Melcam

Melcam15mg

Type:Tablet

Generic Name:Meloxicam

Manufacturer:Square Pharmaceuticals PLC.

Price:4.03

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Indication

Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis

Administration

May be taken with or without food. May be taken w/ meals if GI discomfort occurs.

Adult Dose

Oral Rheumatoid arthritis; Ankylosing spondylitis Adult: 15 mg daily as a single dose. Patients w/ increased risk of adverse effects: Initially, 7.5 mg daily. Acute exacerbations of osteoarthritis Adult: 7.5 mg daily up to max 15 mg daily as a single dose. Elderly: 7.5 mg daily for long-term treatment.

Child Dose

Oral Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Child: >2 yr 0.125 mg/kg once daily. Max: 7.5 mg daily.

Renal Dose

Renal impairment: Mild to moderate: No dosage adjustment needed. Severe: Not recommended. Dialysis patient: 7.5 mg daily.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to meloxicam, aspirin or other NSAIDs; severe hepatic impairment; bleeding disorders; renal failure without dialysis. Rectal admin in patients with proctitis, haemorrhoids or rectal bleeding.

Mode of Action

Meloxicam is an oxicam derivative which exhibits analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions. It reversibly inhibits the cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and -2) enzymes, thus resulting in reduced synthesis of prostaglandin precursors.

Precaution

History of GI disease, asthma, hypertension, CVD or risk factors, fluid retention or heart failure. Monitor patients with advanced renal disease. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Elderly. Pregnancy (avoid in the 3rd trimester) and lactation.

Side Effect

1-10% Indigestion (3.8-9.5%),Upper respiratory infection (<8.3%),Headache (2.4-8.3%),Diarrhea (1.9-7.8%),Nausea (2.4-7.2%),Abdominal pain (1.9-4.7%),Edema (0.6-4.5%),Anemia (<4.1%),Dizziness (1.1-3.8%),Constipation (0.8-2.6%),Angina (<2%),Congestive heart failure (<2%),Decreased platelet aggregation, purpuric disorder (<2%),Gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage (<2%),GI perforation, GI ulcer (<2%),Hepatitis (<2%),Hypertension (<2%),Inflammatory disorder of digestive tract (<2%),Myocardial infarction (<2%),Vomiting (<3%) <1% Anaphylactoid reaction,Angioedema,Fever,Asthma, bronchospasm,Cerebrovascular accident,Erythema multiforme, erythroderma,Immune hypersensitivity reaction,Interstitial nephritis, renal failure,Jaundice, liver failure,Stevens-Johnson syndrome,Tinnitus, hearing loss,Toxic epidermal necrolysis Potentially Fatal: Stevens Johnson syndrome, thrombocytopenia, interstitial nephritis and idiosyncratic liver abnormality.

Pregnancy Category Note

Pregnancy category: C; D in third trimester of pregnancy; drug should be avoided in late pregnancy

Interaction

Increased risk of severe GI effects w/ aspirin or warfarin. May antagonise antihypertensive effects of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. May reduce natriuretic effects of furosemide and thiazides. Enhanced toxicity of methotrexate. May increase plasma lithium concentration.

Alternative brand of Melcam