M-cam (Meloxicam)

What is M-Cam?

M-Cam (meloxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Meloxicam works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. M-Cam is used to treat pain or inflammation caused byrheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in adults. M-Cam is also used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old. M-Cam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

M-Cam can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance. M-Cam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using M-Cam, especially in older adults. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Medicines similar to meloxicam are contained in many combination medicines. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen. M-Cam can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

M-Cam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using M-Cam, especially in older adults. You should not use M-Cam if you are allergic to meloxicam, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID. To make sure M-Cam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke; a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot; a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding; asthma; kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); liver disease; or fluid retention. Taking M-Cam during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. M-Cam may cause a delay in ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). You should not take M-Cam if you are undergoing fertility treatment, or are otherwise trying to get pregnant. Meloxicam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine. M-Cam is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.

How should I take M-Cam?

Take M-Cam exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition. You may take M-Cam with or without food. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. If a child is taking this medication, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. M-Cam doses are based on weight in children. If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests. Store M-Cam at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking M-Cam?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Avoid taking aspirin while you are taking M-Cam. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or pain medication. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to M-Cam. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

M-Cam side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to M-Cam: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; wheezing or trouble breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath. Stop using M-Cam and call your doctor at once if you have: the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild; shortness of breath (even with mild exertion); swelling or rapid weight gain; signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); kidney problems - little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling. Common M-Cam side effects may include: upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, heartburn; diarrhea, constipation, gas; dizziness; or cold symptoms, flu symptoms. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 

M-Cam dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of M-Cam for Osteoarthritis:

Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
Maintenance dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
Maximum dose: 15 mg orally daily

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
Maintenance dose: 7.5 mg orally once daily
Maximum dose: 15 mg orally daily

Usual Pediatric Dose for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Greater than or equal to 2 years: 0.125 mg/kg orally once daily

Maximum dose: 7.5 mg orally daily

There was no additional benefit demonstrated by increasing the dose above 0.125 mg/kg once daily in clinical trials.

What other drugs will affect M-Cam?

Ask your doctor before using M-Cam if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: cyclosporine; lithium; methotrexate; sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate); a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven)