Etodolac vs Meloxicam – Comparison

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Etodolac vs Meloxicam - Comparison of Side Effects & Uses a

Etodolac vs Meloxicam – detailed comparison:

Etodolac

It is a medication that belongs to the group of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It can be found under the following brand names – Lodine and Lodine XL.

The medication works by blocking substances called prostaglandins which cause pain and inflammation.

Uses

This prescription medication is used to treat pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Dosage

For rheumatoid arthritis, the usual recommended adult dose is 300 mg orally 2 to 3 times per day. The total recommended daily dose should not exceed 1200 mg.

For osteoarthritis, the usual recommended adult dose is 300 mg orally 2 to 3 times per day. The total daily dose should not exceed 1200 mg.

The effect of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug lasts for an average duration of 4 to 12 hours.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • weakness;
  • indigestion;
  • dizziness;
  • stomach pain;
  • a runny nose;
  • vomiting;
  • a sore throat;
  • nausea;
  • rash;
  • gas;
  • headaches;
  • constipation;
  • itching;
  • diarrhea.

Rare side effects may include:

  • rapid weight gain;
  • changes in the vision;
  • bloody or tarry stools;
  • shortness of breath;
  • tired feeling;
  • coughing up vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • trouble concentrating;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • rapid heart rate;
  • painful or difficult urination;
  • loss of appetite;
  • clay-colored stools;
  • pale skin;
  • upper stomach pain;
  • burning in your eyes;
  • swelling of your feet, face, tongue, or ankles;
  • a red skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling;
  • little or no urinating.

To make sure that this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is safe for you, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

  • a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
  • asthma;
  • kidney disease;
  • a history of stroke, heart attack, or blood clot;
  • if you smoke tobacco;
  • if you are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke (second-hand smoking);
  • liver disease;
  • type 2 diabetes Mellitus;
  • fluid retention;
  • high blood pressure;
  • heart disease;
  • high LDL and total cholesterol levels.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

  • a blood thinner, like – warfarin (Coumadin);
  • eliquis;
  • an antidepressant, like – duloxetine (Cymbalta), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), or venlafaxine (Effexor);
  • Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
  • steroids (prednisone and others);
  • a diuretic (water pills), like – furosemide (Lasix);
  • Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
  • an ACE inhibitor, like – captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), fosinopril (Monopril), or ramipril (Altace);
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like – flurbiprofen (Ansaid), aspirin, diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), ketorolac (Toradol), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), nabumetone (Relafen), or piroxicam (Feldene);
  • Digoxin (a medication used to treat various heart conditions).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

It is not known exactly whether this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug passes into breast milk or if it could negatively affect the infant. Therefore, do not use it without telling your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding.

More importantly, it may be harmful to an unborn baby, especially if you are taking this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug during the last three months of pregnancy.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication since alcohol can increase the risk of side effects, such as – stomach bleeding.

Meloxicam

It is the name of a medication that belongs to a family of medications collectively called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It can be found under the brand name of Mobic.

It works by blocking the action of cyclooxygenase (COX). This enzyme is involved in the production of prostaglandins – the chemicals responsible for causing inflammation and pain in the body.

Uses

It is used to relieve the swelling and pain of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Also, this prescription medication is used to treat ankylosing spondylitis.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 0.09 mg/lb body weight only on the first day of treatment. Then, according to individual response, the patient should take the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.

Important note – your doctor may prescribe you another medication for you to take along with this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to protect your stomach from irritation.

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Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness;
  • upset stomach;
  • nausea;
  • diarrhea;
  • edema;
  • gas;
  • stomach pain;
  • upper respiratory infection;
  • digestive problems;
  • headaches;
  • heartburn;
  • flu-like symptoms.

Less common side effects may include:

  • muscle pain;
  • cracks in the skin;
  • hoarseness;
  • loosening of the skin;
  • scaly skin;
  • loss of heat from the body;
  • vomiting of blood which looks like coffee grounds;
  • tarry stools;
  • unusual tiredness;
  • severe stomach pain;
  • swelling around the eyes, lips, face, or tongue;
  • continuing vomiting;
  • fever with or without chills;
  • weak pulse;
  • a decreased amount of urine;
  • red, swollen skin;
  • irritated eyes;
  • problems with swallowing;
  • unpleasant breath odor.

Contraindications

Do not take this medication if you:

  • have higher than normal levels of potassium in the blood;
  • have any type of allergic reaction;
  • have any bleeding disorders;
  • have experienced nasal polyps or asthma;
  • have intestinal ulcers;
  • are allergic to any ingredients of this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug;
  • have inflammatory bowel disease;
  • have reduced liver function;
  • have reduced kidney function;
  • have recently had coronary artery bypass graft surgery;
  • are less than 18 years of age;
  • have uncontrolled heart failure.

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Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

  • cholestyramine (Questran);
  • lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
  • warfarin;
  • warfarin (Coumadin);
  • ACE inhibitors, such as – captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), or lisinopril (Prinivil);
  • methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
  • aspirin (Ecotrin) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • diuretics, such as – furosemide (Lasix) or thiazides (hydrochlorothiazide);
  • cimetidine (Tagamet);
  • sodium erythorbate;
  • oxymetazoline;
  • digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin);
  • claritin;
  • cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

The use of this medication during pregnancy is not advised unless prescribed by your doctor, especially if you are 30 or more weeks pregnant. Also, it may pass into breast milk and can harm the infant. Therefore, avoid this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication if you are breastfeeding a baby.

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Alcohol

It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, hence, it should not be taken with alcohol due to the risk of bleeding in the stomach.

Bottom Line – Etodolac vs Meloxicam

Etodolac (brand names – Lodine and Lodine XL) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This medication works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the human body.

Meloxicam (brand name – Mobic) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used for pain due to osteoarthritis.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2525983
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4164827/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9035017

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