Is Meloxicam a Narcotic?

Meloxicam is not classified as a narcotic or a controlled substance. Meloxicam is a prescription anti-inflammatory medication used to manage pain and inflammation. People may also wonder if meloxicam is an opioid, but once again, meloxicam is not. Understanding what Meloxicam is and recognizing signs of potential misuse is important. Avenues Recovery provides guidance and support to help individuals and their loved ones identify risks and take the right steps toward safe use and overall well-being.

What is Meloxicam? 

Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory drug approved by the FDA for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, and other medical conditions. The medication prescribed is better known by the brand names Vivlodex, Mobic, and Comfort Pac-Meloxicam. Meloxicam reduces the pain and stiffness often experienced by people with arthritis, caused by swelling of the bones, muscles, and joints. This swelling makes it difficult and painful to move the affected body parts.

Is Meloxicam a Controlled Substance?

Meloxicam is not classified as a controlled substance. It is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation in conditions such as arthritis. While it requires a doctor’s prescription, it is not regulated under controlled substance laws.

Is Meloxicam Addictive? 

Meloxicam is not considered an addictive substance, as one cannot become physically dependent on the drug. However, meloxicam is frequently abused by people who are addicted to other addictive drugs as a means to fuel their addiction. This means that although meloxicam itself is not addictive, it has the potential for abuse.

Can Meloxicam Get You High?

Meloxicam cannot get you high. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing pain and inflammation, not by affecting the brain’s reward or pleasure centers. Unlike narcotics or controlled substances, Meloxicam does not cause euphoria, intoxication, or dependence.

Like any other pain-relief medication, users can sometimes take a larger dose of the medicine in the hope that it will ease their pain further. Many people believe that meloxicam is a narcotic, making it all the more tempting to self-medicate and take more medication than recommended. People who struggle with substance abuse disorder may mix meloxicam with other drugs to increase the immediate pleasurable effects of their substances. 

Side Effects of Meloxicam 

Like many prescribed medications, meloxicam can have some adverse side effects. Meloxicam often causes abdominal pain, so a doctor will usually advise taking the medication with food or drink to mitigate this symptom. Other frequent side effects are anemia (low iron levels) and edema (swelling caused by fluid trapped in bodily tissue), but several other symptoms are less likely to occur.

Some of the symptoms that are rarely found are:

• Headache
• Skin rash
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Chest pains
• Vision changes
• Urine or stool difficulty or changes
• Lethargy and lack of energy
• Edema (swelling of hands or feet)
• Chest pains and difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Weight loss or gain

Meloxicam addiction can exacerbate these side effects and cause them to occur in the extreme. Specifically, abusing meloxicam can lead to kidney issues and bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms, whether you have been following the recommended dose or if you have been abusing the substance, reach out to your doctor immediately for professional guidance on how to proceed.

Signs of Meloxicam Addiction

If you are unsure whether or not you or a loved one may be dependent on or addicted to meloxicam, consider the following variables:

• Are you or your loved one using the prescribed meloxicam medication sooner than expected?
• Are you or your loved one ‘shopping around’ for more meloxicam from different doctors?
• Are you or your loved one stealing meloxicam pills from family and friends?
• Are you or your loved one continuing to consume meloxicam even when not in pain?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to some or all of the questions above, it is likely that you or your loved one is either dependent on meloxicam or has already developed an addiction. If you need to continue taking meloxicam to relieve the pain and discomfort of arthritis, your doctor can prescribe alternative medications such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and Aleve.

If you identify a meloxicam addiction in either yourself or a loved one, reach out for help. Abruptly quitting meloxicam can cause damage to people who have arthritis, so a doctor should be consulted for advice. Your primary care physician can also recommend other medications that are less likely to cause addiction.

Finding Treatment for Meloxicam Addiction

It's important that you or your loved one find a mental health professional to diagnose the addiction, a therapist or mental health counselor for one-on-one therapies, and suitable support groups to start the road to recovery. A reputable drug rehab center can be instrumental in showing you the path to complete sobriety, starting with medical detox to minimize the effects of withdrawal symptoms, one-on-one and group therapies, support groups, and many other alternative, complementary therapies to aid in the recovery process.

At Avenues Recovery, our staff are experts in their fields. We have helped thousands of people break free from their addictions, and we can help you too. No one is beyond help. Our caring and empathetic addiction counselors will guide and support you every step of the way to recovery. Reach out today for a new, drug-free lease on life.

FAQs: Is Meloxicam a Narcotic?

What is Meloxicam used for?

Meloxicam is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by inflammatory conditions. It is most commonly prescribed for forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, helping improve mobility and quality of life.

Is Meloxicam a Muscle Relaxer?

Meloxicam is not a muscle relaxer. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing hormones in the body that cause inflammation and pain. Unlike muscle relaxers, which act on the nervous system to relieve muscle spasms, Meloxicam is primarily prescribed for arthritis-related pain and inflammation.

What is Meloxicam 7.5 mg?

Meloxicam 7.5 mg is not a narcotic. It is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain, stiffness, and inflammation from conditions like arthritis. Unlike narcotics, it does not have addictive properties and is not regulated as a controlled substance. As opposed to controlled substances, signs of meloxicam on a drug test will only show if the test is designed to look for it.

Is meloxicam 15 mg a narcotic? 

Meloxicam 15 mg is not classified as a narcotic. It belongs to the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is commonly prescribed to ease pain and inflammation, particularly in arthritis and similar conditions. Unlike opioid medications, it does not affect the brain’s opioid receptors and is not regarded as addictive. The dosage strength does not change its classification as a non-narcotic NSAID.

Is Meloxicam a Strong Painkiller?

Meloxicam is considered a moderate pain reliever, not a strong painkiller. It belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class and is mainly prescribed for arthritis-related pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Unlike strong painkillers such as opioids, Meloxicam is not designed for severe or acute pain but is effective for managing chronic inflammatory conditions.