One of the most commonly reported side effects of some medications is drowsiness. “Many people report tiredness or fatigue as a side effect from their medicines. Feeling sleepy throughout the day can interfere with your quality of life, possibly hurting your performance at work or keeping you from participating in daytime activities. Drowsiness can also increase your risk of falling, which can lead to injury and disability, and it can affect your ability to drive safely.
What is Meloxicam?
Meloxicam is a medication used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints).
Meloxicam is also used to relieve the pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis that affects children) in children 2 years of age and older. Meloxicam is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.
Other uses for this medicine
Meloxicam is also used sometimes to treat ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
How is Meloxicam used?
Meloxicam comes as a tablet and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take meloxicam at the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take meloxicam exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Does Meloxicam make you Sleepy?
Sleepiness or drowsiness is not a common side effect associated with the use of meloxicam. However, when you take too much meloxicam, it can cause you to feel drowsy or sleepy. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Does Meloxicam cause insomnia?
Yes, meloxicam can cause insomnia which can result in sleepiness during the day and lack of energy. This can cause serious problems, for instance, if a person is driving when drowsy and gets into an accident. It can also lead to feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable, as well as cause difficulty focusing, learning, and remembering.
Does meloxicam make you feel high?
No, meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), if you take this drug, it will not cause you to experience the euphoric high that comes with narcotics and opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone, but there is still the threat of overdose.
Can meloxicam make you gain weight?
Meloxicam can cause both weight gain and weight loss among people taking the medication but a more common side effect is fluid retention (edema) which has been reported in 0.6% to 4.5% of people taking meloxicam in clinical studies.
What are the possible side effects of meloxicam?
Meloxicam can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking meloxicam. This list does not include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of meloxicam, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
More common side effects
The more common side effects that can occur with meloxicam include:
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• indigestion or heartburn
• nausea
• dizziness
• headache
• itching or rash
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Heart attack. Symptoms can include:
- chest pain or discomfort
- trouble breathing
- cold sweat
- pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or area above your belly button
- Stroke. Symptoms can include:
- numbness or weakness of your face, arm, or leg on one side of your body
- sudden confusion
- trouble speaking or understanding speech
- vision problems in one or both eyes
- trouble walking or loss of balance or coordination
- dizziness
- severe headache with no other cause
- Stomach and intestinal problems, such as bleeding, ulcers, or tearing. Symptoms can include:
- severe stomach pain
- vomiting blood
- bloody stools
- black, sticky stools
- Liver damage. Symptoms can include:
- dark urine or pale stools
- nausea
- vomiting
- not wanting to eat
- pain in your stomach area
- yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
- Increased blood pressure: Symptoms of extreme high blood pressure can include:
- dull headache
- dizzy spells
- nosebleeds
- Water retention or swelling. Symptoms can include:
- rapid weight gain
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
- Skin problems, such as blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
- Kidney damage. Symptoms can include:
- changes in how much or how often you urinate
- pain with urination
- Decreased red blood cells.
