Meloxicam: Everything You Need To Know

Meloxicam has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. These therapeutic effects are achieved through the selective inhibition of COX-2. You can learn more about it in this article.

Meloxicam is a medicinal substance. It belongs to the group of analgesic, antipyretic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Within this family, this drug belongs to the group of oxicams. These are selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

These drugs are used to treat moderate post-operative pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. They are also used to lower a fever. Meloxicam can be used in adults and in children who are at least 2 years old.

What are cyclooxygenases (COX)?

Like most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, NSAIDs), meloxicam has not only therapeutic effects, but also side effects. The British scientist John Robert Vane found an explanation for this in 1972.

Vane realized the following: This type of drug has the ability to inhibit the activity of certain enzymes. These were the so-called cyclooxygenases, COX for short. An enzyme is a biochemical catalyst and enzymes have important functions in the metabolism of organisms.

Cyclooxygenases are synthetases. They convert the arachidonic acid from cell membranes into unstable cyclic endoperoxides. These in turn are converted into prostaglandins and thromboxanes without affecting other molecules.

There are several sub-forms within the cyclooxygenases: COX-1, COX-2 and COX-3. Subtypes 1 and 2 each have the same structure and a similar molecular weight. In COX-1, the active center is slightly smaller. In addition, the channel in cyclooxygenase-1 is narrower than in cyclooxygenase-2. Therefore, all COX-1 inhibitors are also COX-2 inhibitors. But not the other way around.

COX-3 occurs only in the central nervous system. Therefore, its inhibition has no anti-inflammatory effect. The same is also the case with some NSAIDs.

How does meloxicam work in the body?

As mentioned earlier, meloxicam has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. These therapeutic effects are due to the selective inhibition of COX-2.

As a result of this inhibition , there is an interruption in the synthesis of prostaglandins and other substances associated with inflammatory, febrile and painful processes.

Prostaglandins are chemical compounds that are derived from fatty acids. They influence and affect various physiological processes in different areas of the body. These include the nervous system, smooth muscle tissue, blood, and the reproductive system.

The main functions of the prostaglandins can be named, for example:

• Prostaglandins are mediators in inflammatory reactions.
• They stimulate some of the nerve endings’ pain sensors.
• In addition, prostaglandins increase gastric mucus secretion and decrease gastric acid secretion.
• They also cause smooth muscle contraction.
• In addition , prostaglandins intervene in the regulation of body temperature. So that means they play a role in febrile illnesses.
• And they control the drop in blood pressure by promoting the elimination of certain substances from the kidneys.

So that means: you inhibit the enzymes that are responsible for their synthesis and as a result there is a reduction or an improvement in the symptoms they cause. This then creates the pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and fever-lowering effect.

In addition, several clinical studies have shown that meloxicam is also effective as an emergency contraceptive.

Undesirable side effects of meloxicam

Meloxicam, like all drugs on the market, can cause a number of undesirable side effects. These must be taken into account when starting treatment with this drug.

Undesirable side effects are all reactions that are not intended, but can still be expected during treatment with a drug.

In clinical trials with meloxicam, the most common undesirable side effects were those affecting the digestive system. The most serious reactions were bleeding and gastric perforation.

The most commonly observed gastrointestinal side effects include:

• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• dyspepsia
• Flatulence
• Nausea and vomiting

Conclusion

Meloxicam is a drug that belongs to the family of pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and non-steroidal antipyretics. It is mainly used to treat pain and inflammation associated with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It can also be used to treat fever.

It is a selective inhibitor of the COX-2 enzyme, so it blocks the synthesis of prostaglandins. However, caution should be exercised when administering it. So it is important to always follow the doctor’s instructions. This is because serious undesirable side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding can occur.

We recommend that you  always consult a doctor and always follow their recommendations for using the medication. This is the only way to avoid health complications.