Shop Blog

What Are the Worst Side Effects of Meloxicam

✍️ Written By Julie Smith
👨‍⚕️ Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nick I – General Practitioner & Medical Author
📅 Last Updated On September 23, 2026
Meloxicam medicine is a prescription solution that belongs to a group of solution known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This medication is used for helping lower pain, swelling, and stiffness. This issue is caused by conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Just like any other NSAIDs, meloxicam medicine can also lead to several side effects. There are many mild, but some can be serious and can need immediate medical attention. Knowing such warning signs can all help in understanding when to contact a healthcare professional.

What Are the Most Serious Side Effects of Meloxicam? 

Other severe side effects of meloxicam medicine can affect the heart, stomach, kidneys, liver, skin, and other parts of the body. These serious reactions are quite well uncommon, but they can sometimes be life-threatening too. 

  1. Heart Attack or Stroke

Meloxicam medicine and other NSAIDs can enhance the risk of serious cardiovascular issues. It can also include heart attacks and strokes. Such risks can occur during treatment and it might also enhance with longer use. People with a history of heart disease or some other cardiovascular risk factors can all need some extra caution. Such risk can also be higher in people who might smoke or have issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Seek emergency medical help for symptoms such as: 
  • Chest pain or pressure 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body 
  • Issues in speaking 
  • Sudden problems with balance or vision 
Such symptoms can have numerous causes, but they should not be ignored.

  1. Stomach or Intestinal Bleeding

One of the major risks of meloxicam medicine is gastrointestinal bleeding. NSAIDs can sometimes lead to conditions like ulcers, bleeding, or even a hole in the stomach or intestine. Such issues can occur without any sort of early warning symptoms. The risk can be quite higher in older adults and people with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding. Using some of the medicines like blood thinners, aspirin, corticosteroids, or other NSAIDs can also enhance bleeding risk. 

  1. Kidney Problems

Meloxicam medicine can affect kidney function, particularly in some of the people who might have kidney conditions or who are dehydrated. Long-term NSAID medicine can be used to be linked with kidney injury like acute kidney failure in some cases. Some people with heart failure, older adults, and those who are taking certain medicines for some of the blood pressure or fluid retention might have a higher risk.
Meloxicam-15mg-Melorise-15-mg-tablets-10s-tablet
Meloxicam
$0.75 per pill
Some of the possible warning signs have alteration in urination, swelling in the legs or feet, unexplained weight gain, or condition like unusual tiredness. However, some of the kidney issues might not usually have obvious symptoms. This is why some medical monitoring might be highly important for some people.

  1. Liver Injury

Meloxicam medicines can lead to alterations in liver enzymes. Rarely, serious liver injury has been reported, which can also include liver failure.  Some of the possible symptoms of liver issues are mentioned below: 
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes 
  • Dark urine 
  • Unusual tiredness 
  • Nausea 
  • Itching 
  • Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen 
  • Flu-like symptoms 
If these symptoms occur, consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

  1. Serious Skin Reactions

Some of the rare but severe skin reactions can occur with meloxicam. Such issues include conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Some such reactions can be life-threatening too. Watch for a new rash, blistering, peeling skin, fever, or sores which can be involved in the mouth or other areas. A serious skin reaction can develop quickly; hence, medical evaluation is important as well.

  1. Severe Allergic Reaction

Some people can have severe allergic reactions for meloxicam medicine. These symptoms include hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or difficulty swallowing. Issues in breathing or swelling of the throat can be just about some emergency. Make sure you seek immediate medical care if such symptoms might take place.

Who May Have a Higher Risk of Serious Side Effects? 

The risks of meloxicam medicine can vary from person to person. Perform extra caution as this is needed for people who have the condition below.  
  • Have a history of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding 
  • Have heart disease or cardiovascular risk factors 
  • Have kidney or liver issues 
  • Have heart failure 
  • Are older adults 
  • Are dehydrated 
  • Take blood thinners, aspirin, steroids, or other NSAIDs 
  • Have certain types of asthma or previous reactions to aspirin or NSAIDs
Such things do not mean everyone in the proper group can experience a serious reaction. A healthcare professional can lead to some of the medical history and medicines when deciding whether meloxicam is appropriate.

What Should You Do If You Notice Side Effects?

Do not ignore any sort of severe or unusual symptoms of using this meloxicam medicine. Emergency symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, vomiting blood, black stools, severe allergic reactions, or widespread blistering. This is also about peeling skin requiring urgent medical attention. For less severe symptoms, speak with the doctor or pharmacist before making alterations for the treatment. Avoid taking more meloxicam than prescribed and avoid combining it with another NSAID unless a healthcare professional tells you to do so.

The Bottom Line 

Medicine Meloxicam can be helpful for overcoming pain and inflammation. This is also about carrying out some of the important risks. Some of the most serious potential side effects have heart attack or stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney injury, liver injury, severe skin reactions, and serious allergic reactions. The risk is not the same for everyone. The age, health conditions, other solutions, dose, and length of treatment can all equally matter. While using the meloxicam medicine, follow all the prescriber's instructions and report concerning symptoms promptly. References:
  1. Asghar W, Jamali F. The effect of COX-2-selective meloxicam on myocardial, vascular and renal risks: a systematic review. Inflammopharmacology. 2015. Supports: cardiovascular and renal risk associated with meloxicam. (PubMed) PubMed source
  2. Schoenfeld P. Gastrointestinal safety profile of meloxicam: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Medicine. 1999. Supports: gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding and other GI adverse effects. (PubMed) PubMed source
  3. Bindu S, Mazumder S, Bandyopadhyay U. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and organ damage: a current perspective. Relevant NSAID safety literature covers GI, cardiovascular and renal complications. A related peer-reviewed review specifically summarizes these major NSAID adverse effects. (PubMed) PubMed source
  4. Staerkel P, Horsmans Y. Meloxicam-induced liver toxicity. Acta Gastroenterologica Belgica. 1999. Supports: rare meloxicam-associated liver injury and hepatitis. (PubMed) PubMed source
  5. Ishiguro A, et al. A case of drug-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome-like eruption predominating in mucosa. Clinical Case Reports. 2020. Supports: rare severe cutaneous reactions associated with meloxicam exposure. (PubMed) PubMed source
Editorial Standards

Content published on Global Discount Drugs is reviewed by healthcare professionals and supported by credible medical sources. Read our Editorial Content Policy to learn more.

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a review.




Can't read the image? click here to refresh.

* Comment

* Name

* Email

Web Site

Product was successfully added to your cart!
Continue () View Cart