What Happens If I Take 2 Meloxicam 7.5 Mg? (Is It Safe?)

Meloxicam is safe and effective when used in the short-term treatment of the types of arthritis it was approved for. However, there may be instances where you don’t get relief after taking just one 7.5 mg tablet of Meloxicam. 

In situations like this, you might be tempted to take an additional tablet. Hoping to boost its effect. In this article, the pharmacist will let you know what happens if you take 2 Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets or 2 Meloxicam 15 mg tablets.

What To Know About Meloxicam

Meloxicam is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for managing symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in adults and children weighing 60 kg and above. 

The recommended dose of meloxicam for adults is 7.5 mg once daily but can be increased to 15 mg once daily. The maximum daily dose in adults is 15 mg.

In children 2 years or greater who weigh at least 60 kg, the recommended dose is 7.5 mg once daily. This 7.5mg daily is also the maximum daily dose in children.

Treatment with Meloxicam usually begins with a low dose of 7.5 mg. If symptoms don’t improve at this dose, then it can be increased to the maximum daily dose of 15 mg.

This dose should not be exceeded for any reason. Going beyond it doesn’t give any additional benefit. Rather, it increases the risk of side effects.

Meloxicam should be taken at the same time each day. The doses are not to be divided or taken more than once a day. It is also recommended that you don’t lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking Meloxicam. 

What Happens If I Take 2 Meloxicam 7.5 Mg?

The outcome of taking two 7.5 mg meloxicam tablets depends on who is taking it (adult or child), how many times it is taken in a day, and the dose recommended by the doctor.

If an adult with arthritis takes two 7.5 mg tablets of meloxicam, nothing may happen because the combined dose of the two tablets (15 mg) is still within the recommended maximum daily dose of 15 mg. 

It is highly advised that the total amount of meloxicam taken by an adult in a day should not exceed 15 mg. Exceeding this maximum dose can increase your chances of suffering unpleasant side effects. 

Two 7.5 mg of meloxicam will be equivalent to 15 mg, which is the maximum dose. If the two tablets are taken just once a day, then you may have nothing to worry about as you haven’t exceeded the recommended maximum daily dose.

However, if you took the two tablets more than once a day, that would be an overdose. The outcome is also different if the person taking the two 7.5mg tablets is a child. The maximum dose in children is 7.5 mg. So, taking two 7.5 mg will result in an overdose in this case. 

Also, if your doctor prescribed 7.5 mg once a day, then you shouldn’t take more than that. This is because a lot of factors must have been taken into consideration before arriving at the prescribed dose of 7.5 mg. Taking more than that could put you at risk.

What Happens If You Take 2 Meloxicam 15 Mg Tablets?

Taking two 15 mg tablets of meloxicam will result in an overdose. The recommended dose you should not exceed in a day is 15 mg. Two 15 mg tablets are equivalent to 30 mg.

This is twice the recommended maximum daily dose. At this high dose, you are likely to experience the side effects. Some of which could be very serious.

Symptoms Of Meloxicam Overdose

If you take more than 15 mg of meloxicam in a day, you may experience the following symptoms of meloxicam overdose:

• drowsiness
• lack of energy 
• stomach pain
• seizures
• vomiting
• nausea
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• difficulty breathing
• vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
• coma

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or the poison control center immediately. You can reach the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. 

Final Thoughts

If your doctor prescribed 15 mg of meloxicam, it is safe to take two 7.5 mg of meloxicam. But if that’s not the case, then you should stick to the dose prescribed by your doctor. Do not exceed the maximum allowable dose of Meloxicam to prevent side effects.

References

• Medlineplus.gov. Meloxicam drug information
• DailyMed: MELOXICAM- meloxicam tablet