What Does Meloxicam 15 mg Do to You? Understanding Its Effects, Uses, and Risks

October 6, 2025 •

3 min read

As a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), meloxicam is most commonly prescribed to relieve the inflammation, pain, and stiffness associated with various forms of arthritis. What does meloxicam 15 mg do to you? It provides powerful, once-daily relief by targeting the specific biological process that causes these symptoms, though it comes with important safety considerations.

Quick Summary

Meloxicam 15 mg is a prescription NSAID that reduces pain and inflammation from arthritis by inhibiting key enzyme pathways. While effective for daily symptom management, it carries a risk of serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects.

Key Points

Inhibits Pain and Inflammation: Meloxicam 15 mg functions as an NSAID by blocking the production of pain- and inflammation-causing prostaglandins.
Provides Long-Acting Relief: Taken once daily, the 15 mg dose offers sustained relief for chronic conditions like severe osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Carries Serious Health Risks: The medication has boxed warnings for potentially fatal cardiovascular (heart attack, stroke) and gastrointestinal (bleeding, ulcers) events.
Requires Medical Supervision: The 15 mg dosage, particularly with long-term use, necessitates careful oversight by a healthcare provider to manage significant risks.
Possesses Preferential Action: It preferentially targets the COX-2 enzyme, potentially reducing some gastric side effects compared to non-selective NSAIDs, though GI risks remain.
Not Suitable for Everyone: Those with heart disease, recent heart bypass surgery, severe kidney disease, or in late-stage pregnancy should avoid meloxicam.

How Meloxicam 15 mg Works to Fight Pain and Inflammation

Meloxicam belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It primarily reduces pain, fever, and inflammation by blocking the body's production of prostaglandins. Meloxicam is a preferential cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, meaning it primarily targets the COX-2 enzyme which is involved in inflammation, while having less effect on COX-1 enzymes that protect the stomach lining. This targeted action aims to provide anti-inflammatory benefits with a potentially reduced risk of gastrointestinal side effects compared to NSAIDs that block both enzymes.

Medical Conditions Treated by Meloxicam 15 mg

The 15 mg dose of meloxicam is typically prescribed once daily for chronic pain in adults, often for more severe cases of inflammatory conditions. Its main uses include managing the symptoms of:

Osteoarthritis: Helping to manage pain, swelling, and stiffness from this degenerative joint disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Alleviating pain, tenderness, and swelling caused by this autoimmune disorder affecting the joints.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Managing stiffness and pain, primarily affecting the spine.

Potential Side Effects and Serious Health Risks

While meloxicam is often well-tolerated for short periods, the 15 mg dose and long-term use increase the risk of side effects, which can range from mild to severe. The FDA has issued boxed warnings for significant risks.

Common Side Effects

Gastrointestinal issues like indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea
Headache and dizziness
Stomach pain or gas
Flu-like symptoms

Serious Warnings and Risks

Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events: NSAIDs like meloxicam increase the risk of serious and potentially fatal heart attacks and strokes, even early in treatment. This risk is higher with longer use and in patients with heart disease. It should not be used before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation: Meloxicam can cause serious, sometimes fatal, stomach and intestinal bleeding or ulcers, which may occur without warning.
Renal and Hepatic Toxicity: There is a risk of kidney or liver damage, particularly in older adults or those with existing conditions.
Increased Blood Pressure and Edema: Meloxicam can cause or worsen high blood pressure and lead to fluid retention, a concern for individuals with heart failure.
Serious Skin Reactions: Rare but serious skin issues like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been reported.

Comparison: Meloxicam 15 mg vs. Ibuprofen

Both medications are NSAIDs used for pain and inflammation, but they differ in several ways.


Feature	Meloxicam 15 mg	Ibuprofen
Availability	Prescription only	OTC and prescription strengths
Dosing Frequency	Once daily	Multiple times daily
Potency	More potent for chronic conditions	More for short-term pain
Onset of Action	Slower onset, for steady relief	Faster-acting, for immediate relief
COX Selectivity	Preferentially inhibits COX-2	Non-selective (inhibits COX-1 and COX-2)
GI Risk	Designed for lower GI risk but some studies suggest higher bleeding risk than ibuprofen	Higher GI risk due to COX-1 inhibition
Best For	Chronic arthritis pain	Mild-to-moderate pain, fever, acute inflammation

Who Should Not Take Meloxicam 15 mg?

Certain individuals should not take meloxicam due to increased risks. These include those with:

Recent CABG surgery: Contraindicated for pain management after this procedure.
NSAID Allergy: History of allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Pregnancy: Not recommended after 20 weeks and should be avoided after 30 weeks.
Severe heart failure: Should be avoided unless benefits outweigh risks.
Advanced renal disease: Should be avoided in patients with severe kidney problems.

Adhering to Proper Dosage and Monitoring

The 15 mg dose is the maximum daily dose for arthritis treatment. It is essential to follow medical instructions carefully to minimize serious side effects. The FDA recommends using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, kidney function, and liver function may be necessary, especially during long-term use.

Conclusion

Meloxicam 15 mg is a potent prescription NSAID effective for managing pain, swelling, and stiffness in severe arthritis through preferential COX-2 inhibition. However, this dosage, especially with extended use, carries significant risks. Patients must be aware of boxed warnings regarding cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications, along with potential kidney and liver issues. Therefore, meloxicam requires careful medical supervision, strict adherence to dosage, and ongoing monitoring to ensure its benefits outweigh potential harm, particularly during long-term therapy. Patients can consult the official DailyMed information for further detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, meloxicam is considered a potent and effective NSAID for treating pain and inflammation. While not a narcotic or opioid, the 15 mg dose is the maximum daily prescription strength used for treating moderate to severe arthritis symptoms.

The most common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. Other frequent side effects are headache, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms.

No, you should not take meloxicam with other NSAIDs, including over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen. Taking them together significantly increases the risk of serious side effects, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

It may take up to two weeks to experience the full benefit of meloxicam, especially for chronic conditions like arthritis. While some relief may be felt sooner, consistent daily use is needed to reach steady-state concentrations.

Yes, meloxicam can cause new or worsening high blood pressure. This risk is higher with long-term use and can affect the effectiveness of other blood pressure medications. Blood pressure should be monitored regularly while taking this medication.

Individuals who have recently undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, have a history of allergic reactions to NSAIDs, are in the later stages of pregnancy, or have severe heart, kidney, or liver disease should avoid this medication.

Yes, fluid retention (edema) is a known side effect of meloxicam. This can be particularly problematic for people with pre-existing heart failure, and it may also cause sudden weight gain.