Mobic (meloxicam) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). Although it is not a narcotic, drinking alcohol while taking Mobic can lead to several adverse health effects, including potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal and cardiovascular issues. If you’re using Mobic and have been unable to curb your drinking, you may have an alcohol use disorder and could benefit from professional help.
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Risks & Side Effects of Mobic
Mobic is a drug sold as a tablet or liquid prescribed for people who experience joint pain and stiffness due to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It decreases proteins and cells in the body that produce inflammation, reducing joint pain and swelling. NSAIDS like Mobic are not habit-forming but do come with risks and potential side effects. (1)
Mobic Can Increase the Risk of the Following:
- Gastrointestinal issues.
- Heart attack, blood clot, or stroke.
- Liver damage and jaundice.
- Kidney problems.
- High blood pressure.
Potential Severe Side Effects of Mobic Include:
- Yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, fever, lower leg/feet edema, and unusual tiredness and weakness.
- Urinary changes, back/side pain, nausea, face or finger swelling, breathing difficulties, and weight gain.
- Rashes, itching, flushing, and blisters.
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Chest pain or tightness.
- Fast or irregular heart rate.
- Bleeding or ulcers in the stomach or bowels.
- Black, tarry, or clay-colored stools.
- Vomiting blood or stomach contents that look like coffee grounds.
The likelihood of these effects occurring is increased when Mobic is used in combination with NSAIDs, other blood thinners, or alcohol. In addition, Mobic can interfere with the effectiveness of blood pressure medications, such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers. (3) It can also interact with other arthritis medications, diuretics, and steroids.
Risks of Using Mobic With Alcohol
Drinking regularly or excessively can amplify stomach irritation caused by NSAIDs, especially when taken long-term. This can increase the risk of significant gastrointestinal events, including ulcers and bleeding. When both these risk factors are present, the National Institutes of Health report that “the resulting risk ratio is greater than the additive risk of the separate risk factors.” (4)
It’s important to note that many individuals with arthritis take multiple medications to manage their symptoms, and prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs have package warnings not to use them while drinking. (5) So, a person who drinks excessively and uses Mobic in conjunction with other NSAIDs may be at an even greater risk for serious side effects, especially gastrointestinal bleeding.
Older people with compromised immune systems should avoid mixing alcohol and NSAIDs altogether. The elderly may be at an increased risk of adverse reactions due to pre-existing gastric, heart, blood pressure, liver, or kidney problems. (6)
Ultimately, avoiding all alcohol or other drugs while using Mobic is the best way to prevent adverse effects. However, it is possible to overdose on Mobic even when it’s taken without alcohol.
Mobic Overdose Symptoms Include:
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea.
- Bleeding.
- Heart attack.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Unresponsiveness or coma.
Alcohol overdose, also referred to as acute alcohol toxicity or alcohol poisoning, can occur when an excessive amount of alcohol is consumed in a short period.
Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms Include:
- Confusion.
- Vomiting.
- Slow or irregular breathing.
- Blue-tinged skin (cyanosis).
- Hypothermia.
- Unconsciousness and unresponsiveness.
- Seizures.
An overdose of Mobic, alcohol, or both is a medical emergency. If you suspect you or another person is overdosing on any substance, call 911 immediately.
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Research on Combining Alcohol & Mobic
Studies have shown long-term side effects of using Mobic with alcohol include the following:
Kidney Problems
NSAIDs such as Mobic can reduce blood flow to the kidney or promote inflammation in kidney tissues, leading to renal damage. Chronic and acute heavy drinking can also result in renal damage by interrupting the hormonal regulation of kidney function. (7)
Heart Attack or Stroke
Research has shown that NSAIDs like Mobic may lead to strokes, heart attacks, or heart failure, especially in those with previously impaired cardiac activity. (8) Similarly, heavy, prolonged alcohol use and binge drinking has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, and alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
Liver Damage
A study from 2010 revealed that 10% of all drug-induced liver toxicity was due to using NSAIDs. (NIH9) Research has shown that alcoholism can cause severe and potentially life-threatening liver damage, and the use of Mobic can increase the risk of hepatic injury. (10)
Alcohol & Arthritis
Mobic is widely prescribed to treat forms of arthritis. However, alcohol can interact with arthritis symptoms and reduce the efficacy of medications used to treat it, especially in older individuals. In addition, for those with gout-related arthritis, drinking alcoholic beverages is not recommended due to their high purine levels, which can cause flare-ups. (11) Drinking may also affect osteoarthritis, as chronic alcohol misuse puts the body in a pro-inflammatory state and promotes the production of reactive oxygen species free radicals.
Understanding Alcohol Misuse & the Need for Treatment
Alcohol use disorders range from mild-severe, but all are characterized by an inability to control alcohol consumption, whether it’s acute (binge drinking) or chronic heavy drinking. Binge drinking is described as having 4-5 alcoholic beverages or more on one occasion for women and men, respectively. (12) Heavy drinking is the consumption of 8 or more drinks per week for women and 15 drinks for men. (13)
Excessive drinking in any form has been linked to numerous physical and mental health issues, such as the following and more: (14)
- Heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
- Digestive issues.
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, colon, and rectum.
- Compromised immune system.
- Liver disease and cirrhosis.
- Pancreatitis (acute or chronic).
- Psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety.
- Learning and memory problems, including dementia.
Any level of excessive drinking will eventually have adverse effects on your body, which is true regardless of what medications you’re using. However, if you are at an increased risk of severe health issues due to age, existing health conditions, or prescription drug use, it’s even more important to reduce or discontinue alcohol use. If you’ve already tried to do this and failed, you are urged to consider seeking treatment for alcohol dependence.
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Guardian Recovery Offers Comprehensive Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Those who use Mobic and continue to drink despite attempts to quit are urged to seek professional help. Alcoholism is a potentially severe and life-long disease, and consuming it can affect a person’s mental and physical health and well-being. This can be further complicated by using other substances, even relatively safe prescription medications like Mobic.
Guardian Recovery offers residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient programs highly customized to meet each individual’s needs and unique circumstances. Contact us today for a free assessment and no-obligation health benefits check. We are dedicated to helping people struggling with drug or alcohol dependence break free from addiction, prevent relapse, and foster long, healthy, substance-free lives.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/meloxicam-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066928?p=1
- https://www.drugs.com/sfx/meloxicam-side-effects.html
- https://ro.co/health-guide/meloxicam-interactions/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10854958/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10854958/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4063202/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826793/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12656651/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2997980/#__ffn_sectitle
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513682/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4823794/
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#heavyDrinking
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12656651/