Contents
Movalis is a trade name for a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug belonging to the oxicam group. It has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties. Its bioavailability is estimated at 90%, and the maximum concentration in the body can be observed after 5-6 hours, which proves its good absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Movalis is recommended to be used during the short-term symptomatic treatment of exacerbations of osteoarthritis. It can also be used in the long-term treatment of the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Movalis – action
The active substance in Movalis is meloxicam. It is an anti-inflammatory drug belonging to the oxicam group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties.
The meloxicam in Movalis prevents the synthesis of prostaglandins that accompany inflammation. The activity of cyclooxygenases, i.e. enzymes needed for the reaction, as a result of which prostaglandins are formed from the lipids of cell membranes, is then slowed down.
Movalis is not antimicrobial. This preparation only relieves the symptoms associated with the inflammatory reaction of the body, and thus lowers the elevated body temperature, reduces swelling, pain or stiffness in the joints. Movalis is well absorbed from the digestive system.
The maximum concentration of Movalis in the blood occurs approx. 5-6 hours after administration, and steady-state concentrations occur between 3 and 5 days after drug initiation.
The active substance of Movalis passes into the synovial fluid. There it reaches a concentration of half the achieved plasma concentration. It should also be remembered that meloxicam crosses the placenta and into breast milk.
Movalis – indications
Movalis is indicated to relieve the worsened symptoms of osteoarthritis for a short time. In long-term treatment, Movalis is used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Movalis – contraindications
It should be remembered that even if there are indications for the use of a given drug, it may not always be taken. The main contraindication to the use of Movalis is hypersensitivity, i.e. allergy to any component of the drug or to other drugs from the group of NSAIDs, including acetylsalicylic acid.
Movalis should not be used by people who have ever noticed symptoms of allergy to acetylsalicylic acid, i.e. aspirin, as well as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen. An allergic reaction may take the form of asthma attacks, bronchospasm, allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps, angioedema, or skin reactions (rashes, urticaria, erythema).
People should stop using Movalis:
- with bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, from cerebral vessels or other disorders during which bleeding occurs;
- with active or recurrent gastric and / or duodenal ulcer disease, bleeding or perforation of the stomach and / or duodenum – also after taking NSAIDs;
- with severe liver and / or kidney failure that are not undergoing dialysis;
- with severe heart failure.
In addition, Movalis should not be used in women in the third trimester of pregnancy, as well as in children and adolescents under 16 years of age. Movalis is also banned for women who are breastfeeding.
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Movalis – precautions
Movalis can cause various side effects that are due to the presence of certain diseases and other health circumstances. They may constitute a contraindication to use or an indication for a change in the dosage of Movalis. In certain cases, it may be necessary to perform additional control tests while using the preparation.
People starting the use of Movalis should remember that the lower the starting dose and the shorter the duration of use, the lower the risk of side effects of the preparation. Also, before starting use, it should also be remembered that the drug is not recommended for a sudden attack of pain, when it is necessary to act quickly. Movalis should also not be used concurrently with other NSAIDs.
If pain symptoms persist after a few days of using Movalis, see a doctor. Without prior consultation, you cannot increase the initially prescribed dose, or take additional NSAIDs, as this may increase the risk of the appearance and worsen side effects.
Before prescribing Movalis, tell your doctor about any possible previous gastritis or gastritis, or gastric ulceration.. They must be completely healed before starting Movalis. Additionally, it should be borne in mind that if in the past we have had problems with the appearance of inflammations or ulcers, using the drug may make the problems recur. For this reason, you should be under the constant care of a doctor while using the preparation in order to detect any abnormalities in time, and even report any concerns about the condition of our digestive system.
People taking NSAIDs are more likely to develop gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. Such changes can even lead to death, and what is worse, they do not have to show any specific symptoms beforehand. Symptoms can develop during treatment and also in people who have had such problems before. Complications during the use of Movalis are dangerous especially for the elderly. For this reason, you should always inform your doctor, no matter what, about any signals that disturb us, sent by our body. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract is an indication for immediate discontinuation of Movalis.
The elderly are more likely to develop side effects, mainly gastrointestinal bleeding, which can lead to death. People with diseases of the digestive system or with healed ulcers may only use Movalis under medical supervision. Treatment should be started with the lowest possible dose, since high doses significantly increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. For this reason, the doctor may recommend the use of protective drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors or misoprostol. However, always in such a situation you should be cautious and report any worrying symptoms to your doctor.
Protective drugs during the use of Movalis are also recommended for patients using drugs that increase the occurrence of side effects from the digestive system. It mainly concerns ulcers or bleeding as a result of the use of, inter alia, systemic corticosteroids, anticoagulants such as warfarin, drugs that inhibit platelet aggregation, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
People suffering from ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease may use Movalis only under close medical supervision and with all precautions. People with hypertension, congestive heart failure, edema, fluid retention should be especially careful when using the preparation, because taking NSAIDs may exacerbate this phenomenon. These people should remain under the constant care of a doctor throughout the treatment period. Regular monitoring of the heart and kidneys is also recommended.
Movalis, like other NSAIDs taken in high doses, may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. For this reason, people struggling with hypertension, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, and people at risk of cardiovascular disease should be especially careful. These are mainly people suffering from diabetes, smoking or hyperlipidemia. They should always consult their doctor on the use of Movalis.
Movalis can also cause serious skin reactions, even fatal, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and exfoliative dermatitis. These reactions appear quite rarely and most cases are reported in the first month of use. Therefore, a patient taking Movalis should consult a doctor when he notices the first symptoms of hypersensitivity, and above all, stop using the preparation immediately. Skin reactions after Movalis are an indication for the complete prohibition of the use of the preparation.
People with reduced blood flow through the kidneys and circulating blood volume should also be especially careful when taking Movalis. The drug may lead to kidney problems in these patients, but this disappears when the drug is discontinued.
People with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, lupus nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome, diuretic or antihypertensive drugs, severe dehydration, major and major surgery, and the elderly are at risk of developing these problems. In all of these cases, you should monitor your kidney function and the amount of urine output while taking Movalis.
Taking Movalis may also make your body retain water, potassium and sodium, and cause swelling, make you high or worsen your blood pressure. In addition, heart problems may also appear. In this case, medical control is necessary from the beginning of use, especially in the case of people with arterial hypertension and heart failure. Movalis can even reduce the effectiveness of the treatment of high blood pressure.
People with diabetes and taking medications to raise potassium levels in their blood must have their potassium levels checked regularly, as taking Movalis increases the risk of hyperkalemia. In addition, the risk of side effects is much higher in debilitated or low-weight people. These people should be under constant medical supervision. Elderly people are also subject to increased control, as they are more likely to suffer from problems with the heart, kidneys and liver.
It should also be remembered that Movalis, like other NSAIDs, may mask the symptoms of an infection in the body. People suspecting an infection should consult a doctor to initiate appropriate treatment before starting the drug. Movalis does not fight microbes.
Movalis may lead to fertility problems in women, therefore it is not a preparation recommended for women planning pregnancy. Additionally, the preparation contains lactose, therefore people with galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or malabsorption of glucose-galactose cannot take the preparation. Unfortunately, no studies have been carried out on the effect of Movalis on the ability to drive and use machines.
However, it should be borne in mind that the preparation may cause various side effects that affect our ability to assess the situation, such as visual disturbances, dizziness, fatigue, or other disorders of the central nervous system. Movalis can therefore induce various health-related conditions that may be a contraindication to driving, operating machinery, or any other activity that requires concentration.
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Movalis – dosage
Movalis is a medicine that is available in tablet form. The preparation is administered orally, as prescribed by the prescribing physician. Importantly, do not exceed the doses recommended by your doctor, as this will not increase the effectiveness of the drug and may increase the risk of side effects. Any doubts about the dosage of Movalis should be consulted with your doctor.
The dosage of Movalis varies depending on the medical condition:
- in the case of exacerbation of osteoarthritis symptoms, the manufacturer recommends administering a dose of 7,5 to 15 mg of the preparation once a day;
- in the case of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, the manufacturer recommends 15 mg of the drug once a day, but the doctor may reduce the dose to 7,5 mg a day if the patient responds well to treatment and improves.
Be sure not to exceed a daily dose of 15 mg of Movalis. However, in certain cases, the doctor may modify the dose level. Applies to:
- elderly people or those belonging to the risk group of side effects – then the doctor adjusts the dose. The most frequently recommended dose is 7,5 mg;
- people undergoing dialysis who struggle with severe renal impairment – in this group of patients the recommended dose should not exceed 7,5 mg per day.
In the case of people with mild or moderate renal impairment, whose creatinine clearance is above 25 ml / min, or with liver disorders, there is no need to modify the recommended dose of Movalis. However, if the patient is suffering from severe liver or kidney problems when they are not undergoing hemodialysis, Movalis should not be used.
Movalis should also not be used in children and adolescents under 16 years of age.
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Movalis – application
Movalis is a medicine for oral use. Movalis tablet should be taken with a meal and washed down with water or another liquid. Remember that the daily dose of Movalis should be taken as a single dose, i.e. once a day.
Movalis and pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should not take any medications without consulting your doctor first. It is very important to consult the use of various preparations during pregnancy and breastfeeding in order to explain the risks and benefits of using a given drug. Therefore, women who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant should inform their doctor about this fact before prescribing Movalis.
Movalis should not be used by women at any stage of pregnancy, despite the fact that only the third trimester of pregnancy is a contraindication. Taking the drug in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and by women planning pregnancy is allowed only in justified cases and on the express recommendation of a doctor. This is only possible after careful consideration of the benefits to the mother and the risks to the fetus when absolutely necessary.
In this case, it is permissible to use the smallest possible dose of Movalis for a short period of time. The decision in this case depends mainly on the doctor who assesses the benefit-risk ratio. Movalis should also not be used during breastfeeding.
Movalis – interactions with other drugs
Before starting to use Movalis, inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including those without a prescription.
Caution should be exercised when Movalis is used concomitantly with potassium salts, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, low molecular weight or unfractionated heparin, cyclosporine, trimethoprim and tacrolimusemia, as this combination increases the risk of hyperkalemia. Its appearance is also influenced by other factors.
In addition, it is also not recommended to use Movalis in conjunction with:
- diuretics and antihypertensive drugs, due to the possibility of reducing their effectiveness, higher risk of renal dysfunction and the appearance of acute failure. This is especially true of dehydrated and elderly people. When using Movalis, ensure adequate hydration and regular monitoring of kidney function;
- acetylsalicylic acid and other NSAIDs (including selective COX-2 inhibitors), due to the increased risk of side effects, primarily ulceration and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
- with oral anticoagulants such as warfarin due to the increased effects of these drugs and an increased risk of bleeding. When concomitant use of drugs is necessary, blood clotting parameters should be regularly monitored;
- thrombolytic drugs, due to the increased risk of bleeding;
- drugs that inhibit platelet aggregation, due to the risk of bleeding;
- drugs from the group of beta-blockers, due to the reduced effectiveness of their action;
- cyclosporine and tacrolimus, due to the increased risk of kidney damage, it is necessary to monitor kidney function – this applies primarily to the elderly;
- corticosteroids and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, due to the greater risk of side effects – mainly gastrointestinal bleeding;
- methotrexate in doses greater than 15 mg per week, due to the increase in drug concentration and the intensification of its toxic effect, and even severe poisoning. Cardiovascular toxicity is possible when methotrexate is taken in doses lower than 15 mg per week. Therefore, a complete blood count as well as kidney function should be performed regularly. This applies especially to people with renal impairment, as well as to people whose time interval between the use of both preparations does not exceed 3 days;
- lithium, due to the increase in the level of lithium and the intensification of its toxic effect. It is worth controlling the level of lithium in the blood;
- cholestyramine, which may significantly increase the excretion of meloxicam.
In addition, women using IUDs should consult their doctor before starting Movalis.
Movalis – side effects
Movalis, like any other drug, may cause certain side effects. However, it should be remembered that side effects will not occur for everyone, and the anticipated benefits are usually much higher than the risk of side effects.
Side effects of Movalis they most often concern the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the following may appear:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- abdominal pain;
- indigestion;
- diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- constipation;
- inflammation of the lining of the stomach, colon, mouth and esophagus;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- gastrointestinal ulcers with bleeding and perforation – this can be fatal, especially in the elderly;
- exacerbation of colitis;
- exacerbation of Crohn’s disease;
- increase in liver enzymes;
- hepatitis.
Headaches, dizziness, mood disorders, insomnia, increased sleepiness, nightmares, confusion, confusion, visual disturbances, conjunctivitis and tinnitus may also occur as a result of the use of Movalis. There may also be heart failure, edema, hot flush, arterial hypertension, palpitations, hematological disturbances, i.e. agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia.
The first symptoms of hematological disorders include flu-like symptoms, i.e. fever, sore throat, as well as surface ulceration of the oral mucosa, epistaxis, fatigue, bruising and ecchymosis. It is necessary to consult a doctor about these symptoms.
The use of Movalis may also result in kidney problems, kidney failure, sodium and water retention, kidney damage and, consequently, acute kidney failure, and elevated levels of urea and creatinine in the blood.
People using Movalis may also develop hypersensitivity reactions in the form of rashes, itching, photosensitivity or hives. There are also possible anaphylactic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, which directly threatens the patient’s life, angioedema, i.e. swelling of the face, tongue, larynx or throat, which can make breathing very difficult, bronchospasm, asthma attacks and severe skin reactions, i.e. necrosis toxic epidermal reflux, erythema, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
People applying Movalis in high doses they are also at high risk of heart attack or stroke for a long time.