What Is Mobic Used For?

Mobic contains meloxicam, which belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medicines work by relieving pain, swelling, and redness in your joints.

Primary Uses

Mobic is used to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) – a chronic disorder that causes damage to cartilage and surrounding tissues, characterized by pain, stiffness, and loss of function. It’s also used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – an inflammatory arthritis affecting joints, usually hands and feet, causing swelling, pain, and often joint destruction.

How It Works

Meloxicam works by relieving pain, swelling, and redness in affected joints. While Mobic can relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your underlying condition.

How to Take Mobic

Follow the instructions provided by your doctor and pharmacist. Take Mobic once daily at about the same time each day to help you remember.

Dosage Instructions

For osteoarthritis: usual dose is 7.5 mg once daily, which may be increased to 15 mg if needed. For rheumatoid arthritis: usual dose is 15 mg once daily, which may be reduced to 7.5 mg if needed. Patients with kidney problems on dialysis should not take more than 7.5 mg daily. Maximum recommended daily dose is 15 mg. Swallow whole with a full glass of water with or immediately after food to reduce stomach upset risk.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose and it’s 2-3 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Flu-like symptoms (runny/blocked nose, cough, sore mouth/throat)
• Fatigue and fluid retention
• Swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
• Stomach upset, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, burping, gas, cramps, constipation, loose stools
• Headache, dizziness, spinning sensation, trouble sleeping, drowsiness
• Itching, flaking skin, excessive sweating
• Cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness
• Dehydration, increased appetite
• Back pain, joint pain/swelling, muscle spasms, aching muscles, muscle tenderness/weakness
• Blood in urine
• Increased blood pressure

Important Warnings

There are several important situations where Mobic should not be used, and medical conditions that require careful monitoring.

Who Should Not Take Mobic

Do not take Mobic if you: are under 18 years old; are allergic to meloxicam, aspirin, or other NSAIDs; are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding; are having or recently had heart bypass surgery; have galactose intolerance; have stomach/gut bleeding or holes; have uncontrolled heart failure; have severe liver or kidney problems; have had a stroke from brain bleeding; have stomach ulcers or stomach lining inflammation; have inflammatory bowel disease; are taking fluconazole, certain sulfur antibiotics, or methotrexate; have had asthma, nasal polyps, face/throat swelling, or hives after taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to medicines, foods, or preservatives; current infections; kidney disease; heart or blood vessel problems; liver problems; blood pressure issues; fluid retention; diabetes; high cholesterol; bleeding disorders; or asthma. Mobic may hide signs of infection like pain, fever, redness, and swelling.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Mobic if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Mobic. If you use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control, tell your doctor as NSAIDs like Mobic may decrease its effectiveness.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Mobic and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.

• Other NSAIDs (aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, etoricoxib, ibuprofen, indometacin, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, rofecoxib, salicylates, sulindac)
• Blood thinners (warfarin, heparin)
• Blood pressure medicines (furosemide, other diuretics)
• Heart rhythm medicines (amiodarone, quinidine)
• Immune system medicines (ciclosporin)
• Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• Antibiotics (erythromycin)
• Mood disorder medicines (lithium)
• Steroid medicines (cortisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone)
• Cancer medicines (pemetrexed)
• Diabetes medicines (sulfonylureas)
• Antidepressants (citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)
• Cholesterol medicines (cholestyramine – may reduce Mobic’s effect)

Alcohol & Driving

Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Mobic affects you, as it may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision in some people.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Mobic may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision in some people. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until these effects pass.

Storage

Keep Mobic in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Store away from moisture, heat, or sunlight – not in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above ground is ideal. Return unused medicine to your pharmacist for safe disposal.

Overdose Information

If you think you’ve taken too much Mobic, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea/vomiting, headache, drowsiness/dizziness, blurred vision, seizures, fainting, weakness, difficulty breathing, confusion, and changes in urine amount.

Frequently Asked Questions