Can You Take Ibuprofen with Meloxicam? Risks and Side Effects

Ibuprofen and meloxicam are two commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis or minor muscle aches. They are both NSAIDs and COX inhibitor drugs, so combining them can lead to serious side effects.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is an NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation from menstrual cramps, muscle aches, headaches, and arthritis. It’s a COX cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, a drug that interferes with COX enzymes to reduce the production of prostaglandins or lipid compounds that cause pain and inflammation.

Ibuprofen is widely available in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) versions and sold under generic and brand names like Motrin. Combination cold and flu medications may contain ibuprofen as an ingredient to treat pain and fever. Some opioid pain medications also use ibuprofen to relieve inflammation.

Ibuprofen is generally safe and well-tolerated. It was released in 1974 in prescription-only versions, but it’s since been available OTC in pharmacies. Most ibuprofen options are tablets and capsules, but liquid suspensions are also available.

What Is Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is a prescription-only NSAID that’s sold under brand names like Mobic. Over 9 million people take Meloxicam each year.[1] Like ibuprofen, meloxicam is a COX inhibitor that blocks the production of prostaglandins to relieve pain.

There are no generic versions of meloxicam on the market. It comes in tablet and liquid suspension forms.

Ibuprofen and Meloxicam Side Effects

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

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

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

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

Long-Term Risks of Meloxicam and Ibuprofen

Meloxicam and ibuprofen are pain medications that are taken as needed, not regularly. Neither drug is intended for long-term use, as it can increase the risk of adverse effects like gastric ulcers or organ damage. In addition to these risks, each drug has some unique risks of its own.

Ibuprofen has a lower gastrointestinal bleeding risk, but both meloxicam and ibuprofen can cause bleeding.[4] Using either drug long-term can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with existing heart problems.

NSAIDs have the potential for kidney damage, including meloxicam and ibuprofen, but there’s a higher risk if you have kidney problems already. Liver damage isn’t a big risk with either drug.

Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Overdose Risk

If you take too much meloxicam or ibuprofen, you can experience an overdose. The overdose symptoms include:[5]

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

NSAID overdoses require immediate medical attention. While these aren’t usually life-threatening, there can be complications like permanent organ damage from high doses.

Can I Take Meloxicam and Ibuprofen Together?

Generally, drugs in the same class shouldn’t be combined without a doctor’s recommendation. Meloxicam and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs, so they can have dangerous interactions if you take them together.

If you combine meloxicam and ibuprofen, you won’t get more effective pain relief, but you will increase the risk of side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding.[6]

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’re taking ibuprofen, it’s best to wait until it’s out of your system before taking meloxicam. This takes about 6 hours., but drug elimination times can vary. [8] Talk to your doctor about when it’s safe for you to take ibuprofen after taking meloxicam.

Can Ibuprofen and Meloxicam Be Abused?

NSAIDs like meloxicam and ibuprofen don’t cause euphoria like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, so they have a low abuse risk. They’re not controlled substances, either.

That doesn’t mean either drug can’t be misused, however. It’s possible for people to misuse NSAIDs for different reasons than getting high, such as getting pain relief. Higher doses, more frequent doses, or combinations of meloxicam and ibuprofen won’t provide better pain relief, but they will increase the risk of adverse effects.

In some cases, NSAIDs are used for intentional overdoses. Some drugs that contain ibuprofen may be abused, such as narcotic pain relievers with an ibuprofen ingredient or cold and flu medication with codeine. The purpose isn’t to take more ibuprofen, but the high doses can increase the risk of adverse effects.

Don’t Combine Ibuprofen and Meloxicam

Ibuprofen and meloxicam are NSAID pain relievers that are usually well tolerated and safe for pain as needed, but they’re in the same drug class and can have serious side effects if you combine them – including organ damage or gastrointestinal bleeding.