Meloxicam Addiction Hotline

Is meloxicam addicting? A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, meloxicam doesn’t come with the physically addictive properties you find in some other prescription painkillers. But even though you won’t develop a meloxicam addiction, it’s still possible for people to misuse the drug or become mentally addicted. Read more to learn why you could still need support even if you can’t develop a meloxicam addiction.

What Is Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is the generic name for a prescription NSAID used for managing pain. You might know the drug as Mobic. Doctors often prescribe the medication to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. While it’s primarily prescribed to adults, it may be prescribed for children diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.

It helps ease tenderness, swelling and stiffness in addition to pain, which is why it’s often used for arthritis. The drug works by blocking the body from making the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which can cause you to have pain, inflammation and fever.

Can You Develop a Meloxicam Addiction?

While you won’t develop a physical meloxicam addiction, some people do develop a psychological dependency on meloxicam. In addition, you can misuse the drug in various ways. Taking it outside the prescribed instructions is considered misuse and could lead to additional side effects.

Some people assume that because meloxicam is a prescription painkiller, it creates the same euphoric or high feeling you get with opioids. This could lead them to misuse the drug despite not getting the high they crave. Some people experiment with any type of pain reliever just to see if it has the intended effect.

For others, misuse happens as a means to deal with the pain they experience. About 8.7 million people admit to the misuse of prescription pain relievers, so you’re not alone if you fall into this category. Maybe the dose you’ve been prescribed doesn’t fully manage the pain. Instead of talking to your doctor, you might take a larger dose than prescribed or take your meloxicam more often than recommended by your doctor. You might continue increasing your dose or the frequency if your pain still isn’t fully managed.

Side Effects of Meloxicam Abuse

Even when used as prescribed, meloxicam comes with potential side effects, including upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, dizziness and increased blood pressure. While all NSAIDs have the potential to cause digestive issues, meloxicam tends to have an increased risk of stomach issues, especially at higher doses.

Because it’s already stronger than over-the-counter NSAIDs, meloxicam can be particularly dangerous when taken in doses larger than prescribed. You might have severe abdominal issues, including bleeding or ulcers in the stomach or intestines. The medication can also cause liver issues.

Misusing meloxicam could increase your risk of experiencing more severe side effects, including:

  • Swelling
  • Skin rash
  • Loss of appetite
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Heartbeat irregularities
  • Easy bruising
  • Hives or itching
  • Yellowing in your skin and eyes
  • Changes in your urination

Treatment Options for Meloxicam Abuse

If you suspect you or someone else is experiencing a meloxicam overdose, seek medical attention immediately. The side effects can be severe and detrimental to your health. Signs of a meloxicam overdose include:

  • Severe stomach pain
  • Blood in your vomit
  • Blood in your stools
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Excessive drowsiness
  • Changes to your heart rate
  • Blue lips or skin
  • Facial swelling
  • Seizures
  • Coma

If you continue to misuse meloxicam, seeking treatment can help you avoid those behaviors going forward. Because the meloxicam addiction is psychological rather than physical, receiving mental health support is often an effective option. Some types of treatment you might use include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT teaches you how to identify and cope with unhelpful thoughts that could contribute to misusing meloxicam. This type of therapy teaches you coping mechanisms that could support your recovery process.
  • Group therapy. For some people, participating in group therapy to work through the misuse of drugs is the most comfortable setting.
  • Medically assisted detox. People who take larger doses than prescribed may become dependent on the pain reliever. In those cases, medically assisted detox can help the individual reduce their dependence on the medication.

In some cases, the misuse of meloxicam accompanies other substance abuse. For instance, if you binge drink and experience uncomfortable hangover symptoms the next day, you might take meloxicam to get rid of the headache and other discomfort. This makes it easier for you to start your next alcohol binge.

Likewise, if you have addictive tendencies, you might tend to misuse all types of drugs, including meloxicam. It could be something you take along with other prescription medications or illegal drugs as part of your addictive behaviors. Seeking help for all your misuse issues can help you stop misusing meloxicam.

When to Call an Addiction Hotline

When is the right time to call an addiction hotline? If you’re questioning your use of meloxicam or any other drugs, don’t hesitate to call the addiction hotline. It’s designed to offer fast, confidential support for nonemergency drug use situations. You’re not obligated to receive treatment, but you can explore your options safely.

If you’re experiencing a medical emergency due to meloxicam, call 911 immediately. The addiction hotline isn’t designed to assist with life-threatening situations, so contacting emergency services is your most effective option in that situation.

If you’re looking for help with a drug addiction, call the National Rehab Hotline now for immediate help. It’s the first step toward getting the help you need. When you call the hotline, you receive referrals to treatment facilities where you can get individualized care for your addiction. You also receive confidential support and guidance along the way. It all starts with one phone call.