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Pronunciation:

(mel OKS i kam)

U.S. Brand Names:

Mobic®

Generic Available:

No

Canadian Brand Names:

Mobic®; Mobicox®

Use:

Relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Pregnancy Risk Factor:

C/D (3rd trimester)

Pregnancy Implications:

May cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

Lactation:

Excretion in breast milk unknown/contraindicated

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to meloxicam or any component of the formulation, aspirin, or other NSAIDs; pregnancy C/D (3rd trimester)

Warnings/Precautions:

Fatal asthmatic and anaphylactoid reactions have occurred in patients with "aspirin triad." Use with caution in patients with CHF, hypertension, dehydration, decreased renal or hepatic function, history of GI disease (bleeding, ulcers, or previous GI symptoms with NSAID use), or those receiving anticoagulants and/or corticosteroids. Use lowest effective dose for shortest period possible; bleeding risk has been correlated to dose and duration of therapy. Gastrointestinal bleeding may occur without prior symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation. Elderly are at a high risk for adverse effects from NSAIDs. As many as 60% of elderly can develop peptic ulceration and/or hemorrhage asymptomatically.

Use of NSAIDs can compromise existing renal function especially when Clcr<30 mL/minute. CNS adverse effects such as confusion, agitation, and hallucination are generally seen in overdose or high-dose situations; however, elderly may demonstrate these adverse effects at lower doses than younger adults. Do not exceed 15 mg/day. Withhold for at least 4-6 half-lives prior to surgical or dental procedures.

Adverse Reactions:

2% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Edema (2% to 3%)

Central nervous system: Headache and dizziness occurred in 2% to 8% of patients, but occurred less frequently than placebo in controlled trials

Dermatologic: Pruritus (<1% to 2%), rash (1% to 3%)

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (3% to 6%), dyspepsia (4% to 9%), nausea (3% to 7%), flatulence (3%), abdominal pain (2% to 5%)

Respiratory: Cough (<1% to 2%), pharyngitis (1% to 3%), upper respiratory infection (2% to 3%)

Miscellaneous: Flu-like symptoms (5% to 6%), falls (3%)

<2%: Agranulocytosis, allergic reaction, alopecia, anaphylactic reaction, angina, angioedema, anxiety, arrhythmia, bronchospasm, bullous eruption, cardiac failure, colitis, confusion, depression, duodenal perforation, duodenal ulcer, dyspnea, erythema multiforme, gastric perforation, gastric ulcer, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematemesis, hematuria, hepatic failure, hepatitis, hyper-/hypotension, interstitial nephritis, intestinal perforation, jaundice, leukopenia, melena, MI, pancreatitis, paresthesia, photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, purpura, renal failure, seizure, shock, somnolence, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, syncope, thrombocytopenia, tinnitus, toxic epidermal necrolysis, tremor, ulcerative stomatitis, urticaria, vasculitis, vertigo

Overdosage/Toxicology:

Symptoms of overdose include lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. Rarely, severe symptoms have been associated with NSAID overdose including apnea, metabolic acidosis, coma, nystagmus, seizures, leukocytosis, and renal failure. Management of NSAID intoxication is supportive and symptomatic. Since meloxicam undergoes enterohepatic cycling, multiple doses of charcoal may be needed to reduce the potential for delayed toxicities. Cholestyramine has been shown to increase meloxicam clearance. Meloxicam is not dialyzable.

Drug Interactions:

Substrate (minor) of CYP2C8/9, 3A4; Inhibits CYP2C8/9 (weak)

ACE inhibitors: Antihypertensive effects may be decreased by concurrent therapy with NSAIDs; monitor blood pressure

Angiotensin II antagonists: Antihypertensive effects may be decreased by concurrent therapy with NSAIDs; monitor blood pressure

Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin, LMWHs) in combination with NSAIDs can cause increased risk of bleeding.

Antiplatelet drugs (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, aspirin, abciximab, dipyridamole, eptifibatide, tirofiban) can cause an increased risk of bleeding.

Aspirin increases serum concentrations (AUC) of meloxicam (in addition to potential for additive adverse effects); concurrent use is not recommended.

Cholestyramine (and possibly colestipol) increases the clearance of meloxicam.

Corticosteroids may increase the risk of GI ulceration; avoid concurrent use.

Cyclosporine: NSAIDs may increase serum creatinine, potassium, blood pressure, and cyclosporine levels; monitor cyclosporine levels and renal function carefully.

Hydralazine's antihypertensive effect is decreased; avoid concurrent use.

Lithium levels can be increased; avoid concurrent use if possible or monitor lithium levels and adjust dose. When NSAID is stopped, lithium will need adjustment again.

Loop diuretic's efficacy (diuretic and antihypertensive effect) may be reduced by NSAIDs.

Methotrexate: Severe bone marrow suppression, aplastic anemia, and GI toxicity have been reported with concomitant NSAID therapy. Avoid use during moderate or high-dose methotrexate (increased and prolonged methotrexate levels). NSAID use during low-dose treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has not been fully evaluated; extreme caution is warranted.

Thiazide diuretics: Antihypertensive effects of thiazide diuretics are decreased; avoid concurrent use.

Warfarin INRs may be increased by meloxicam. Monitor INR closely, particularly during initiation or change in dose. May increase risk of bleeding. Use lowest possible dose for shortest duration possible.

Ethanol/Nutrition/Herb Interactions:

Ethanol: Avoid ethanol (may enhance gastric mucosal irritation).

Stability:

Store at 25°C (77°F)

Mechanism of Action:

Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis by decreasing the activity of the enzyme, cyclooxygenase, which results in decreased formation of prostaglandin precursors

Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics:

Distribution: 10 L

Protein binding: 99.4%

Metabolism: Hepatic via CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 (minor)

Bioavailability: 89%

Half-life elimination: 15-20 hours

Time to peak: 5-10 hours

Excretion: Urine and feces (as inactive metabolites)

Dosage:

Adults: Oral: Initial: 7.5 mg once daily; some patients may receive additional benefit from an increased dose of 15 mg once daily; maximum dose: 15 mg/day

Elderly: Increased concentrations may occur in elderly patients (particularly in females); however, no specific dosage adjustment is recommended

Dosage adjustment in renal impairment:

Mild to moderate impairment: No specific dosage recommendations

Significant impairment (Clcr 15 mL/minute): Avoid use

Dosage adjustment in hepatic impairment:

Mild (Child-Pugh class A) to moderate (Child-Pugh class B) hepatic dysfunction: No dosage adjustment is necessary

Severe hepatic impairment: Patients with severe hepatic impairment have not been adequately studied

Monitoring Parameters:

CBC, periodic liver function, renal function (serum BUN, and creatinine)

Dietary Considerations:

Should be taken with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal irritation.

Patient Education:

Take this medication exactly as directed; do not increase dose without consulting prescriber. Take with food or milk to reduce GI distress. Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 L/day of fluids) unless instructed to restrict fluid intake. Avoid alcohol, excessive vitamin C intake, or salicylate-containing foods (eg, curry powder, prunes, raisins, tea, or licorice). Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing medication, or any other anti-inflammatory medications without consulting prescriber. You may experience anorexia, nausea, vomiting, or heartburn (small, frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help); drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, or headache (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known); or fluid retention (weigh yourself weekly and report unusual (3-5 lb/week) weight gain). GI bleeding, ulceration, or perforation can occur with or without pain; discontinue medication and contact prescriber if persistent abdominal pain or cramping, or blood in stool occurs. Report breathlessness, respiratory difficulty, or unusual cough; chest pain, rapid heartbeat, palpitations; unusual bruising/bleeding; blood in urine, stool, mouth, or vomitus; swollen extremities; skin rash or itching; acute fatigue, hearing changes (ringing in ears); or other adverse reactions. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to become pregnant. This drug should not be used in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Do not breast-feed.

Anesthesia and Critical Care Concerns/Other Considerations:

The 2002 ACCM/SCCM guidelines for analgesia (critically-ill adult) suggest that NSAIDs may be used in combination with opioids in select patients for pain management. Concern about adverse events (increased risk of renal dysfunction, altered platelet function and gastrointestinal irritation) limits its use in patients who have other underlying risks for these events.

In short-term use, NSAIDs vary considerably in their effect on blood pressure. When NSAIDs are used in patients with hypertension, appropriate monitoring of blood pressure responses should be completed and the duration of therapy, when possible, kept short. The use of NSAIDs in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure may be associated with an increased risk for fluid accumulation and edema; may precipitate renal failure in dehydrated patients.

Cardiovascular Considerations:

In short-term use, NSAIDs vary considerably in their effect on blood pressure. A recent meta-analysis (see References) showed that indomethacin and naproxen had the largest effect on blood pressure. Other NSAIDs, including piroxicam, ibuprofen, and sulindac had less of an effect. Ibuprofen combined with captopril or losartan may attenuate the antihypertensive effects of ACE inhibition or receptor blockade on sitting or 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure. When NSAIDs are used in patients with hypertension, appropriate monitoring of blood pressure responses should be completed and the duration of therapy, when possible, kept short. The use of NSAIDs in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure may be associated with an increased risk for fluid accumulation and edema. One study showed that NSAID use in elderly patients had an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure. This study gives compelling reasons to avoid or limit the use of NSAIDs in patients with congestive heart failure, particularly in the elderly population.

Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment:

Key adverse event(s) related to dental treatment: Taste perversion, ulcerative stomatitis, and xerostomia (normal salivary flow resumes upon discontinuation).

Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions:

No information available to require special precautions

Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status:

May cause dizziness; may rarely cause abnormal dreams, anxiety, confusion, depression, nervousness, and somnolence

Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment:

Rare reports of agranulocytosis, use caution with clozapine and carbamazepine; lithium levels can be increased; avoid concurrent use if possible or monitor lithium levels and adjust dose. When NSAID is stopped, lithium will need adjustment again.

Dosage Forms:

Suspension: 7.5 mg/5 mL (100 mL) [contains sodium benzoate; raspberry flavor]

Tablet: 7.5 mg, 15 mg

International Brand Names:

Aflamid® (MX); Artrilox® (ID); Aspicam® (PL); Bioflac® (BR); Coxamer® (CO); Coxflam® (ZA); Coxicam® (EC); Exen® (TR); Flamatec® (BR); Flexidol® (AR); Flexol® (CO); Flogoten® (AR); Ilacox® (GT); Inicox® (BR); Isox® (CL); Leutrol® (BR); Lonaflam® (BR); Loxicam® (CO); Loxiflam® (ZA); Loxiflan® (BR); Loxitenk® (AR); Lutrol® (PL); Masflex® (MX); Melocam® (CO); Mel-Od® (IN); Meloksam® (PL); Melonax® (BR, DO); Meloxicam® (BR, CR); Meloxicam Dexa Medica® (ID); Meloxicam MK® (CO); Melox® (SG, TR); Merapiran® (AR); Mexican® (CO); Mexpharm® (ID); Miogesil® (AR); Mobec® (DE); Mobex® (CL); Mobic® (AR, BE, CA, CO, CY, DK, EC, EG, FI, FR, GB, IE, IT, JO, JP, KW, LB, LU, MT, NO, NZ, SE, SG, TH, TR, ZA); Mobicox® (CA, CH, CR, DO, GT, HN, MX, PA, SV); Movalis® (AT, CZ, ES, HR, HU, PL, PT, RO, RU, SI, YU); Movatec® (BR); Movi-Cox® (ID); Movicox® (NL); Niflamin® (CO); Ocam® (CO); Parocin® (ES); Rumonal® (CO); Skudal® (AR); Tenaron® (AR, CL); Uticox® (ES); Zeloxim® (TR); Zix® (CL)

References

Conlin P, Moore T, Swartz S, et al, "Effect of Indomethacin on Blood Pressure Lowering by Captopril and Losartan in Hypertensive Patients,"Hypertension, 2000, 36(3):461-5.

Jacobi J, Fraser GL, Coursin DB, et al, "Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Sustained Use of Sedatives and Analgesics in the Critically Ill Adult,"Crit Care Med, 2002, 30(1):119-41. Available at: http://www.sccm.org/pdf/sedatives.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2003.

Morgan TO, Anderson A, and Bertram D, "Effect of Indomethacin on Blood Pressure in Elderly People With Essential Hypertension Well Controlled on Amlodipine or Enalapril,"Am J Hypertens, 2000, 13(11):1161-7.

Page J and Henry D, "Consumption of NSAIDs and the Development of Congestive Heart Failure in Elderly Patients: An Underrecognized Public Health Problem,"Arch Intern Med, 2000, 160(6):777-84.

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