Can You Take Ibuprofen with Meloxicam? Interactions and Risks

Ibuprofen and meloxicam are two widely available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat minor pain and inflammation from muscle aches, menstrual cramps, and osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Because they are both COX inhibitors and NSAIDs, they shouldn’t be combined.

Learn more about the interactions between ibuprofen and meloxicam, the risks and side effects, and how to be safe with these medications.

Key Points

• Ibuprofen and meloxicam are two NSAIDs that can be used to treat pain and inflammation
• Both drugs have similar side effects, including diarrhea, stomach pain, and possible kidney damage.
• NSAIDs like ibuprofen and meloxicam can have serious side effects, such as organ damage and gastrointestinal bleeding.

What Is Meloxicam?

Meloxicam, known by many brands, including Mobic, is a prescription NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation. Over 9 million people take Meloxicam each year.[1]

This drug is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, which interferes with COX enzymes to reduce the production of prostaglandins. These lipid compounds cause pain and inflammation, so blocking their production can relieve mild pain.

Unlike other NSAIDs, meloxicam is only available with a prescription and comes in tablet or liquid suspension forms.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Like meloxicam, ibuprofen is an NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation. It’s also a COX inhibitor that blocks the production of prostaglandins and treats pain from menstrual cramps, headaches, arthritis, and other conditions.

Ibuprofen is available as both a prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug under brand names like Motrin. It may be combined with cold and flu medications to relieve pain associated with these conditions. Some opioid pain medications have an ibuprofen component.

For many people, ibuprofen is generally safe and easy to obtain. It was first released as a prescription in 1974, but it was then available OTC in pharmacies in the 1980s. It comes in tablets, capsules, and liquid suspension forms.

Ibuprofen and Meloxicam Side Effects

Ibuprofen and meloxicam are in the same drug class and have a similar mechanism of action, so they have similar side effects:[2]

• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Itching
• Heartburn
• Ringing in the ears
• Drowsiness

Both drugs have a risk of serious side effects, including:[3]

• Serious allergic reaction
• Cloudy or discolored urine
• Fluid buildup in the extremities
• Flu-like symptoms
• Back pain
• Liver damage
• Impaired kidney function
• Heart attack
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Stomach ulcers

Long-Term Risks of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen

Both meloxicam and ibuprofen are used on an as-needed basis. Using either drug for long periods increases the risk of long-term effects like organ damage or gastric ulcers, but they have some unique risks as well.

Both ibuprofen and meloxicam carry a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, with meloxicam potentially having a lower risk due to its COX-2 selectivity, but bleeding is still possible with both.[4] Long-term use of meloxicam or ibuprofen can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in people who have heart problems.

All NSAIDs can damage the kidneys, including meloxicam and ibuprofen, and there’s a higher risk if you have existing kidney problems. Liver damage is rare with meloxicam and ibuprofen, but prolonged or high doses of NSAIDs can potentially cause liver damage.

Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Overdose Risk

Meloxicam and ibuprofen have a risk of overdose with similar overdose symptoms:[5]

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Cardiac arrest
• Coma

In the case of an NSAID overdose, get medical attention as soon as possible. NSAID overdoses aren’t usually life-threatening, but they can have complications like permanent damage to the kidneys or liver.

Can I Take Ibuprofen With Meloxicam Together?

Two NSAIDs, such as meloxicam and ibuprofen, can have dangerous interactions and shouldn’t be combined without your doctor’s approval.

If you combine meloxicam and ibuprofen, you won’t have better pain control, but you are at a higher risk of side effects.[6] Gastrointestinal bleeding and other gastrointestinal effects are much more likely when you combine NSAIDs.

Some symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding include:[7]

• Black or tarry stools
• Bright red blood in vomit or stool
• Vomit-like coffee grounds
• Dark blood in stool

When Can I Take Ibuprofen After Taking Meloxicam?

If you’ve taken ibuprofen, wait until its effects wear off before taking meloxicam, which can take about 6 hours.[8] However, the drug elimination time can vary, so use caution and speak to your healthcare provider.

Can Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Be Abused?

Neither meloxicam nor ibuprofen cause euphoria like prescription opioids or stimulants, so they’re regarded as having a low risk of abuse. They’re not controlled substances.

However, meloxicam and ibuprofen can be misused. Usually, people misuse NSAIDs not to get high but to get better pain relief. However, taking higher, more frequent, or a combination of meloxicam or ibuprofen won’t relieve pain.

NSAIDs may be used for intentional overdoses. Ibuprofen is sometimes combined with opioids like codeine for pain relief, but it is not commonly abused for recreational purposes.

Don’t Combine Meloxicam and Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen and meloxicam are two NSAID pain relievers that are generally safe and well-tolerated. However, they’re in the same drug class and can have serious drug interactions when combined, including gastrointestinal bleeding or liver and kidney damage.