Movatec (Meloxicam)

• Meloxicam is an NSAID that targets inflammatory joint and musculoskeletal disorders.
• Osteoarthritis: alleviates joint pain and improves function in degenerative joint disease.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: decreases inflammation and pain, helping to preserve joint integrity.
• Ankylosing spondylitis: reduces spinal inflammation and stiffness, improving mobility.
• Acute musculoskeletal pain: provides rapid relief of pain and swelling following injury or overuse.

• Meloxicam selectively inhibits the cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) enzyme, which converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins that mediate inflammation, pain and fever. By blocking COX‑2, meloxicam lowers prostaglandin synthesis at sites of inflammation while sparing COX‑1 activity, thereby providing anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects with a reduced risk of gastrointestinal irritation compared with non‑selective NSAIDs.

Meloxicam may cause a range of adverse reactions, from mild to severe.

Common Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal discomfort, such as dyspepsia or nausea.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Elevated liver enzymes detected in laboratory tests.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, which can be life‑threatening.
• Cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction or stroke.
• Severe skin reactions such as Stevens‑Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis.

• Before prescribing meloxicam, clinicians should consider several safety aspects.
• Renal function: assess kidney function and avoid use in severe renal impairment.
• Cardiovascular risk: use cautiously in patients with a history of heart disease or hypertension.
• Gastrointestinal history: avoid in individuals with active ulcers or prior GI bleeding.
• Concomitant anticoagulants: monitor bleeding risk when combined with warfarin or similar agents.
• Pregnancy and lactation: evaluate risk‑benefit, as safety data are limited.
• Store at ambient temperature: keep below 25°C in the original packaging, protected from moisture.

Meloxicam can interact with several medicines, altering efficacy or safety.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin): increased risk of serious bleeding.
• Other NSAIDs or aspirin: heightened gastrointestinal toxicity.
• Lithium: elevated lithium levels leading to toxicity.
• Methotrexate: reduced clearance and potential toxicity.
• High‑dose corticosteroids: additive risk of ulceration.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Diuretics (especially thiazides): possible reduction in renal function.
• ACE inhibitors or ARBs: may diminish antihypertensive effect and affect kidney function.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): modest increase in bleeding risk.