Quick Answer
Meloxicam does expire. The shelf life of meloxicam is typically around 3 years. However, the expiration date printed on the packaging by the manufacturer is the definitive guide for how long meloxicam remains effective. Meloxicam should not be taken after its expiration date has passed.
What is meloxicam?
Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation from conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children. It works by blocking cyclooxygenase enzymes which are responsible for producing prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Some common brand names for meloxicam include Mobic and Melox. It comes in tablet, capsule, and liquid suspension forms which are taken by mouth.
Why does meloxicam expire?
Like all drugs, meloxicam has a limited shelf life and expires after a certain period of time. There are a few reasons meloxicam can lose effectiveness after its expiration date:
- Chemical breakdown – Pharmaceuticals like meloxicam are complex chemical compounds that can begin to naturally break down over time, especially when exposed to light, heat, or moisture. This affects the drug’s potency.
- Loss of sterility – Drugs like meloxicam are sterile when first manufactured. However, bacteria and other microbes can start to grow in the medication over time, contaminating it after the expiration date.
- Reduced absorption – As the binding agents, fillers, and other inactive ingredients in the meloxicam deteriorate, it can affect how well the active drug ingredient is absorbed by the body.
For these reasons, manufacturers thoroughly test the stability of medications like meloxicam and establish an expiration date to ensure effectiveness and safety. The expiration date assumes the product is stored correctly.
How long does meloxicam last?
The shelf life of meloxicam is typically around 3 years from the date of manufacture. However, manufacturers often apply more conservative expiration dates. This ensures the medication remains fully potent and sterile until the printed expiration date on the packaging.
The expiration date can usually be found printed on the medication bottle, box, or foil packets. For meloxicam tablets, this is often 24-36 months from the production date. The liquid suspension form tends to expire after 12 months.
It’s important to always check the expiration date on the actual product packaging you have, and not go by the general shelf life alone. The manufacturer determines the definitive expiration date for each specific batch of medication.
Is it safe to take meloxicam after the expiration date?
It is generally not recommended to take meloxicam after its printed expiration date has passed. While an expired medication may not be immediately dangerous or make you sick, taking an expired NSAID like meloxicam carries some risks:
- The drug may not be as effective at treating pain and inflammation. This means you may not get the expected benefits.
- The medication could be unstable and break down into components that are harmful to your stomach, kidneys, or liver.
- Loss of sterility can lead to bacterial contamination, increasing your chance of infection.
- Absorption issues make it harder to get the right dose, potentially leading to unintended side effects or lack of efficacy.
For these reasons, it is typically not worth taking meloxicam after the expiration date. The manufacturer cannot guarantee the proper strength, safety, or quality of the drug past its printed expiration date. An expired medication may feel like it still “works,” but it should not be relied upon after the expiration date has passed.
What are the side effects of expired meloxicam?
The specific side effects of taking expired meloxicam are not well studied. However, some potential adverse effects include:
- Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Rash
- Itching
- Increased joint pain
- Worsened inflammation
These mirror some of the common side effects of meloxicam when taken before its expiration date. However, stomach and digestive issues may be more likely with degraded meloxicam. There is also a risk of unintended side effects from altered drug formulations.
It’s impossible to predict all the possible side effects of an expired medication. Always speak to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any meloxicam past its expiration date. Never take meloxicam that is badly discolored, crumbling, or shows other signs of significant deterioration.
How should you store meloxicam?
To help meloxicam and any medication last until its expiration date, be sure to properly store it:
- Keep meloxicam at room temperature away from excess heat and moisture. Avoid storing it in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink.
- Make sure the medication is in a tightly sealed container and that desiccant packets are not broken or wet.
- Do not place meloxicam in direct sunlight or near any heat sources.
- Only remove the tablets you will be taking immediately rather than constantly opening the bottle or foil packet.
- Always keep meloxicam and all medications out of reach of children.
Proper storage both before and after first use will help ensure meloxicam retains its effectiveness and safety until the expiration date. Damaged containers or tablets that look abnormal should not be taken.
How should you dispose of expired meloxicam?
If your meloxicam has expired, it’s important to safely dispose of it to avoid harming others or the environment:
- Do not simply throw expired meloxicam in the trash or flush it down the toilet. This risks contaminating landfills or water sources.
- Find a pharmaceutical take-back program in your community. These programs allow you to safely dispose of medications at designated drop-off locations.
- The FDA recommends mixing meloxicam with an unappealing substance like cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed bag or container before throwing it away.
- Scratch out all personal information on the medication packaging before disposing to protect privacy.
- Ask your local pharmacy if they offer any disposal programs or can recommend the best way to safely get rid of expired or unused meloxicam in your area.
Safely disposing of medications helps protect public health and prevents misuse, poisoning, or abuse of old drugs. Do not flush meloxicam unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs it is safe to do so.
Can you get a refund on expired meloxicam?
You likely cannot get a refund on meloxicam if you simply forgot about it and found it after the expiration date. However, if it expired prematurely or shortly after you purchased it, you may be able to get your money back:
- First contact the pharmacy where you bought the meloxicam. Many pharmacies will make exceptions and refund or replace medication that expired too soon.
- You can also contact the medication’s manufacturer directly. They may refund or send you a voucher if it expired very shortly after manufacture.
- Keep your receipt and original packaging showing the purchase date, expiration date, manufacturer information, etc. This will help support your claim.
- Calmly explain the situation. Reasonable accommodations are often made for expired drugs, especially for loyal customers.
Being polite but persistent can often get you at least a partial refund on meloxicam that expired prematurely before you could use all of it. This compensation can help offset the cost of replacing the medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does meloxicam 15 mg last?
The typical shelf life of 15 mg meloxicam tablets is 24-36 months from the manufacture date. Always check the expiration date on the packaging you have, and do not take meloxicam more than 3 years after the production date or after the printed expiration date.
Can expired meloxicam make you sick?
Expired meloxicam is unlikely to immediately make you sick or cause severe health consequences. However, it may lead to stomach upset, headache, rash, or other mild issues if the drug has degraded or become contaminated. It is not worth any risk and meloxicam should not be knowingly taken past expiration.
Is meloxicam still effective after expiration date?
Meloxicam may still have some effectiveness past its expiration date if it was properly stored, but it is not recommended. The manufacturer cannot guarantee strength, sterility, or safety after the printed expiration date. An expired drug should not be relied upon or expected to work as intended.
Can I take meloxicam 2 years after expiration?
No, you should not take meloxicam tablets or capsules more than 3 years after being manufactured or past the printed expiration date. Drug potency and safety declines after expiration. Meloxicam 2 years past its expiration date cannot be trusted to be effective or harmless to take.
Is meloxicam still good 1 year after expiration?
No, meloxicam should not be taken a year after its printed expiration date has passed. While it may still look normal, the drug undergoes chemical breakdown over time. One year after expiration, meloxicam may have reduced strength and sterility. To be safe, always discard meloxicam after the expiration date.
Conclusion
Like any pharmaceutical drug, meloxicam does expire and has a relatively short shelf life. While generally safe to take as directed before expiration, meloxicam should not be used after its printed expiration date has passed. Used or expired meloxicam should be properly disposed of. With proper storage, meloxicam typically retains full potency for about 3 years. But the expiration date on your particular meloxicam packaging must be checked and followed for safety and effectiveness. Do not take chances with expired meloxicam. Instead, replace it before the expiration date passes to have effective medication that you can confidently use as directed.
