Is Meloxicam a Narcotic?

What you will learn

• Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It cannot elicit a “high,” and is not a narcotic.
• Patients often take this prescription medication with various forms of arthritis and post-op pain.
• Adhering to usage guidelines when taking meloxicam is essential for preventing short-term and long-term side effects.

No, meloxicam is not a narcotic. Meloxicam is sometimes used as a non-opioid option for managing inflammatory pain, but it is not a direct substitute for narcotics in cases of severe or non-inflammatory pain. However, this doesn’t mean that the anti-inflammatory drug cannot be abused or cause harm when misused.

As the world continues to wake up to the urgency of the opioid epidemic, many people have mistakenly lumped meloxicam in with narcotic painkillers. Mentions of “Is meloxicam a narcotic?” continue to surface online. However, this particular inflammation- and pain-relieving medication is significantly less likely to foster a dependence or an addiction.

In this overview of all things meloxicam, we’ll explain what the drug is, what it isn’t, how it works, who it’s for, and more.

What Exactly Is Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is categorized alongside ibuprofen and aspirin as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is sometimes sold under the brand names Mobic and Vivlodex, and is typically available in pill or liquid form (for once-daily use).

The main mechanism of action that meloxicam uses to control inflammation involves targeting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes.[1] Specifically, meloxicam is a COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor and prevents these enzymes from producing substances called prostaglandins, which increase swelling and pain in the body.[2]

While meloxicam is a powerful, prescription-grade drug that generally outperforms over-the-counter NSAIDs, it does not cause psychoactive effects or a “high.” This distinction is essential for how meloxicam is classified.

Legal Classification: Is Meloxicam a Controlled Substance?

No, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has not officially classified meloxicam as a controlled substance. While some people assume meloxicam is a controlled substance, it is still classified as a non-psychoactive NSAID.

Meloxicam is not habit-forming and does not produce euphoria or sedation. While it does not cause chemical dependence like narcotics, abrupt discontinuation in rare cases may lead to rebound symptoms such as increased pain or inflammation.

On the other hand, narcotics like oxycodone and morphine act directly on the brain. Where meloxicam interferes with an enzyme, these opioids access the central nervous system to block pain. This creates a sense of euphoria, unlocking a powerful potential for addiction.

Meloxicam treats inflammation-related pain primarily through peripheral COX inhibition, with minimal direct impact on brain chemistry. While it may be prescribed to treat similar conditions, its risk profile and mechanism are entirely different.

What Does Meloxicam Treat?

People who need a sustainable chronic inflammation reliever are often prescribed meloxicam as a non-narcotic option. While its mechanism focuses on inflammation, meloxicam significantly reduces inflammation-related pain.[3]

Common applications for meloxicam include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack tissues of the joints, causing inflammation and pain. Typically, smaller joints of the hand, wrist, and feet are targeted. This condition can also affect the heart, lungs, and other vital structures in the body.
• Osteoarthritis: Where rheumatoid arthritis is an immune issue, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused mainly by damage to the cartilage of the hips, knees, shoulders, and other larger joints. Repetitive stress on a joint (as when playing sports or working a manual labor job) can cause arthritis, as can traumatic injuries.
• Ankylosing spondylitis: Another form of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis targets the spine and the sacroiliac joint (where your lower spine connects to the hip). In addition to persistent and painful inflammation, ankylosing spondylitis may cause the vertebrae to fuse, decreasing the spine’s flexibility.
• Off-label: Using a product “off-label” means using it for purposes not cleared by the FDA. Regarding meloxicam, this includes gout attacks, general pain relief from surgery or injury, migraines, bruises, and other soft tissue injuries, among other conditions.

What Form Does Meloxicam Come In?

Most patients take meloxicam in pill form, but other preparations are available, including liquid and injectable forms.

Typically, meloxicam is taken once daily, and patients may or may not be recommended to take it with food. When first starting meloxicam, it may take a few days for the drug to accumulate, after which you should notice significant relief from inflammation and pain.

Why Is Meloxicam Often Confused With Narcotics?

When you understand what meloxicam is used to treat, it’s not surprising that it tends to be associated with narcotics. Both meloxicam and commonly prescribed narcotics are used for chronic conditions. Both narcotics and meloxicam can help post-operative patients and others with pain move around more freely and with less discomfort[4].

Though meloxicam will not cause a high or promote an addiction, it is sometimes abused by those in search of recreational drugs. Though they won’t get the high they hoped for, a meloxicam overdose can still cause life-threatening complications.

Meloxicam overdose symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:[5]

• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Internal bleeding
• Kidney failure
• Seizures and other neurological problems
• Difficulty breathing
• Cardiac arrest

These effects may be worsened when meloxicam is taken alongside other drugs or potentially harmful substances. As always, make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully when taking meloxicam.

How Safe Is Meloxicam?

We’ve already established that meloxicam is a non-psychoactive drug with no potential for addiction, but there are still risks associated with this potent anti-inflammatory medication. Meloxicam is safe when used as directed, but high doses and improper use can lead to harmful consequences.

Several key factors can potentially increase safety risks associated with meloxicam, including the following:

• How long you use the drug
• Dosage amount
• Properly following dosage and use guidelines
• Interactions with other drugs or supplements

Individual circumstances relating to your health history can also impact your eligibility for meloxicam use. Hypersensitivity to the drug, for example, may disqualify you from this option. Pregnant patients, those who have had certain surgeries, patients with advanced kidney or liver dysfunction, and other cases may not be suitable for meloxicam.

If you’re unsure whether you can safely take meloxicam, talking to your primary care provider is recommended.

Read on for a more detailed breakdown of the major safety precautions and considerations associated with meloxicam.

Meloxicam Risks and Considerations

Allergic Reactions: These are less common with meloxicam, but still possible. Some patients have reported telltale symptoms of an allergic reaction after taking meloxicam, including hives, facial swelling, breathing difficulties, and more.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Like all other NSAIDs, meloxicam can irritate the lining of the stomach[6] over time. It does this by reducing the mucus layer that shields the stomach lining from stomach acid. Once this occurs, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), ulcers, internal bleeding, and other issues can result.

Cardiovascular Risks: NSAIDs have been shown to increase the risk of cardiac events, which is the technical term for heart attack and stroke.[7] Researchers are still working to uncover exactly how this happens, but they theorize it has to do with an imbalance between prostacyclins (blood clot inhibitors) and thromboxane-A2 (blood clot enablers).

Kidney Health: NSAIDS like meloxicam may cause harm to the kidneys by reducing blood flow.[8] This effect is especially pronounced in people with kidney disease. Older adults are also more vulnerable to this issue. Over time, impaired blood flow can cause kidney dysfunction and/or injury. Staying well-hydrated while on meloxicam is highly recommended.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Other NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen may cause harmful effects when interacting with meloxicam.[9] The same goes for blood thinners like warfarin, SSRIs for depression, and corticosteroid drugs. Disclosing medication and supplement use to your care provider is vital for lowering the risk of harmful drug-drug interactions.

Treatment Is Available for Meloxicam Side Effects

Meloxicam may not be a narcotic, but as established, it can still cause serious harm when used outside of recommended guidelines. If you notice any of the above meloxicam side effects, know that treatment is available to stabilize your condition and prevent issues from occurring in the future.

Whatever medication you intend to take, equipping yourself with as much information as possible on risks, side effects, and abuse potential is key to having a safe experience.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more