Patient was educated on the side effects of using Meloxicam as follows:
- Renal damage and hypertension
- Renal prostaglandins help dilation of blood vessels in the kidneys and thereby, reduce the blood pressure.
- Meloxicam inhibits the production of prostaglandins in all the tissues, including the renal.
- But, this effect of Meloxicam can be very less in intensity compared to other standard NSAIDs like diclofenac sodium.
- Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the kidneys, result in vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure.
- Constriction of the blood vessels in the kidney can contribute to reduced blood flow to the renal tissue.
- Reduced blood flow to the renal tissue can contribute to renal failure overtime.
- Also, renal prostaglandins help with elimination of sodium in the urine. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the kidneys by Meloxicam leads to sodium retention in the body.
- Increased levels of sodium in the body contribute to elevated blood pressure.
- Chest pain and myocardial infarction
- Meloxicam can cause vasoconstriction in the coronary blood vessels, thereby, resulting in chest pain and myocardial infarction.
- Asthma and shortness of breath
- In some individuals, use of Meloxicam can rarely lead to exacerbation of SOB with episodes of asthma and growth of nasal polyps.
- The reason for this response is unknown.
