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Can you take meloxicam with ibuprofen?

It is not considered safe to take meloxicam with ibuprofen
By | May 20, 2024
Two Rx tablets: Can you take meloxicam with ibuprofen?

Key takeaways

  • Meloxicam and ibuprofen belong to the same drug class and should not be taken concurrently.

  • Taking meloxicam along with ibuprofen can escalate the risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding, kidney failure, liver problems, and cardiovascular complications.

  • Besides having nearly identical risks of side effects, meloxicam and ibuprofen have similar contraindications to their use and interactions with other drugs and medical conditions.

  • Alternative analgesics can pair better with meloxicam or ibuprofen.

In this article:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used for those suffering from aching pain in muscles or joints. Ibuprofen is a common NSAID, available in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription dosages. Meloxicam hails from the same drug family and is often prescribed when ibuprofen fails or causes side effects. The key point to know is that these NSAIDs are alternatives to one another and should not be taken together. 

RELATED: What is meloxicam? | What is ibuprofen?

Can you take meloxicam with ibuprofen?

To be clear, you should never take meloxicam with ibuprofen. There is no circumstance when this combination is recommended as standard care because there are additive risks but no benefits to taking both, according to the drug label for meloxicam. As always, if you are unsure, you should check with your healthcare provider for medical advice and to clarify any uncertainties with your medication regimen, including OTC products, prescription drugs, and supplements.

RELATED: Meloxicam vs. ibuprofen: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

What are the risks of taking meloxicam and ibuprofen together?

Taking these two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs together, since they have nearly identical potential risks, could lead to additive adverse consequences. Stomach issues, such as upset stomach or abdominal pain, ulcers, and bleeding, are serious risks of these types of drugs. They can happen when you take either ibuprofen or meloxicam, especially if you take them together. Another risk of NSAIDs is their potential to harm kidney function. Liver damage is also a risk of NSAIDs. Cardiovascular consequences of either drug can include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. 

The serious side effects are noteworthy for everyone. Especially for older adults and those with pre-existing stomach problems, kidney disease, liver problems, or cardiovascular conditions. People who drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or are seriously ill might face an even greater chance of experiencing stomach issues from NSAIDs.

Advanced kidney disease is a contraindication to either drug, meaning they should be avoided. Caution with these meds is required for anyone with kidney problems or liver disease. Likewise, NSAIDs should not be used soon after heart bypass surgery and should only be used with caution by those with hypertension, heart disease, or a vascular disorder.

Interactions with other drugs are also quite similar between ibuprofen and meloxicam. NSAIDs can cause platelet dysfunction, and when our cells responsible for clotting are inhibited, bleeding can result. Therefore, taking ibuprofen or meloxicam with aspirin or with blood thinners used to treat a blood clot, like Eliquis (apixaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), or Jantoven (warfarin), could be disastrous in terms of hemorrhage potential. 

Other possible drug interactions include:

There are plenty of over-the-counter NSAID choices on pharmacy shelves, such as brand names like Advil (ibuprofen), Motrin (ibuprofen), and Aleve (naproxen), along with generic drugs prescribed by doctors. NSAIDs also find their way into some combination cold medicines. Despite their ready availability and in some ways because of it, NSAIDs can be dangerous. For example, someone taking meloxicam daily for rheumatoid arthritis may be unaware that they should not take Advil Cold and Sinus (ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine) when they get a cold or any other NSAID-containing OTC drug. Taking a cold medication containing an NSAID could put the person at risk of having two NSAIDs in their system.

RELATED: Meloxicam side effects | Ibuprofen side effects

How long after taking ibuprofen can you take meloxicam?

If you are changing from ibuprofen to meloxicam in hopes that it will be more effective, it is wise to ask how long you must wait between the last and first dose of meloxicam. The half-life of elimination of ibuprofen in adult patients is about two hours, meaning that about 95% of it will be eliminated 10 hours after a dose. In other words, you will want to wait at least 10 hours after taking ibuprofen before using meloxicam. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical help to see what your particular cross-over plan should be.

The situation is very different if you are switching to ibuprofen after having taken meloxicam, which has a much longer half-life of elimination of about 20 hours. That is why it is usually dosed once daily, but it also means it takes close to 5 days to get about 95% of meloxicam out of your system. After stopping meloxicam, your healthcare provider may want you to wait 5 days before starting ibuprofen. Get advice from your medical professionals before making any change like this.

If you are changing medication due to price, consult the SingleCare site for coupons for ibuprofen and meloxicam, and take your SingleCare discount card to the pharmacy for price savings.

What pain relievers can you take with meloxicam?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be a good choice to use with meloxicam because it is easier on the stomach, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Since it belongs to a different drug class with a distinct mechanism of action, acetaminophen can be used for those who have had an allergic reaction to NSAIDs. 

Acetaminophen is not reported to have a significant interaction with ibuprofen or meloxicam. Combining acetaminophen and ibuprofen is proven to be just as effective as acetaminophen-opioid combinations in clinical studies and scientific reviews. Using both agents may help achieve pain relief without using higher doses of either individually. Advil Dual Action even puts the two active ingredients, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, together in one tablet.

Another analgesic class that can be used concurrently with NSAIDs is the opioid family, such as morphine ER and oxycodone. Opiate analgesics have their own hazards, namely mental status changes, respiratory depression, and abuse or dependence, but they do not interact with NSAIDs. 

Creating and maintaining a safe and effective pain management regimen requires close collaboration between you, your healthcare providers, and your pharmacist. Taking the wrong combination of drugs can be harmful. Use the expertise of your medical team to help keep you safe in choosing between treatment options.