In this blog post, we will answer the question, “Should I take Meloxicam at night or in the morning?”. Meloxicam is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to control severe pain and inflammation.

This is a prescription medication and is associated with some side effects. This blog will cover the most suitable time to take Meloxicam and how you can take this medication properly.

Should I take Meloxicam at night or in the morning?

You can take Meloxicam at any time of the day. However, some experts believe that Meloxicam works best when it is taken during the daytime. This may be because of the fact that Meloxicam can cause insomnia or the inability to fall asleep in some patients.

This side effect is reported by a number of individuals taking Meloxicam at night time. This is why it is suggested to take this medication during the daytime so you’ll have the least concentration of the drug in your system till the night comes and you will be able to fall asleep peacefully.

However, it is strongly recommended to stick to your doctor’s recommended dose and timing.

What are the clinical uses of Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is a strong and potent Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is used to control severe pain, inflammation, and different forms of arthritis.

It can also be prescribed post-surgery to control the pain and swelling. Meloxicam can control the release of substances that can cause pain, fever, and inflammation in your body. Meloxicam can be used for the following clinical conditions:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition in which different joints of the body become inflamed and extremely painful. It is an autoimmune disease and could be disabling.

Some people have explained it as a condition that can make you unable to even perform the simplest of tasks like going to the washroom, eating, sleeping, or doing some other work. If the disease progresses with time and is not treated carefully, it can cause a permanent disability.

Meloxicam has shown good results in the treatment and management of pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Several researchers investigated the safety and efficacy of Meloxicam for RA and they indicated that the drug showed significant changes as compared to the placebo which was used during the clinical trials.

Recommended doses:

Adults: the initial treatment is started from 7.5 mg, once a day. The dose can later be escalated by the doctor according to the severity of the condition. However, the dose should not exceed 15 mg per day.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is probably the most common type of arthritis in the world. It affects women more than men and those women who just have had menopause are at more risk because the hormonal changes in the body can trigger osteoarthritis.

This condition can affect the knee, hip, and finger joints. It can also take a very painful turn and if not treated and managed properly, it can lead to disability.

Meloxicam is also approved to be used for the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. However, it is a strong NSAID and should be used upon prescription.

Recommended doses

Adults: the initial treatment is started from 7.5 mg, once a day. The dose can later be escalated by the doctor according to the severity of the condition. However, the dose should not exceed 15 mg per day.

Children: The appropriate dose is determined by the healthcare provider according to the severity of the condition and body weight of the child.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis in children who are 16 years of age or younger. The condition causes the same complications related to rheumatoid arthritis and causes severe pain, inflammation, and fever in children as young as 6 years of age.

Meloxicam can also be used to control the symptoms associated with Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as the drug can be used in children above 2 years of age.

However, do not give Meloxicam to a young child without a doctor’s prescription. The appropriate dose and frequency should be determined by the healthcare provider according to the condition and body weight of the child.

Recommended doses:

Children who are 2 years old or older than that: The appropriate dose is determined by the doctor. Initially, the dose of 0.125 mg per 1 kg of body weight is prescribed. The doctor may adjust the dose later. However, it should not exceed 7.5 mg per day.

Children who are less than 2 years of age: The appropriate dose is determined by the healthcare provider according to the severity of the condition and body weight of the child.

How should you take Meloxicam?

Meloxicam should be taken carefully in order to achieve the maximum temperature response from the drug. As we have discussed, you can take it whenever you want but you have to make sure you take it only once and at the same time every day. Meloxicam comes in two dosage forms:

Meloxicam tablets
Meloxicam oral liquid suspension

You can take it with or without food. Meloxicam, being an NSAID, may cause your stomach acidity to go high and cause heartburn. If the drug is heavy on your stomach like that, it’s best to take it with food, preferably in between your meals.

This way, the presence of food will protect your stomach from getting attacked by excessive acid. Make sure you do not take the drug more than once a day.

In case of accidental overdose, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can and properly inform them how much of the drug is taken and when. Also, keep the bottle away from children and pets.

What are the side effects associated with the use of Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is associated with a number of side effects that may affect some people more than others. Some of the side effects include:

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea/Constipation
Flatulence
Bloating
Sore throat
Heartburn or acid reflux
Fever with or without chills
Itching
Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body
Lethargy
Fatigue
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Insomnia
Pale colored eyes and skin
Discoloration or urine
Painful urination
Weight gain

Meloxicam is also associated with some exercise side effects.

Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of the skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness, etc
Swelling of lips, tongue, eyes, ankles, calves, etc
Vision problems
Chest pain
Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat
Pain in the upper abdomen
Unbearable gastrointestinal side effects

Make sure you report these side effects as soon as you can. Meloxicam may not suit everyone and the treatment with the drug may get discontinued.

The most common cause of intolerance is the gastrointestinal side effects of the drugs and their incompatibility with some other prescription medications.

People with stomach conditions like ulcers can not take Meloxicam because of the side effects it causes and it can significantly exacerbate the symptoms associated with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

What are the warnings associated with the use of Meloxicam?

Meloxicam comes with some warnings and is not a good drug of choice for some people. It is not suitable to be used in people who are cardiac patients as the use of Meloxicam can increase the risk of getting a heart attack in such people.

If you have a cardiac condition, make sure you ask your healthcare provider before starting to use Meloxicam on your own. If you have had a heart attack recently, it’s best to avoid Meloxicam.

It is also not recommended to be used in people who have gastric or duodenal ulcers, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or any other gastrointestinal condition.

Meloxicam can increase stomach acidity and can damage the protective gastrointestinal mucosa. It can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Make sure you properly inform your doctor if you’re taking any other medication along with Meloxicam, especially the following meds:

Blood thinner or anticoagulants like warfarin, clopidogrel etc
Other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Antidepressants like Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram, Venlafaxine, Imipramine, Amitriptyline, etc.
Steroidal medications
Antipsychotics
Antihypertensives

Drug interactions should be an important consideration before taking any medication in combination with another. This is why it is important to give details of your medication history to your GP.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed the best time to take Meloxicam. We have learned that you can take this medication at any time, but only once a day. However, some experts believe that Meloxicam works best when it is taken during the daytime.

This may be because of the fact that Meloxicam can cause insomnia or the inability to fall asleep in some patients. So daytime administration can have fewer side effects as compared to nighttime.

Make sure you do not take the drug more than once a day. In case of accidental overdose, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can and properly inform them how much of the drug is taken and when.

FAQs: Should I take Meloxicam at night or in the morning

Does meloxicam keep you up at night?

Meloxicam can cause insomnia or inability to fall asleep in some patients. This side effect is reported by a number of individuals taking Meloxicam at night time. This is why it is suggested to take this medication during the daytime so you’ll have the least concentration of the drug in your system till the night comes and you will be able to fall asleep peacefully. However, it is strongly recommended to stick to your doctor’s recommended dose and timing.

Does meloxicam work immediately for pain?

Meloxicam has a rapid onset of action and it starts working in 30 minutes. However, it can still take up to 4 hours to reach to its peak concentration in your body and this is the time when it should provide the maximum pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects.

What should you not take with meloxicam?

You should not take Meloxicam with the following medications:

Antidepressants like Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram, Venlafaxine, Imipramine, Amitriptyline, etc.
Steroidal medications
Antipsychotics
Antihypertensives like ACE Inhibitors
Diuretics

How many hours does meloxicam last?

Meloxicam can last as long as 24 hours and this is exactly why it is recommended to be taken once a day only. Meloxicam is considered a potent NSAID and this is why it is not given in combination with some other anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medication.

When should you not take meloxicam?

If you have a cardiac condition, make sure you ask your healthcare provider before starting to use Meloxicam on your own. If you have had a heart attack recently, it’s best to avoid Meloxicam. It is also not recommended to be used in people who have a gastric or duodenal ulcer, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or any other gastrointestinal condition.

References

National Library of Medicine – https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601242.html
Meloxicam oral route https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/meloxicam-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20066928
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Rheumatoid arthritis https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html#:~:text=Rheumatoid%20arthritis%2C%20or%20RA%2C%20is,usually%20many%20joints%20at%20once.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Osteoarthritis https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm#:~:text=Osteoarthritis%20(OA)%20is%20the%20most,underlying%20bone%20begins%20to%20change.
Understanding Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis — the Basics https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/understanding-juvenile-rheumatoid-arthritis-basics

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Should I take Meloxicam at night or in the morning? (3 clinical uses of meloxicam)