Mobic: Meloxicam

What is Mobic (meloxicam)?

Mobic is a prescription-only medication used to treat pain and inflammation. It is a branded version of meloxicam.

It belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

It works by inhibiting the formation of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation — prostaglandins.

Mobic is available as an oral tablet, disintegrating tablet, or liquid suspension.

What is Mobic used to treat?

Mobic is a pain medication that can help with the symptoms of osteoarthritis (joint deterioration caused by wear and tear) and rheumatoid arthritis (swelling in the lining of the joint).

Mobic is sometimes used to treat ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine).

The medication may also be prescribed for children over the age of two with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a form of arthritis that affects young people).

How do you take Mobic?

Read the manufacturer’s printed information booklet inside the carton before taking Mobic. The booklet will tell you more about the medication and detail any possible adverse effects.

Mobic tablets come in the following strengths: 7.5mg and 15mg.

Your doctor will usually tell you to take a Mobic tablet once per day¹. Take the tablet whole with a glass of water and don’t lie down for 10 minutes. You can take your dose with a snack or meal to avoid an upset stomach.

If you are taking the liquid suspension, shake the bottle well and measure your dose using a special medical measuring device — not a household spoon.

If your doctor prescribed disintegrating Mobic tablets, first moisten your mouth with water, then remove the tablet from the box without wetting it. Let the pill melt slowly on your tongue for a maximum of five minutes before swallowing it with a glass of water. Do not chew or swallow the pill until it dissolves.

Take Mobic at the same time every day to help yourself remember to take your dose.

Seeing results

It may take up to two weeks² for you to experience Mobic’s full effects.

To get the most out of this drug, use it on a regular basis. Keep in mind that you should take it at the same time each day. If your condition gets worse, tell your doctor immediately.

Potential side effects of Mobic

Mobic can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Mobic.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with Mobic include:

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Indigestion or heartburn

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Itching or rash

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Mobic can also cause serious side effects. Seek urgent medical care if you develop any of the symptoms described below.

Heart attack

Symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Trouble breathing

• Cold sweats

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or the area above your belly button

Stroke

Symptoms can include:

• Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg on one side of your body

• Sudden confusion

• Trouble speaking or understanding speech

• Vision problems in one or both eyes

• Trouble walking or loss of balance or coordination

• Dizziness

• Severe headache with no other cause

Stomach and intestinal problems, such as bleeding, ulcers, or tearing

Symptoms can include:

• Severe stomach pain

• Vomiting blood

• Bloody stools

• Black, sticky stools

Liver damage

Symptoms can include:

• Dark urine or pale stools

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Not wanting to eat

• Pain in your stomach area

• Yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes

What You Need To Know About High Blood Pressure

Increased blood pressure

High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms unless it’s extremely high. Symptoms of extremely high blood pressure can include:

• Dull headache

• Dizzy spells

• Nosebleeds

Water retention or swelling

Symptoms can include:

• Rapid weight gain

• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

• Skin problems, such as blistering, peeling, or red skin rash

Kidney damage

Symptoms can include:

• Changes in how much or how often you urinate

• Pain with urination

• Fatigue

• Blood in your urine 

Long-term use of Mobic

Long-term use of this drug may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health problems. Be especially careful if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of Mobic before you start taking it regularly for a long period of time.

Missed doses

Take a missed dose of Mobic as soon as you remember. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule.

Don’t take two doses at once or too close together because this may lead to an overdose and unpleasant or serious side effects.

Overdoses

Potential side effects of Mobic overdose include:

• Drowsiness

• Nausea

• Lethargy

• Vomiting

• Stomach ache

• Bloody or tarry stools

• Shortness of breath

• Seizures

• Coma

If you think you or someone else has taken too much Mobic, seek urgent medical care.

What to discuss with your doctor before taking Mobic

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Mobic (meloxicam) or any of its ingredients.

You should also make your doctor aware if you are allergic to any other drugs, including:

• Sorbitol

• Aspirin

• Other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, or others)

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the following health conditions:

• Asthma, especially if you have a stuffy or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the nose lining)

• Heart failure

• Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, want to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding a child.

Tell your doctor that you are taking meloxicam if you are about to have surgery, including dental surgery.

If you have fructose intolerance (a genetic disorder in which the body lacks the protein required to break down fructose, a fruit sugar present in some sweeteners such as sorbitol), you should be aware that the oral Mobic solution contains sorbitol. If you have fructose intolerance, tell your doctor.

Stopping Mobic

Talk to your doctor about the best way to stop taking Mobic.

Some people experience stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea when stopping Mobic treatment too quickly. These problems can be severe.

Your doctor may recommend decreasing the amount of Mobic you take slowly before stopping completely to prevent these adverse effects.

Don’t stop taking Mobic without the guidance of your doctor.

Mobic and pregnancy

Using Mobic throughout your third trimester of pregnancy doubles your chances of having a negative pregnancy outcome³. Don’t use Mobic after 30 weeks of pregnancy.

Consult your doctor if you are pregnant. Mobic should only be taken during pregnancy if the possible benefit outweighs the potential risk.

If you’re trying to conceive, you should also consult your doctor. Meloxicam can induce a reversible ovulation delay. Don’t use meloxicam if you’re having trouble becoming pregnant or being tested for infertility.

Mobic does transfer into breast milk, so you should use this medication with caution while breastfeeding and only do so under your doctor’s guidance.

Interactions with other drugs

Mobic is known to interact with other drugs. This can increase the risk of side effects or make them worse. Some interactions are potentially dangerous.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take before starting Mobic treatment. Drug interactions can occur with both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Some common drug interactions include:

• Other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin

• Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Jantoven or Coumadin)

• Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

• Lithium (Lithobid)

• Methotrexate (Trexall or Rheumatrex)

• Cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins

• Certain medications that lower blood pressure

If you are taking any of these medications, be especially careful when starting Mobic treatment. Check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you to take the two medications together.

Allergy information

To avoid a severe allergic reaction, Mobic should not be taken if you have itchy skin, asthma symptoms, or an allergy to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to Mobic may include:

• Trouble breathing

• Swelling of your throat or tongue

• Hives

Don’t take this drug again if you had an allergic reaction to it in the past. Taking it again could be fatal.

Clinical trial history⁴

Mobic has been studied in clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety when treating the following conditions:

Osteoarthritis

Mobic was evaluated as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip in a 12-week, double-blind controlled trial. Researchers compared 3.75mg, 7.5mg, and 15mg daily doses of Mobic compared to placebo.

Trial participants taking 7.5mg and 15mg doses of Mobic showed significant improvement in terms of investigator’s global assessment, patient global assessment, patient pain assessment, and total WOMAC score (a self-questionnaire assessing pain, function, and stiffness) compared to those taking a placebo.

Rheumatoid arthritis

A 12-week, double-blind, controlled multinational trial evaluated the effectiveness of Mobic compared to placebo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Participants were given Mobic in 7.5mg, 15mg, and 22.5mg daily doses.

Those taking Mobic in daily doses of 7.5mg and 15mg showed significant improvement compared to those taking a placebo. The 22.5mg dose was not found to be more effective than the 15mg dose.

Tips and advice for taking Mobic

Here are some tips for taking Mobic safely and getting the best results:

• Always follow your doctor’s advice carefully when taking Mobic. Never take this medication without professional medical guidance.

• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Mobic, as dehydration can worsen side effects.

• The drug works best when taken with food.

• If you are having trouble swallowing Mobic tablets, you can dissolve them in water before drinking.

• Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience when taking Mobic. Seek medical help if they continue or worsen, or if you develop any of the serious side effects listed above.

• If you become pregnant while taking Mobic, inform your doctor immediately.