Side Effects of Meloxicam

A few common side effects of meloxicam include headache, insomnia, swelling, and upper respiratory infections (such as the common cold and flu). Some uncommon meloxicam side effects include high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and allergic reactions. There are also a number of serious side effects with meloxicam. You should call 911 immediately if, while taking meloxicam, you experience slurred speech, chest pain, or shortness of breath, among other symptoms.

Side Effects of Meloxicam: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with meloxicam (Mobic®). However, not everyone who takes the pain-relief drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate meloxicam well. When people do develop meloxicam side effects, in many cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. In clinical trials, up to 10 percent of people stopped taking meloxicam because of side effects.
 
(The side effects of meloxicam that are discussed below are not a complete list of side effects reported with the drug. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Meloxicam

Meloxicam has been studied extensively in clinical trials, with thousands of people worldwide having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to those that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. Based on these studies, the most common side effects of meloxicam that occurred more often in those taking meloxicam included:
 
  • Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia) -- up to 9.5 percent
  • Upper respiratory infections, including the common cold and flu -- up to 8.3 percent
  • Diarrhea -- up to 7.8 percent
  • Nausea -- up to 7.2 percent
  • Urinary tract infections (UTI) -- up to 6.9 percent
  • Joint pain -- up to 5.3 percent
  • Abdominal pain (or stomach pain) -- up to 4.7 percent
  • Swelling -- up to 4.5 percent
  • Anemia -- up to 4.1 percent
  • Headache -- up to 3.6 percent
  • Insomnia -- up to 3.6 percent
  • Gas -- up to 3.0 percent.
     
Other side effects occurring in more than 1 percent of people, and thought to be related to meloxicam, included but were not limited to:
 
  • Dizziness
  • Sore throat (pharyngitis)
  • Unexplained rash
  • Itching
  • Vomiting
  • Back pain.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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