produced mainly at sites of inflammation, pain, and fever. By blocking COX-2, meloxicam reduces the production of prostaglandins, chemical compounds that promote inflammation and pain. This selective action helps to alleviate pain and inflammation in conditions like shoulder pain, while potentially reducing some gastrointestinal side effects associated with NSAIDs that inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2.
Administering Meloxicam for Shoulder Pain
Meloxicam is a prescription medication. For adults, typical dosages for conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, which can manifest as shoulder pain, usually start at 7.5 milligrams (mg) once daily. Depending on an individual’s response and pain severity, a doctor may increase the dose up to a maximum of 15 mg once per day.
Meloxicam can be taken by mouth as a tablet, capsule, or oral suspension. While it can be taken with or without food, administering it with food or milk may help reduce stomach upset. Taking the medication at the same time each day can help maintain consistent levels in the body. A healthcare provider determines the duration of treatment for acute shoulder pain, considering the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary period.
Potential Side Effects
Meloxicam can cause side effects. Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Headaches and dizziness are also frequently reported.
More serious side effects require immediate medical attention. Meloxicam carries a risk of serious gastrointestinal problems, including stomach ulcers and bleeding, which can occur without warning and may be fatal. Symptoms such as severe stomach pain, black or tarry stools, or vomiting blood that resembles coffee grounds warrant urgent medical evaluation.
Meloxicam can also increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, especially with long-term use or in individuals with existing heart conditions. Signs of these events include chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness, or slurred speech. Kidney problems, indicated by symptoms like decreased urination, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, and unusual weight gain, are also possible.
Important Safety Information
Meloxicam should not be used by individuals with a known allergy to meloxicam or to aspirin and other NSAIDs, as this could trigger severe allergic reactions. It is also contraindicated for pain management immediately before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Patients with severe kidney or liver disease, advanced heart failure, or a history of recent gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers may also be advised against using meloxicam.
Meloxicam can interact with other medications. Concurrent use with blood thinners like warfarin can elevate the risk of bleeding. Taking meloxicam with certain blood pressure medications, including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics, may reduce their effectiveness or increase the risk of kidney problems. Other interactions include corticosteroids, which can increase the risk of stomach ulcers, and lithium or methotrexate, as meloxicam can raise their levels in the body.
Pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, should avoid meloxicam due to potential harm to the unborn baby, including premature closure of a fetal heart vessel. The effects of meloxicam in nursing infants are not fully established, and its use should be carefully considered with a healthcare provider.