Does Meloxicam help with headaches?
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 help with headaches?
Yes, Meloxicam can help with headaches. Although it is not intended for headaches and Meloxicam is more commonly used for the management of arthritis pain, it can still help your headaches.
This is because Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, like Ibuprofen, and it does work in the same way (1,2). In fact, it is stronger than Ibuprofen. So, Meloxicam should control your headache.
Efficacy of Meloxicam for headaches
Meloxicam may not be effective for all types of headaches, or for any type of headache in some individuals. It may be beneficial for certain types, such as tension headaches or headaches caused by inflammation in the neck or surrounding muscles.
These types of headaches are often associated with muscle tension and can benefit from the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of meloxicam. However, it’s important to note that meloxicam may not be effective for all types of headaches.
It may not provide significant relief for migraines, which are characterized by throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and other symptoms.
Migraines often require specific migraine medications for effective management and may require an addition of certain supplements, like Magnesium supplements.
It’s also important to note that every individual may respond differently to medication, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a headache specialist, to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for your specific type of headache.
Potential side effects of Meloxicam when used for headaches
Meloxicam is associated with some side effects. These include (1,3):
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach upset
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
Serious side effects of Meloxicam which may require immediate medical attention include:
- Severe stomach or abdominal pain: This could be a sign of a serious condition such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding.
- Black, tarry stools or blood in the urine: These can indicate bleeding in the digestive system or urinary tract, which requires prompt medical attention.
- Allergic reactions: In rare cases, meloxicam can cause severe allergic reactions, characterized by rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face or throat, and difficulty breathing.
- Liver problems: Signs of liver problems may include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, persistent abdominal pain, or unusual fatigue.
What to do if Meloxicam does not help your headache?
If Meloxicam does not help your headache for some reason, try other NSAIDs. Ibuprofen is normally used and is considered a light NSAID. However, Naproxen is considered quite effective for the management of headaches (4,5).
You can try taking it with food to help mitigate gastrointestinal side effects. There are other painkillers that can be used for headaches, like Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Ponstel (Mefenamic acid).
Make sure you reach out to your healthcare provider if your headaches persist. You could have a migraine, which is more effectively managed by prescription medications.
References
- Ghlichloo I, Gerriets V. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31613522. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547742/
- Noble S, Balfour JA. Meloxicam. Drugs. 1996 Mar;51(3):424-30; discussion 431-32. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199651030-00007. PMID: 8882380. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8882380/
- National Library of Medicine. Meloxicam: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2022 [cited 2023 Mar 7]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601242.html
- Pardutz A, Schoenen J. NSAIDs in the Acute Treatment of Migraine: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Data. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010 Jun 17;3(6):1966-1987. doi: 10.3390/ph3061966. PMID: 27713337; PMCID: PMC4033962. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27713337/
- Affaitati G, Martelletti P, Lopopolo M, Tana C, Massimini F, Cipollone F, Lapenna D, Giamberardino MA, Costantini R. Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Symptomatic Treatment of Episodic Headache. Pain Pract. 2017 Mar;17(3):392-401. doi: 10.1111/papr.12461. Epub 2016 May 21. PMID: 27207273. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27207273/
