Meloxicam for pain and inflammation

What is meloxicam?

Analgésicos anti-inflamatórios 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 artrite reumatoide e espondilite anquilosante, but it may also be used for a shorter period of time in osteoartrite.

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.

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:

• Se você tem asma ou qualquer outro distúrbio alérgico.

• Se você já teve uma úlcera no estômago ou duodenal, ou se você tem um distúrbio inflamatório intestinal, como a doença de Crohn ou colite ulcerativa.

• Se você está grávida, tentando ter um bebê ou amamentando.

• Se você tiver problemas no fígado ou nos rins.

• Se você tem uma condição cardíaca ou um problema com seus vasos sanguíneos ou circulação.

• Se você tem pressão alta.

• Se você tem níveis elevados de açúcar no sangue ou colesterol.

• If you are a smoker.

• If you have ever had blood clotting problems.

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

• Se você estiver tomando qualquer outro medicamento. Isso inclui qualquer medicamento que você esteja tomando e que esteja disponível para compra sem receita médica, bem como medicamentos fitoterápicos e complementares.

• Se você já teve uma reação alérgica a qualquer outro AINE (como aspirina, ibuprofeno, diclofenaco e indometacina), ou a qualquer outro medicamento.

• 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.

• 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.

• Tente manter suas consultas regulares com seu médico. Isso é para que seu médico possa verificar seu progresso.

• 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.

• Se você for se submeter a uma operação ou tratamento dentário, informe à pessoa que está realizando o tratamento quais medicamentos você está tomando.

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.

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

• Se você tiver alguma dificuldade respiratória, como chiado ou falta de ar.

• If you have any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling around your mouth or face, or an itchy skin rash.

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

Se você sentir quaisquer outros sintomas que acha que podem ser devido a este medicamento, fale com seu médico ou farmacêutico.

• Mantenha todos os medicamentos fora do alcance e da vista das crianças.

• Armazene em local fresco e seco, longe de calor e luz diretos.

• Keep the tablets in their original packaging.