Does Meloxicam cause weight loss?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Meloxicam cause weight loss?
No, Meloxicam is not associated with weight loss. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Weight changes, including weight loss or weight gain, are not listed as common or rare side effects of Meloxicam in the official prescribing information (1). However, it is possible for certain individuals to experience changes in appetite or weight while taking the medication.
If you are concerned about weight changes while using Meloxicam or any other medication, it is advisable to discuss it with your healthcare provider.
It is also important to remember that maintaining a healthy weight involves a combination of factors, including diet, exercise, lifestyle habits, and individual variations.
The relationship between Meloxicam-induced gastrointestinal side effects and weight loss
Meloxicam, being an NSAID, is known for causing gastrointestinal side effects – which can indirectly lead to weight loss. These side effects commonly include: (2,3)
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Gas and bloating
- Loss of appetite
NSAIDs, including Meloxicam, can also cause some rare and serious side effects, like
- Stomach ulcers
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Perforation of the stomach or intestines
- Black or bloody stools
- Severe abdominal pain
NSAIDs typically cause these side effects because of their mechanism of action. These medications work by inhibiting certain enzymes in the body called COX enzymes. These enzymes play a role in producing substances called prostaglandins that help protect the lining of the stomach and intestines. (4,5)
When NSAIDs block these enzymes, they reduce the production of protective prostaglandins. As a result, the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes more vulnerable to irritation and damage from stomach acid and other digestive juices.
When these side effects occur, they may lead to a decrease in appetite or make it uncomfortable for people to eat normally. As a result, people may unintentionally eat less, which can contribute to weight loss.
Additionally, the GI side effects of Meloxicam, if severe or persistent, can affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the food. This impaired absorption may result in inadequate nutrient intake, which can also contribute to weight loss over time.
However, it’s important to note that weight loss as a direct result of Meloxicam is not common.
What to do if you’re losing a significant amount of weight while taking Meloxicam?
If you are experiencing a significant amount of weight loss while taking Meloxicam, it is important to consult your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your condition and determine if the weight loss is related to Meloxicam or other factors.
Your healthcare provider may recommend adjusting your dosage, switching to a different medication, or addressing any underlying health issues that may be contributing to the weight loss. Just make sure you don’t stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor first.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012–. Meloxicam. 2020 Jan 10. PMID: 31643601. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548278
2.-
Peng S, Duggan A. Gastrointestinal adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2005 Mar;4(2):157-69. doi: 10.1517/14740338.4.2.157. PMID: 15794710. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15794710/
3.-
Giercksky KE, Huseby G, Rugstad HE. Epidemiology of NSAID-related gastrointestinal side effects. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1989;163:3-8. doi: 10.3109/00365528909091168. PMID: 2683027. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2683027/
4.-
Engelhardt G. Pharmacology of meloxicam, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with an improved safety profile through preferential inhibition of COX-2. Br J Rheumatol. 1996 Apr;35 Suppl 1:4-12. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/35.suppl_1.4. PMID: 8630636. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8630636/
5.-
Ghlichloo I, Gerriets V. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31613522. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547742
