Can You Take Ibuprofen With Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is a prescription-only NSAID medication approved by the FDA for pain relief for inflammation-based illnesses.[1] Many people who take meloxicam struggle with pain relief and look for additional medication that can relieve their symptoms. As medication like ibuprofen is easily accessible, some people taking meloxicam may choose to supplement their prescription with it.

Is it safe to mix ibuprofen with meloxicam? What should you do if you feel like your meloxicam prescription isn’t providing you with enough pain relief?

What Is Meloxicam?

Meloxicam belongs to the group of medications called NSAIDs — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.[1] These act to reduce inflammation in the body by decreasing the hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body.

By taking meloxicam, people who suffer from juvenile arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis should experience a reduction in inflammation, pain, tenderness, and swelling, allowing them to live a normal life and improving their quality of life.

Meloxicam is sold under brand names, including Mobic and Vivlodex. It is primarily prescribed as a tablet to be taken once a day, although a liquid suspension is available for people who find it difficult to swallow pills. In special cases and for short-term use, it may also be offered as an intravenous injection.

Can You Take Ibuprofen With Meloxicam?

When dealing with chronic pain, one of your first concerns may be what your pain relief options are. Specifically, you may want to know if you can supplement your pain relief with ibuprofen when taking meloxicam.[2]

Suffering from an inflammatory condition like arthritis can be extremely painful, and you may have days when you feel like you need to take more pain relief like Advil to get through the day. As ibuprofen is available over the counter, it’s natural to consider using it as a supplement for pain relief.

However, it is critical to note that you should not take meloxicam with ibuprofen.

As both meloxicam and ibuprofen are NSAIDs, they both have similar side effects. When taken together, the risk of harmful side effects like gastric bleeding, kidney problems, strokes, and stomach ulcers increases greatly. This also applies to other NSAIDs like Aleve (naproxen).

You can only take meloxicam with ibuprofen when your medical provider tells you to. When you do combine the drugs, you should only take these medications exactly as prescribed.

How Does Meloxicam Work to Treat Arthritis?

Although NSAIDs can treat a range of inflammatory conditions, meloxicam is primarily used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and juvenile arthritis.

These painful illnesses can cause a lot of discomfort, and meloxicam helps target joint inflammation specifically.

NSAIDs work by targeting the cyclooxygenases (COX) enzymes that cause pain and swelling.[3] Unlike most traditional NSAIDs that also target COX-1, meloxicam is a preferential NSAID that works by only inhibiting COX-2. COX-2 enzymes are known to produce immune responses such as inflammation, which is why meloxicam is so effective at treating arthritis specifically.

This preferential targeting of the COX-2 enzyme also reduces some of the side effects of taking NSAIDs, especially when taken for long periods of time.

Meloxicam also has a longer release time, meaning it can be taken just once a day, making it much easier to incorporate into a long-term treatment plan.

To ensure you get the maximum benefit, your medical practitioner will consider factors like your weight, the severity of your condition, and your current health when choosing a dosage.

Side Effects of Taking Meloxicam

As with all medication, taking meloxicam could cause potential side effects. That’s why your healthcare provider will look at your medical history to determine which medication is right for you.

While generally safe, some common meloxicam side effects include:[1]

• Stomach pains
• Acid reflux
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Gas or bloating
• Elevated blood pressure
• Flu-like symptoms

Alongside these common side effects, there are some more serious side effects you could potentially face, but these are far less common. In rare cases, you may experience gastric bleeding or an increased risk of stroke, blood clots, or heart attack. In extreme cases, you might suffer an allergic reaction. If you do, you should immediately see a doctor or medical professional.

Your healthcare provider will monitor you while on these drugs, testing vital functions such as your heart rate, circulation, and more to evaluate the risks and benefits analysis of taking meloxicam to treat your inflammation.

Due to the stomach issues meloxicam can cause, your physician may ask you to take omeprazole to help protect your stomach lining. It is important only to use omeprazole prescribed by your doctor as some omeprazole variants may include aspirin, a blood thinner that can cause internal bleeding when mixed with NSAIDs like meloxicam.[4]

If you experience any side effects from taking meloxicam, it’s important to tell your doctor. They can help you manage your side effects, adjust your dosage, or explore other treatment options.

What Is the Difference Between Meloxicam and Ibuprofen?

When considering anti-inflammatory pain relief treatments, many people wonder if they should be taking ibuprofen or meloxicam. Some wonder if it’s ok to take them both simultaneously.

We must first understand what makes these two medications different to answer these questions.

Ibuprofen and meloxicam are part of the NSAID family, helping to relieve pain by reducing swelling and inflammation.[5] But the similarities stop there.

Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter pain relief option often sold under brand names like Advil and Motrin. It can be taken every four to six hours in 200-400 mg doses at a maximum of 1200 mg daily (when taken without medical advice or prescription). This allows you to control when you need pain relief and only take it as needed.

On the other hand, meloxicam is usually taken once a day at either 10 mg or 15 mg doses. While this means you can’t adjust your pain relief, it does mean you don’t have to worry about monitoring multiple medications throughout the day as you would with ibuprofen.

As mentioned earlier, meloxicam is a preferential NSAID that only targets the COX-2 enzyme. In contrast, ibuprofen is a non-selective NSAID that blocks COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Because of this, taking ibuprofen can lead to a higher risk of some side effects, such as stomach pain.

Which Is Stronger? Meloxicam or Ibuprofen?

Sticking to one type of NSAID medication to treat your inflammation is important. While your doctor can recommend a personalized treatment plan, you may also want to research the best pain relievers.

Inevitably, strength is one of the most important factors people consider before taking NSAID medication. When you’re in a lot of pain, you want to ensure your pain medication will be strong enough to relieve your symptoms.

That’s why people often try to compare the strength of meloxicam and ibuprofen.

The truth is that while they do similar jobs, it’s hard to compare the strengths of these two medications.

Most people report that meloxicam is the stronger drug because they take it once a day, whereas they might need to take ibuprofen four to six times a day for sustained pain relief.[5] This is because meloxicam has a slower release than ibuprofen, which lasts longer.

However, when taken as directed, ibuprofen can be a strong pain-relief option for many inflammation-based conditions, including arthritis. After all, just because a drug is considered “stronger” doesn’t always mean it’s better for managing your unique pain situation.

What if Meloxicam Alone Doesn’t Manage My Pain?

While it can be distressing to suffer from pain that doesn’t seem to go away with treatment, it’s important not to self-prescribe an additional painkiller medication like ibuprofen or look to illegal substances such as opioids that can cause addiction.

Talk to your medical provider about the different treatment solutions to help you manage your pain. You may simply need a higher dose of meloxicam to accommodate the severity of your condition.

If this doesn’t help, your physician can explore alternative NSAID options that suit your individual needs and manage your arthritis better. They may also recommend non-NSAID drugs like acetaminophen (commonly sold as paracetamol or Tylenol).

Remember, the side effects of mixing medications like meloxicam and ibuprofen are serious, and you should not take such a risk without medical guidance.

It can be tough, but your healthcare provider will find you the best option for optimal pain relief.

Manage Your Pain Responsibly

Dealing with painful conditions like arthritis can be incredibly isolating and distressing. Sometimes, pain relief doesn’t feel like enough, and it might cause you to seek alternative options.

At Southeast Addiction Center GA, we specialize in supporting our clients to overcome addiction to strong pain relief alternatives by helping them find the right medication solutions and treatment plans. Our knowledgeable, understanding team will guide you through everything from medication to therapy to ensure you get the right treatment.

Being in pain doesn’t mean you have to suffer alone. If you’re struggling with an addiction to pain medication, reach out to our non-judgemental team so we can start your recovery journey.