Why You Should Avoid Taking Ibuprofen With Meloxicam

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It stops pain by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) proteins that typically cause pain and inflammation. Although meloxicam is less likely to cause stomach issues compared to other NSAIDs, you have to pay attention to other drugs you might be taking, even over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like ibuprofen.

You might take ibuprofen to take care of your headache, but ibuprofen can also be found in cold and sinus medications. Ibuprofen is also an NSAID. Chief Medical Officer and Physician at One Oak Medical Dr. Jason Singh told Health Digest that taking ibuprofen and meloxicam together increases your risk of side effects such as ulcers, stomach irritation, kidney issues, and bleeding.

"NSAIDs can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, so combining them can exacerbate this effect, potentially leading to acute kidney injury, especially in susceptible individuals," he added. "NSAIDs also affect platelet function which can increase the risk of bleeding."

Because it's easy to get OTC NSAIDs like ibuprofen, many people may exceed the recommended dosage, according to a 2021 article in Drug Safety. Professional and amateur athletes take ibuprofen and other NSAIDs to manage their pain or prevent pain before competitions. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, 67% of players used NSAIDs, and NSAID use is common among triathletes during races. Taking NSAIDs after intense exercise is risky, and many athletes are unaware of the risks of gastrointestinal distress and kidney damage from overusing NSAIDs.

A standard dose of OTC ibuprofen is one or two 200-milligram tablets every four to six hours, with a maximum daily amount of 1,200 milligrams. A 2016 survey published in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences found that 19% of people in the United States take more than the recommended dose of NSAIDs, and 24% of people use different types of NSAIDs at once. You can take ibuprofen for pain every day for up to five days, but you should consult your doctor if you need to take it for longer.

Singh said that taking too many NSAIDs doesn't increase their effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation. If your dose of meloxicam isn't relieving your pain, you should see if your doctor can adjust your dosage. "The standard dose is 7.5 mg daily, but it can be increased to 15 mg daily if needed," he said. Meloxicam might not provide immediate pain relief like ibuprofen or naproxen, however. Sometimes it can take two weeks for meloxicam to take full effect.

If you're taking meloxicam for pain, Singh suggests other therapies besides NSAIDs. "Consider complementary non-pharmacological approaches such as PT, heat/cold therapy, and weight management, especially for conditions like osteoarthritis to reduce joint stress and pain," he said.

You could also consider acetaminophen (Tylenol), but Singh stresses that you should talk to your doctor. "If pain relief is inadequate, then it's important to reassess the diagnosis and ensure that the underlying condition is being appropriately addressed," he said. "Sometimes, persistent pain can indicate disease progression or an undiagnosed comorbidity."