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If you have opioid use disorder, your doctor may recommend meloxicam for certain types of pain, such as discomfort after surgery or arthritis pain. Meloxicam isn’t an opioid, so it isn’t habit-forming and carries a far lower risk of overdose. Instead, it’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). You might be familiar with other common NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Meloxicam may be a better choice for pain relief if you have opioid use disorder or are in recovery. In this article, we’ll explain how meloxicam works and how it compares with opioid pain relievers.
Meloxicam works similarly to other NSAIDs. It reduces inflammation that contributes to pain. More specifically, meloxicam affects hormones that play a role in inflammation, pain, and fever.
Doctors sometimes choose NSAIDs like meloxicam instead of corticosteroids (steroid medicines) to help with inflammation. But NSAIDs and steroids don’t work the same way, and each has its own risks. NSAIDs can sometimes cause stomach bleeding, kidney problems, or heart risks, so the best choice depends on your health and the kind of pain you have.
Meloxicam is available in oral forms like tablets, liquids, and capsules. It also comes in an intravenous (IV) form, which is given through a vein. Unlike some of the more common NSAIDs, meloxicam is only available by prescription. If your doctor prescribes it, be sure to follow their instructions closely on how much to take and when to take it.
You might wonder how meloxicam compares with opioids and whether it can give you the pain relief you need. Is meloxicam an effective alternative to opioids if you’re in recovery from opioid use disorder?
We’ve already covered how meloxicam works, but how do opioids relieve pain? Instead of targeting hormones that cause inflammation and contribute to pain, opioids work on nerve cells to reduce their pain signals.
Opioids bind to nerve receptors called opioid receptors in the brain and elsewhere in your body. These opioid receptors regulate stress, mood, pain, breathing, and digestion. When opioids attach to these receptors, fewer pain signals reach your brain.
Unlike meloxicam, opioids can cause euphoria, or intense feelings of pleasure and well-being.
This happens because opioids activate the reward system inside your brain. It’s a major reason why many people develop opioid dependency and opioid use disorder. Meloxicam doesn’t cause euphoria, so it’s less likely to make you want to keep taking it after you no longer need it.
Meloxicam and opioids are both used for pain management. Meloxicam is mainly prescribed to treat pain, stiffness, and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine).
In some cases, meloxicam can also be prescribed for pain management after orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic surgery treats problems with the musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles), including injuries and arthritis.
Opioids are used for a wider range of pain types. Doctors prescribe opioids to treat acute pain (short-term pain), chronic pain (long-term pain), pain after surgery, and cancer pain.
According to a study in the Journal of Pain Research, meloxicam is safe to take after surgery and has a low risk of adverse events, meaning unwanted health problems, including side effects. Using meloxicam instead of opioids may lower the risk of common opioid side effects and other opioid-related risks. These include:
Taking meloxicam for pain management may help you use fewer opioid medications and avoid some of their common risks. Your doctor might recommend meloxicam by itself or with other pain relievers.
Meloxicam may be a good option for pain management if you’re in recovery from opioid use disorder, but it still has risks. These include possible side effects and adverse events.
Most meloxicam side effects are mild to moderate and generally manageable. They can include:
Meloxicam can increase the risk of serious heart problems like a heart attack or stroke. This risk can happen even early in treatment, and it may be higher with higher doses or longer use. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease or heart disease in your family.
Get immediate medical care if you experience heart-related symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath while taking meloxicam.
Meloxicam and other NSAIDs can also raise the risk of ulcers and bleeding in the GI tract. If you have black or tarry stools, vomit blood, or cough up blood, stop taking meloxicam and get medical help right away. These can be signs of dangerous bleeding.
Also, stop using meloxicam right away if you notice signs of kidney or liver problems like low appetite, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), or swelling in your feet and ankles.
Despite possible risks and adverse events, meloxicam may still be the less risky option for you compared to opioids. Your doctor can help you compare the risks and benefits of meloxicam with other non-opioid pain medications.
Not all pain medications are addictive or unsafe in recovery, and meloxicam is a good example. Still, there are a few important factors to keep in mind when using meloxicam or comparing it with other pain medications during recovery.
It’s important to avoid alcohol while taking meloxicam, as drinking can increase the risk of GI bleeding. You should also avoid smoking while taking meloxicam because smoking can raise the risk of GI bleeding.
Always talk to your doctor before combining meloxicam with any other medications or substances, including other NSAIDs.
Before you take meloxicam or any other medication for pain, your doctor will ask questions about your personal and family medical history. To be sure you can safely take meloxicam, tell your doctor about any history of:
NSAIDs like meloxicam are usually avoided during pregnancy unless your doctor says it’s needed. After about 20 weeks of pregnancy, NSAIDs can sometimes harm the baby’s kidneys and heart.
Your doctor will consider your medical history, including your history of opioid use, while choosing a pain medication. If they prescribe meloxicam, they’ll tell you exactly how much to take and what to do if you miss a dose. You and your doctor can work closely to decide if meloxicam is your best choice of pain reliever and compare it with other non-opioid options
If you need prescription pain relief medications for any reason, talk to your doctor about your best non-opioid options. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about meloxicam and whether it fits into your care plan.
Your doctor may ask you to come in for follow-up visits while you try a new pain medication. These visits can help your doctor see whether the medication is helping or causing side effects.
On MyOpioidRecoveryTeam, people share their experiences with opioid use disorder, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
What can you share about your experience with taking meloxicam for pain relief during opioid use disorder recovery? Let others know in the comments below.
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