An anti-inflammatory agent called meloxicam is widely used to treat joint pathologies. This drug belongs to the non-steroid group of a new generation, copes well with pain, heat and inflammation. In addition, this drug is prescribed by doctors for any inflammation, as well as for colds, fever, arthrosis and arthritis.
The composition of the drug and its release form
The active substance of this anti-inflammatory agent is meloxicam.
In addition to the main component, the composition of the drug includes the following excipients:
- regelatinized starch;
- microcrystalline cellulose (MCC);
- sodium citrate dihydrate;
- aerosil (colloidal silicon dioxide);
- magnesium stearate.
Meloxicam is available in tablets of 7.5 and 15 milligrams, which are packaged in blister packs of ten each. Also tablets are packaged in a hundred pieces in polymer cans, which are packed in cardboard boxes.
In addition to tablets, Meloxicam is made in the form of rectal suppositories (suppositories) and injections for injections.
Pharmacokinetics
The absolute bioavailability of the drug is eighty-nine percent. It is perfectly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, in addition, absorption does not depend on food intake.
The maximum concentration of the active component is reached 3-5 days after the first dose.
Withdrawal of Meloxicam from the body through the kidneys and intestines. The half-life varies from 15 to 20 hours.
Indications for use
Meloxicam tablets are prescribed to patients for the symptomatic treatment of the following ailments:
Exacerbation of arthrosis. The treatment period is short.- Chronic polyarthritis. A long course of treatment is required.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. Requires long-term therapy with this tool.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Acute pain in the joints.
Exacerbation of arthrosis. The treatment period is short.It should be borne in mind that injections of this drug are more effective than tablets or suppositories. Therefore, in the acute phase of the disease in the first two or three days it is recommended that patients use injections. After the removal of the main symptoms, treatment can be continued with candles or tablets.
Contraindications
Drugs, the active substance of which is meloxicam, are contraindicated in such diseases and conditions as:
- Ulcer of the digestive system.
- Hypersensitivity to the main component or excipients that make up this drug.
- Angioedema, polyps, asthma or urticaria.
- Tendency to bleed in the stomach or intestines.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Cerebrovascular bleeding.
- Severe hepatic or renal failure.
- Age under fifteen.
- Expressed heart disease.
Dosage and methods of administration
Depending on the form of release, the preparation is applied as follows:
- tablets should be taken with meals, once a day. In this case, you should drink plenty of liquids (250 milligrams). A single dose of Meloxicam is seven and a half milligrams. In case of insufficient therapeutic effect, the dose can be increased to fifteen milligrams;
- injection solution is administered only intramuscularly. Intravenous use of this tool is strictly prohibited. Meloxicam is injected into the muscle by fifteen milligrams once a day during the first two or three days of therapy;
- Candles are a kind of pill. Enter the body through the anus once a day. The dosage of this form of release is the same as that of tablets.
Interaction with other drugs
Meloxicam in combination with lithium is able to increase its accumulation in the blood to a toxic level. Therefore, experts do not recommend simultaneously taking this medicine with lithium preparations. As an exception, there are cases when this combination is justified and has a positive effect on the body.
Anti-inflammatory agent is not recommended for use with methotrexate, since this combination can cause anemia and leukopenia. Therefore, in the case of such a combination, it is necessary to constantly monitor the hemogram data.
Women who use intrauterine contraception should also take this anti-inflammatory agent with caution, as it reduces the effect of contraceptives.
When taken simultaneously with diuretics, the patient must take a very large amount of fluid, constantly monitoring the functionality of the kidneys.
It is strictly impossible to prescribe the drug together with antithrombotic and thrombolytic drugs, since such a combination increases the risk of bleeding.
Parallel use of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including salicylic acid derivatives, can cause erosive diseases of the digestive system. In the worst case, there is a risk of stomach ulcers.
Antihypertensive drugs in combination with meloxicam can cause acute renal failure. This is especially true for older people who experience dehydration.
The combination of this drug with oral anticoagulants can damage the intestinal or stomach mucosa, which in turn can cause bleeding. In addition, this combination of drugs reduces the functionality of platelets.
You also need to know that Meloxicam reduces the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
Special instructions for use
Meloxicam should be carefully prescribed to people with the following pathology and in the body:
- decreased renal blood flow;
- congestive heart failure;
- nephrotic syndrome;
- hypovolemia resulting from surgery.
Patients who take this anti-inflammatory agent and have at least one of the above diagnoses should constantly monitor kidney function and diuresis.
If you change the parameters that characterize the work of the liver, with the appearance of ulcers, bleeding or allergic reactions, the use of such a drug should be stopped.
In the event of adverse reactions in the form of drowsiness, headache, dizziness or tinnitus, it is necessary to avoid potentially hazardous activities that require quick reaction and increased perseverance.
Meloxicam Substitutes
Currently, there are quite a few Meloxicam analogues that have the same effect, contain the same active substance, but differ in name, manufacturer and price. The most popular substitutes are the following drugs:
Innflamin suppositories. Made in Ukraine. Cost - from 190 rubles.- Loksidol (solution for injections). Country of origin - Georgia. Price - 240 rubles.
- Mediksikam (solution for injection). This product is manufactured by a Greek company. The cost varies from 300 to 400 rubles.
- Melbec (pills). The manufacturer is the Turkish pharmaceutical company. The cost of this analogue is about 800 rubles.
- Melox (tablets). Budget substitute from the Slovak manufacturer. The price does not exceed 130 rubles.
- Meloxic (solution for injection). Country of origin - Poland. Cost - 285 rubles.
- Recox (tablets). Czech production. The price varies from 290 to 350 rubles.
- Oevmalgin (tablets). Product of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical company. Cost - 214 rubles.
Innflamin suppositories. Made in Ukraine. Cost - from 190 rubles.Storage conditions and price Meloxicam
This drug is available in pharmacies by prescription. The shelf life from the production date is three years, at a temperature of plus five to plus twenty-five degrees. The average price in Russia is 97 rubles for twenty 15 mg tablets.
Drug reviews
I have gonarthrosis of the second degree knee joints. Constantly tormented by unbearable pain that could not even walk. She took Arcoxia, which did not help. Most recently, the doctor prescribed meloxicam injections. After the injections, I started taking the pills and on the third day I was relieved. And after five days, she had already started walking with the help of a cane, the pain had decreased significantly. There were no side effects from this medication.
Olga, 58 years old
He took Meloxicam for two years, intermittently. He was very helpful with joint pain. Most recently, the stomach began to hurt, in the end it turned out that I had gastritis. As the gastroenterologist said, long-term use of Meloxicam could have had such consequences. It turns out that in order not to harm the stomach, it had to be taken along with Omeprazole, which my doctor did not tell me about when prescribing a treatment.
Konstantin, 49 years old
