What is the appropriate dosage and management plan for meloxicam (Mobic) for acute back strain?

From the Guidelines

For acute back strain, meloxicam (Mobic) is typically prescribed at 7.5 mg once daily, which can be increased to 15 mg once daily if needed for pain control. Treatment should be limited to the shortest duration necessary, usually 7-10 days for acute pain. Take meloxicam with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Patients should avoid alcohol and other NSAIDs while using meloxicam to prevent increased risk of stomach bleeding. Those with kidney disease, heart conditions, or a history of ulcers should use caution and possibly lower doses. Elderly patients (over 65) should generally start with the lower 7.5 mg dose. Meloxicam works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes to reduce inflammation and pain. For comprehensive management, combine medication with rest for 1-2 days, followed by gentle stretching, application of ice in the first 48 hours, then heat therapy, and gradual return to normal activities. If pain persists beyond 10 days or worsens, medical reassessment is necessary 1.

Some key points to consider when prescribing meloxicam for acute back strain include:

• Assessing cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risk factors before prescribing NSAIDs 1
• Recommending the lowest effective doses for the shortest periods necessary 1
• Considering strategies for minimizing adverse events in higher-risk patients who are prescribed NSAIDs, such as co-administration with a proton-pump inhibitor 1
• Evaluating treatment response and adjusting the treatment plan as needed 1

From the Research

Dosage and Management Plan for Meloxicam

• The appropriate dosage of meloxicam for acute back strain is 15 mg daily, as indicated in the study 2.
• The treatment duration for acute back strain with meloxicam can last up to 2 weeks, with a mean period of treatment of 8.61±5.53 days, as reported in the study 2.
• Meloxicam can be administered orally or through intramuscular injections, with 86.1% of patients receiving intramuscular injections for the first 3-5 days and then switching to oral meloxicam, as stated in the study 2.

Efficacy and Safety of Meloxicam

• Meloxicam has been shown to be effective in treating acute back pain, with 75.2% of patients achieving complete pain relief within a 2-week treatment period, as reported in the study 2.
• The safety profile of meloxicam is similar to that of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with reported side effects including abdominal pain, anemia, and edema, as mentioned in the study 3.
• Meloxicam has a lower incidence of gastrointestinal side effects compared to other NSAIDs, such as naproxen, as indicated in the study 4.

Factors Influencing Treatment Outcomes

• Age, with patients under 65 years old having better treatment outcomes, as reported in the study 2.
• History of good response to NSAIDs, with patients having a good response to NSAIDs in the past having better treatment outcomes, as stated in the study 2.
• Presence of severe pain, pain at rest or night, or sciatica, which can be associated with poorer treatment outcomes, as mentioned in the study 2.