Meloxicam and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Pun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I’ve been taking meloxicam for 4 years. Helped a little with foot pain but I’ve gained 45 lbs and could not understand why since I hadn’t changed my eating habits. I’ve been telling doctors about this and they just suggested dieting. One even said just stop eating completely and take supplements like that’s so easy. Not ONCE did they mention weight gain as a side effect of this drug. Not to mention the cardiac and circulatory dangers. Plus internal bleeding that can occur. I’ve learned the hard way to just quit trusting doctors to tell you anything. Be your own health advocate and read everything thing you can find when you’re prescribed any drug."

• Fan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "Meloxicam worked fabulously for the osteoarthritis in my knees, elbow, and shoulder. I noticed that I kept gaining weight so easily even with cutting back on my diet. It was unusual as I can usually maintain or lose weight. I looked up the side effects since I couldn't pinpoint any other change and read that meloxicam can cause rapid weight gain. Since I cannot afford the extra weight with the bad knees, I am going to have to stop using it."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2017

Meloxicam for Osteoarthritis "Started taking this medication about two weeks ago. I gained weight and swelling in hand, legs, feet, and ankles. Belly swollen too. I am stopping this medication immediately before something more serious happens. This happened before while on this medication."

• Mis...
• September 30, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "For years I suffered pain in my back, hips, right knee, shoulders, and feet. I was told I had osteoarthritis and placed on numerous different medicines to no avail. I switched doctors and learned I had rheumatoid arthritis. He placed me on Mobic for two weeks until I could see a rheumatologist. Within 24 hours, I could tell a difference. My pain was minimal, and my mobility increased tremendously without excruciating pain. My rheumatologist added methotrexate along with Mobic, and I feel like a new woman! This medication literally changed my life and mentality. My 7-year-old son can't believe mommy can get out and play with him again. The only side effect that I have noticed is weight gain. I'm hoping to control that eventually."

• Mac...
• October 5, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I was prescribed Mobic for C-3-4-5 herniated disc repair, plate screws, and fusion post-surgery meds. This was a horrible drug for me. I swelled in my face, hands, and feet, so much so I looked like a different person. Water retention maximized! Then, complicating matters, is the weight gain! I gained 15 pounds in 2 months! I am a petite 110 lb woman. The added weight raised my blood pressure and I needed to see a cardiologist and get prescription meds to return me back to where I started! I would NOT recommend this medication. Since then, my pain is managed and monitored by prescription pain meds not NSAIDs."

• cho...
• September 5, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I've been on meloxicam twice. The first time was 15 mg. It helped the pain, but I had a lot of problems with water retention, and I gained 15 lbs. I went off the med because of the side effects. It took 2 months, but I lost the 15 lbs. My new doctor put me back on it, but at 7.5 mg. I am again going off it because of significant water retention, and I have gained the 15 lbs back. To me, the swelling of my hands and feet from water retention and the weight gain are not worth the benefits for my arthritis. I'll stick with Aleve."

• JBe...
• October 22, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "I am so glad to see these reviews. I thought I was going nuts with some of the side effects of Mobic. I have been taking it for about a month now. I was given this med for inflammation due to severe plantar fasciitis. It has done nothing for my pain. I have to take it at night because it literally makes me feel high for some reason. I get vision issues from it and the weight gain, about 10/12 pounds since I started taking it. I have always held my weight well, and then suddenly gaining, that's what I'm linking it to. I just haven't felt 100% since I have been on this. I don't think this is going to be for me. I know my doctor wanted to use this instead of taking Advil, but way too many side effects for my liking. I have had stomach issues and urinary issues as well. I tried it, and I don't recommend it, especially if you are sensitive to medicine anyway. I had to stop Lyrica for the same reason, too many side effects. I was using that for fibromyalgia."

• Lga...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I agree it's a miracle drug. In my case, I've had 2 spine surgeries due to stenosis. After 6 years post-op for spinal fusion, I had an excruciating pain in my mid-buttock. My pain doctor talked with my surgeon and decided Mobic was the answer, and it was for a year. My biggest complaint was weight gain: 20 lbs in one year of using, so I stopped, and the pain is back and worse than before. I'll try one every other day to see if I can lose weight, but I can't function without it."

• Run...
• October 2, 2013

For Tendonitis "Benefits did not outweigh the side effects experienced. I am a runner with tendonitis in my left foot. My doctor prescribed meloxicam, 15 mg, to reduce inflammation and manage pain. I took it for a month, and I experienced side effects like dizziness, stomach problems, and inexplicable weight gain (despite the fact that I was swimming, biking, and slowly starting to run again). The small reduction in pain was not worth the side effects, so I am back to about 800 mg of ibuprofen a day."

• Bot...
• October 17, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "Injury in my left glut = sciatica. Pain strikes without warning and literally makes me gasp and grab onto something. Then it's a constant throbbing/sharp pain shooting from butt to little toe. GOOD: 15 mg at bedtime; 3 days = NO pain. No pain getting out of bed, no cringing at a flight of stairs, no having to sit in Epsom salt baths until I'm a prune - NO pain. BAD: I had never been constipated. Never. Until Mobic. I needed softeners, fiber, and finally laxative = limited success. UGLY: real 10 lb weight gain. Miserable/want to faint 1000 calories a day for 3 weeks = 1 lb loss. 2 weeks off Mobic = all weight off but pain is back. 600 mg ibuprofen = useless. So my choice is fat or in pain. Harder decision than you think. Maybe Tramadol?"

• LeA...
• November 4, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "On day 2 right now (15 mg-1 daily) and 3 hours after taking it, I'm feeling very anxious, asthma-like symptoms (I do have asthma), and nausea. NOT continuing and will be calling the doctor. I'll be using Aleve and PT to manage my arthritis that just flared and got diagnosed. I can't take a Z-Pak either as it is too strong on my stomach. 41 years old and healthy. Also gained 5 pounds in 2 days! Not normal to gain like that as my weight has been consistent lately... lost 60 lbs last year. Very scary reading these posts and info. I feel like we are just being poisoned with all these drugs!"

• BP1...
• August 12, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I was placed on 15 mg/day of meloxicam for inflammation of sore muscle, related groin pain, and instability of my SI joint. I only took it for a week but stopped because of the side effects: 5 lb weight gain, excessive hair loss, etc."

• Row...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "I started taking this medicine a week ago and did see a slight positive change with my joint pain. Still had pain in my wrists. Have had stomach pains, and what I thought was just MAJOR bloating was actually me gaining 10 pounds in 7 days. It was hard for me to squeeze into my jeans this morning, so I knew something was up! Will definitely stop taking this pill! Not worth gaining 10 pounds per week."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been taking meloxicam for about a month now, and wow, what an improvement in my RA. Before meloxicam, my legs ached, my fingers were so stiff and puffy, my rings didn't fit. I feel so much better, I can't believe it. I have not experienced any weight gain or any unpleasant side effects."

• inm...
• January 25, 2010

Meloxicam for Osteoarthritis "It made me gain weight, about 40 lbs, and cause acne. Other than that, it worked very well for my osteoarthritis in my neck. I have a fusion and have not been the same since. This medicine helped me with my pain. I got my life back. I still can't do everything, but my pain is so much better!"

• Lal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have chronic shoulder pain. My doctor prescribed this medication, meloxicam, and I have been taking it once a day for the past 5 months. It did help with the pain, but I noticed I'm gaining weight even though I eat very healthy, am active, and have been able to maintain my weight throughout my life. I'm stopping taking this med and will seek a more sustainable solution."

• BF1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 9, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This drug is a lifesaver for me. I have lupus and RA. I see a lot of people on here complaining about gaining weight. I actually lost weight when I began to take it, 30 lbs. My inflammation numbers, CRP and Sed Rate, were 3 times what they were supposed to be. I recently did find out the hard way that you do gain weight with this medication if you are taking a blood pressure medication with a diuretic in it (HCTZ and others), it causes swelling. You shouldn't be taking this NSAID with any diuretics, so talk to your Dr. about that."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "My doctor prescribed for back/shoulder/neck pain. 7.5 mg. It helped tremendously with the pain, but the headaches were horrible and my 5 ft frame that weighed 115 ballooned to 127 lbs. I tossed it after that."

• JJo...
• September 5, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Male, age 73. Meloxicam 7.5. I have developed a rash and itch after six days, weight gain, and decreased urination. The rash and itch, according to the side effects description, can become severe. I am discontinuing its use."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Tendonitis "My doctor prescribed this for a month to see if it helped with shoulder pain. Not sure what the pain is. My physical therapist (for another issue) thinks it's frozen shoulder. It did help for a few days, but not in a lasting way. And I've gained weight in the one-month period - not sure how much to be enough to really notice. Although I filled the prescription again, I'm not planning to take it. Doesn't make enough difference to put on any more weight!"

• Twi...
• January 30, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "60 yrs old and have severe arthritis in both hands. Difficulty holding objects, joint pain, swelling, and pain. This drug did absolutely nothing to relieve any of this. After 4 weeks I have experienced a lot of weight gain, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia. Prior to taking Mobic, I was okay. Epsom salts do more than this drug with no side effects."

• Jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "My husband's knee replacement failed 4 years ago. He has been taking meloxicam ever since both knee replacements in 2015. He had rectal bleeding this summer, and we went through a cancer scare, but after the colonoscopy, the doctor told him to try only taking the meloxicam every other day, 1/2 a pill at the most. Now his osteoarthritis is showing him how bad off he really is. Last night, he admitted to me that he had bleeding from the rectum yesterday. His doctor told him no one has died from osteoarthritis, but they have from internal bleeding. He also gained about 25 pounds since his knee replacements. That is when he started meloxicam. I didn’t know weight gain is a side effect of this pill. He will lose his part-time, well-paying job that he loves, our home, because he won’t be able to do yard work and will be in so much pain. I am afraid he won’t really stop taking it. If you love your wife or husband - don’t ever start this pill."

• Amo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 14, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I started taking Meloxicam about 7 years ago for knee issues and herniated discs in my back, 15 mg per day. I started gaining weight pretty steadily despite zero diet or exercise changes. Since starting Meloxicam, I have gained about 55 lbs on my 5'4 frame. I assumed I must be eating more than I realized, or maybe it was age. But this week my RX ran out, and I forgot to fill it for a couple of days. I have lost 5 lbs in 4 days without trying. Still, my Dr. insists that it isn't related to Meloxicam. I know that it is, but they won't tell you this! I'm going to try to go off of it. At this point, I can't help but wonder if the Meloxicam is only offsetting the pain I'm having from gaining so much weight!"

• Pla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2017

For Tendonitis "While my pain subsided, the side effects were awful. My tongue swelled up, I gained 4 pounds in a week, and am seriously retaining water. I got the okay from my doctor to discontinue yesterday and am looking forward to feeling normal again. Not worth the side effects, in my opinion. I'd rather take ibuprofen."

• Jed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2021

For Pain "Doctor prescribed this to help with some of my severe chronic pain in my hip, knee, and foot. At first, I was amazed. The pain was eased within a few days. However, I gained 8 pounds in seven days with no changes to my diet. Now it has been 30 days, and I’m about 12 pounds up from my original weight. Not sure that this is worth the risk and additional weight. I am going to talk to my doctor about some alternatives. Disappointed! Pain relief was so good, but can’t afford to gain more weight :("