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Key takeaways
Mobic—the brand name for meloxicam—can treat arthritis pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Meloxicam stays in the body for around three to five days, though possibly longer for patients with poor kidney function.
Long-term meloxicam use can lead to negative side effects in the kidney, liver, and stomach.
A patient’s safest choice for pain management is to seek medical advice. From there, treatment options may include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or something different.
Meloxicam can be purchased at a lower cost using a SingleCare prescription discount card.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain relief. More specifically, it treats pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis affecting the spine), and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the swelling and stiffness those conditions may cause. It prevents the body from making the substances that cause pain and inflammation.
However, unlike other NSAIDs—like ibuprofen—meloxicam is a prescription drug rather than an over-the-counter medication. It is stronger than other NSAIDS, is taken once a day, and can also cause more severe side effects. Meloxicam stays in the body for three to five days, sometimes more.
Why you might want meloxicam out of your system
People may wonder how long meloxicam stays in their system for various reasons.
First: Like other medications, it can have adverse effects. Common side effects include stomach pain, edema (fluid retention), headache, flu-like symptoms, and dizziness. Serious side effects include heart attack, stroke, liver disease, kidney damage, and an allergic reaction.
Meloxicam also interacts with other medications a person may need. Some drug interactions for meloxicam include blood thinners, other NSAIDs, blood pressure medications, and diuretics.
Additionally, meloxicam can worsen some conditions, such as heart disease and blood clots. Whether or not a person who is breastfeeding can safely take meloxicam is unclear. Regardless, these patients should carefully follow their healthcare provider’s suggestions since they’re at an increased risk for health complications.
Second, wanting to recover from meloxicam abuse is another reason. Since it’s a painkiller, is meloxicam addictive? Generally speaking, no: It doesn’t affect the brain in the same ways as opioids, for example. However, if you or a loved one are showing signs of meloxicam abuse—like taking the medicine recreationally—it’s vital to get addiction treatment, either inpatient or outpatient.
According to the American Addiction Centers, these individuals may not have withdrawal symptoms. However, they will likely experience the pain that the meloxicam alleviated. Healthcare providers at treatment centers can provide mental health support and medical care.
When used safely, the daily dose for meloxicam is typically 5 mg to 15 mg. A meloxicam overdose is possible; signs include drowsiness, vomiting, tarry stools, blurred vision, and more.
How long does meloxicam stay in your system?
The half-life of meloxicam—or the amount of time it takes for the body to clear half of a dose—is between 15 and 22 hours. So, it takes about three to five days for the body to eliminate meloxicam after the last dose has been taken.
“This time would be extended if the patient has poor kidney function,” adds Dr. Wendi Jones, Pharm.D., a pharmacist and the owner of Be Healthy Apothecary, LLC.
However, the dose has no impact on the metabolism of meloxicam, according to Dr. Jones.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, chief medical advisor for Garage Gym Reviews, agrees. “Just because you increase the dose in this case does not mean the drug stays longer in your body,” he says, noting that is a different concept than metabolism.
Factors that influence how long meloxicam stays in your system
Some health factors can affect how long meloxicam stays in the body. “Conditions like liver or kidney disease can slow down how quickly meloxicam is cleared from your body, leading it to stay in your system longer,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “Certain medications, like antifungals or blood pressure drugs, might also interfere with the meloxicam’s elimination.”
Dr. Jones mentions kidney function and genetics as other factors. “Patients with kidney disease have a more difficult time removing meloxicam from their system,” she says.
Factors that influence the absorption of meloxicam include food, gut health, and other medications. “It’s better absorbed when taken with food,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “Drugs that change stomach pH or motility can slow or speed up how meloxicam is absorbed.”
Want meloxicam out of your body even faster? Unfortunately, “there’s no quick way to flush nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as meloxicam (Mobic) out of your system,” according to Dr. Dasgupta. He encourages staying hydrated to help eliminate the drug naturally, but don’t expect the speed to be that much faster.
According to Dr. Jones, cholestyramine, a drug that lowers cholesterol, might help. She says it’s been shown to reduce the concentration of meloxicam in the blood and accelerate its clearance. It may be used in overdose cases.
“Overdose treatment should be done in a hospital,” she adds, “and the Poison Control Center should be contacted.” The number for the Poison Control Center is 1-800-222-1222.
Side effects of long-term meloxicam use
If taken long-term, meloxicam can cause damage to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, Dr. Dasgupta says. This includes the stomach and small intestine, in which inflammation, ulcers, and kidney problems can arise. But again, these are more likely when meloxicam is consumed longer.
Dr. Jones adds that the greatest risk of long-term use is GI bleeding. She says the risk is especially high for patients who use oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, or diuretics, as well as those who are elderly, have poor kidney function, have heart failure, or drink alcohol or smoke.
“Patients’ liver enzymes should be monitored,” she continues. “No dose adjustments have been provided regarding reduced liver activity; however, if liver function worsens or is impaired, meloxicam may be best avoided.”
At the same time, Dr. Dasgupta says it’s generally safe to take this medication daily under a doctor’s supervision, especially for chronic pain conditions such as arthritis.
Dr. Jones agrees, saying it’s usually prescribed with a once-a-day dosage and sometimes indefinitely.
“However, long-term use increases the risk of side effects, so it’s important to have regular checkups and monitoring for kidney and stomach issues,” Dr. Dasgupta says.
For what it’s worth, meloxicam and other NSAIDs typically don’t “build up” in the body, Dr. Dasgupta says, since they’re excreted relatively quickly. However, taking them regularly over time can lead to a more consistent level of the drug in the bloodstream.
“If dosing is appropriate, meloxicam maintains a level concentration in the body and does not increase unless the dose is increased,” Dr. Jones agrees. “There are, however, several medications that can cause meloxicam concentrations to increase.” So, she urges people to let a pharmacist or healthcare provider know about other medications and herbal supplements being used.
With all that said, is meloxicam the safest anti-inflammatory medication, or should someone consider switching? It depends. “Anti-inflammatory medication choice depends on your personal health and consultation with your doctor,” Dr. Dasgupta says.
For people treating pain, he encourages considering acetaminophen (Tylenol) since it’s “considered safer for long-term use” and is “less likely to cause issues with the upper gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach and small intestine or kidneys.” However, it comes with its own risks. Plus, an NSAID may be more of what a person needs due to pain and inflammation. For these reasons and more, he urges consulting with a healthcare professional to find the best, individualized choice.
It’s not just the specific medication that matters, either. “Typically, if able, it’s best to take an NSAID at the lowest dose for the shortest duration,” Dr. Jones says.
She continues that ibuprofen is generally considered safer since it has a shorter duration of action, and diclofenac has a similar safety profile as meloxicam. Dr. Jones also believes these are all safer than celecoxib and tramadol.
The bottom line
Meloxicam stays in a person’s system for around three to five days. However, everybody is different, so remember the importance of communicating and consulting with a healthcare provider.
Sources
- Dr. Wendi Jones, Pharm.D., a pharmacist and the owner of Be Healthy Apothecary, LLC
- Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, chief medical advisor for Garage Gym Reviews
- Meloxicam side effects — is meloxicam addictive?, American Addiction Centers (2023)