Ibuprofen and meloxicam are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that treat inflammation and pain.
Meloxicam is a stronger anti-inflammatory than ibuprofen so it’s only taken once a day.
It is available by prescription only, while ibuprofen is available over-the-counter (OTC).
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Your healthcare provider might recommend meloxicam or ibuprofen to treat arthritis pain andinflammation.
NSAIDs decrease the production ofprostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are substances that promote pain, fever, and inflammation throughout the body.
By blocking prostaglandins, these symptoms are reduced.
Meloxicam and ibuprofen are both considered non-selective NSAIDs.
Non-selective means they inhibit two types ofcyclooxygenase enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2.
Blocking both enzymes has advantages and disadvantages.
Dosage
It is recommended that both drugs be taken at the lowest effective doses.
Differences
Just as they are similar, ibuprofen and meloxicam are different.
Healthcare providers will sometimes prescribe ibuprofen in combination with paracetamol (acetaminophen) or acompound analgesic.
Six of the 13 studies showed that NSAIDs were more effective than a placebo for pain intensity.
In the end, the researchers determined there were no efficacy differences between different NSAIDs.
The risk increases with higher doses.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have symptoms ofheartburnorindigestionand are taking one of these medications.
Is It Safe to Take Ibuprofen and Meloxicam Together?
Taking meloxicam and ibuprofen together doesn’t add a benefit.
You should only take one NSAID pain reliever at a time unless your healthcare provider says otherwise.
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Side effectsare common with medications.
Most are temporary and will go away after taking the medication for a few weeks.
You should contact your healthcare provider about serious side effects right away.
Summary
Meloxicam and ibuprofen are both effective treatments for treating pain and joint inflammation.
However, these medicines do come with risks, including side effects and the potential for medical complications.
For over-the-counter NSAIDs, verify you take them according to the labels' instructions.
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