What is Mobic?

• Mobic (meloxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Meloxicam works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
• Mobic is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in adults. Mobic is also used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old.
• Mobic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

How should I take Mobic?

• Take Mobic exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.
• You may take Mobic with or without food.
• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
• If a child is taking this medication, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Mobic doses are based on weight in children.
• If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.
• Store Mobic at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Mobic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Mobic: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; wheezing or trouble breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.

Stop using Mobic and call your doctor at once if you have:

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
• swelling or rapid weight gain;
• signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• kidney problems - little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
• low red blood cells (anaemia) - pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common Mobic side effects may include:

• upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, heartburn;
• diarrhoea, constipation, gas;
• dizziness; or
• cold symptoms, flu symptoms.

Mobic dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Mobic for Osteoarthritis:

• Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
• Maintenance dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
• Maximum dose: 15 mg orally daily

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

• Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
• Maintenance dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
• Maximum dose: 15 mg orally daily

Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

• Greater than or equal to 2 years: 0.125 mg/kg orally once daily
• Maximum dose: 7.5 mg orally daily
• There was no additional benefit demonstrated by increasing the dose above 0.125 mg/kg once daily in clinical trials.

What other drugs will affect Mobic?

Ask your doctor before using Mobic if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• cyclosporine;
• lithium;
• methotrexate;
• sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate);
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
• heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or
• steroid medicine (such as prednisone).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with meloxicam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Side effects

Common side effects with NSAIDs are related to the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• abdominal pain,
• diarrhoea, and
• gas.

To prevent these common side effects, it is recommended that most NSAIDs be taken with food or milk. NSAIDs may cause ulcers in the stomach and/or small intestine. A few NSAIDs are designed to be less damaging to the stomach and small intestine, therefore; they may be taken with or without food. Meloxicam is an example of one of these NSAIDs, but, nevertheless, it should be taken cautiously without food. NSAIDs have been associated with an increased risk of blood clots that can cause strokes and heart attacks. NSAIDs also may interfere with the function of the kidneys or injure the kidneys.

Other important side effects of meloxicam are:

• headache,
• fatigue related to anaemia (low red blood cell count),
• joint pain,
• back pain,
• insomnia,
• itching,
• skin rash,
• bladder infection, and
• upper respiratory tract infection.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meloxicam

http://www.drugs.com/mobic.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/meloxicam/article.htm

http://www.rxlist.com/mobic-drug.htm

http://patient.info/medicine/meloxicam-for-pain-and-inflammation