Meloxicam

[Tiggerlkr]

Hi,I just read that you shouldn't take meloxicam and methotrexate together. I was prescribed the meloxicam before my RA diagnosis. I take 25mg methotrexate and 15mg meloxicam. I presumed since the hospital had a list of my medications this was right. Has anyone else been prescribed both?

[helixhelix]

We can't give medical advice, but all I can say is that I take both MTX and an anti-inflammatory (a different one from you, but equally not advised to take with MTX) prescribed by same doctor at same time....

Among my drugs are several that in an ideal world you shouldn't take together, but I've been told not to worry. When I queried one combination the doctor said my doses weren't high enough to be a problem.

[Tiggerlkr in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks, I appreciate the reply.

[Matilda_1922]

I take meloxicam with MXT. I started on meloxicam before diagnosis of RA. I can't take any other anti inflammatory due to asthma.

[Tiggerlkr in reply to Matilda_1922]

Thanks for the reply.

[Downtime]

I take Brufen retard daily with omeprazole as well as a Mxt. I also read that they shouldn't be taken together but the rheumatologist said it was fine. Together they make my life almost normal.

[nomoreheels]

This is my experience of meloxicam Tiggerlkr. It was the third NSAID I was prescribed (out of five, currently etoricoxib) & took it with both hydroxycloroquine & methotrexate. You'll probably know but it's often said none of the NSAID group are recommended to be taken with low dose MTX, which in the real world we wouldn't need to to but we do if we have inflammation. So, back in RD world, when we're prescribed MTX we're well monitored so should there be any issues & they're relatively minor ones, albeit probably troublesome such as headaches or nausea, that's not to say you'll be affected any more than any of us. I've not had anything to suggest I've responded negatively in 8 years of taking MTX with NSAIDs. Amongst all my meds there are others it's recommended aren't taken with MTX, including leflunomide, yet lots of people are on this double therapy to no ill effect. All NSAIDs carry a warning of increased toxicity when taken with MTX, but it's a fine line between the damage inflammation can cause & controlling it so as long as we report anything of concern & your drug monitoring bloods are within values then you should be able to continue NSAIDs as long as you need them.

If it was your Rheumy who prescribed meloxicam he/she must think you're in need of them but if it wasn't & if you're still concerned after reading your responses then do check with your Rheumy. Be reassured though many of us take NSAIDs with MTX & other DMARDs, some for a long time, 9 years in my case. MTX not only slows down disease progression & joint damage, it also reduces inflammation & in turn pain but sometimes it's not quite enough & we need an NSAID. If it's deemed necessary or considered helpful a Rheumy can prefer to include NSAIDs in a patient's drug regime as a matter of course as mine did, it's quite normal. I would recommend though, if you've not been prescribed one, that a PPI is taken with your meloxicam as all NSAIDs can cause tum trouble.