05 Jan 2022
Diclofenac and Meloxicam are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that treat pain and inflammation.
Diclofenac And Its Working
Diclofenac is a medication sold under the brand name Voltaren, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication primarily used to treat pain and inflammatory illnesses, including gout.
It is an OTC medication you can even buy diclofenac over the counter from online pharmacy.
Its working mechanism functions by lowering the levels of hormones in the body that induce inflammation and discomfort (Gan, Tong J).
Meloxicam And Its Working
Meloxicam, sold as Mobic, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat pain and irritation caused by inflammation and enlargement, and hardness in the joints.
This medication works by preventing the synthetic Cyclooxygenase protein from doing its job, resulting in pain and inflammation are caused by prostaglandins (Seedher, N. and Bhatia, S., 2005)
How To Take Diclofenac?
Diclofenac is a medication that can be ingested with the help of water or even milk as it might nullify the discomfort in the stomach.
This mediation can be taken with or with food or any snack. Ingest the whole medicine do not crush or break the drug (Todd, P.A. and Sorkin, E.M., 1988).
How To Take Meloxicam?
Meloxicam can be taken with or without food and is recommended to take at a fixed time every day.
But do not forget the directions and the prescription provided by the medical expert (Davies, Neal M., and Neil M. Skjodt).
Forms And Strength of Diclofenac
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Form
- Diclofenac is available in pills, capsules, suppositories, slow-release tablets, and capsules. These medications are considered prescription-only medications.
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Strength
- Diclofenac potassium packet
- 50 milligrams per single-dose packet (generic, Cambia)
- When combined with water, it delivers a 50-mg dosage.
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Tablet
- 50 milligrams (generic)
Forms And Strength Of Meloxicam
- Form: This medicine can be measured via capsules, pills, or injections.
- Strength: Available in strengths 7.5 mg and 15mg.
Dosage of Diclofenac
Oral administration
In the case of acute pain, try the following:
- Initial dosage: Adults and children aged 12 and above should take 25 milligrams (mg) four times a day.
- Pediatric dosage: The doctor must establish the dosage for children under the age of 12.
Dosage of Meloxicam
The dosage of Meloxicam varies in the case of adults and pediatrics; however, For safety reasons, the measurement of medicine for children should be discussed with a professional. The dose for adults is as follows:
- Initial dosage: This medicine's starting dose is 15mg, which can be increased to 25mg with a doctor's approval.
- Pediatrics: the clinical professional should take precautions about intake and health.
Side Effects Of Diclofenac
The side effects of this medication can be adverse as well as common. However, in any case, consult the medical practitioner.
Adverse Side Effects Include
If you notice any of these effects, contact the doctor as fast as possible.
- Bleeding gums
- Acid or sour stomach
- Blood in the pee or feces
- Bloody or black stools, tarry stools
- Chest discomfort and chills
- Coughing up clay-colored feces
- Constipation with hazy urine
- Urine that is dark in color
- Dizziness and fatigue
Common Side Effects Include
These side effects might fade in a few days. If not, then consult the medical expert.
- Burning, crawling, itching
- Numbness, prickling, or tingling feelings
- Blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
- Blurred vision
- Consternation shift in consciousness
- Discouragement
- Sense of dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness upon rapidly rising from a sleeping or seated posture
Side Effects Of Meloxicam
The side effects can be both common and harmful. In any case, however, seek medical advice.
Adverse Side Effects Include
These symptoms are uncommon, but they can have serious consequences. The following are the symptoms:
- Angina pectoris
- A stroke, a seizure, or epilepsy
- Damage to the liver
- Swelling or inflammation.
If you come across any of these issues, see a doctor as soon as possible. Contact the health line if the problems become unbearable.
Common Side Effects Include
- Tiredness or exhaustion
- Pain in the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting are common side effects.
- rashes
These are some of the side effects that may or may not occur.
Who Cannot Take Diclofenac?
Do not consume Diclofenac if you are undergoing the following conditions:
- Do not take this medication if allergic to NSAIDs.
- Do not consume this medication if suffering from any diseases related to the heart, kidney, or alcohol issues which can create an adverse situation.
- Do not consume this drug or consult the medical practitioner if suffering from asthma.
Who Cannot Take Meloxicam?
Do not consume Meloxicam if undergoing any of these conditions, namely:
- Any heart-related issue
- Kidney or liver conditions
- Asthma or difficulty in breathing
- Fever or any flu
- Skin blisters
- Inflammation in any part of the body
- Hives
This prescription is considered a high-risk drug since it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events, and it can be fatal if used by someone who already has a heart condition.
Medical Conditions Of Diclofenac
- Overdose: symptoms of overdosing on Diclofenac can be vomiting, nausea, breathlessness, urine problems, stomach ache, and furthermore. So, it is not advised to take Diclofenac more than prescribed as it can be lethal. In any condition, contact the medical practitioner.
- Alcohol: do not consume Diclofenac with alcohol or tobacco as it can lead to adverse effects such as bleeding stomach. Consult the medical expert for further details.
- Pregnancy: It is not advised to consume Diclofenac if pregnant as it can harm the unborn child. However, do consult the doctor in any situation.
Medical Conditions Of Meloxicam
- Overdose: overdosing on Meloxicam can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and severe issues, namely breathlessness, vomiting, fatigue, and internal bleeding. Thus, it is not advisable to take more than what is prescribed.
- Alcohol: it is strictly not instructed to take Meloxicam with any alcohol. This can lead to severe issues such as intestinal bleeding and increase the risk of stomach ulcers.
- Pregnancy: it is not advised to take Meloxicam when pregnant as it can be harmful and can cause infertility.
Study: Diclofenac vs Meloxicam
Research: this study was conducted by CHU Trousseau, Service de Rhumatologie, Tours, France.
Aim: To compare and evaluate the efficiency of Meloxicam and Diclofenac in patients dealing with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine.
Method: This was a 14 days examination of both the medication where In the subjects were given 7.5 mg of Meloxicam and 100mg diclofenac in the whole process.
Result: There was no such significant difference in both the drugs. However, the results detected that Meloxicam was comparatively more tolerable as compared to Diclofenac (Valat JP, Accardo S, Reginster JY, Wouters M, Hettich M, Lieu PL).
Conclusion
Both Meloxicam and Diclofenac are medications that treat pain and inflammation-related issues. However, Meloxicam also treats rheumatoid arthritis. As detected in the study above, Meloxicam was considerably more tolerable as compared to Diclofenac. But the results also noticed both showed equally significant outcomes in treating the pain.
