Can meloxicam cause hair loss? This is a question raised by some patients taking this commonly prescribed NSAID for conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Meloxicam works by inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme to reduce pain and inflammation, but its relationship with alopecia is far from straightforward. Hair loss is not listed as a recognised common side effect in the UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), yet rare post-marketing reports exist. This article explores what the evidence actually shows, outlines confirmed side effects to be aware of, and explains when to seek medical advice.

Is Hair Loss a Recognised Side Effect of Meloxicam?

Hair loss is not listed as a common or recognised side effect of meloxicam in the MHRA-approved UK SmPC. Very rare post-marketing reports exist, but no confirmed causal link has been established.

Experiencing these side effects? Our pharmacists can help you navigate them →

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly prescribed in the UK for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It works by preferentially inhibiting the cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme — though it retains some COX-1 inhibitory activity — thereby reducing the production of prostaglandins responsible for pain and inflammation.

Hair loss — medically termed alopecia — is not listed as a common or well-recognised side effect of meloxicam in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and available on the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). It does not appear under frequently reported adverse reactions in standard UK prescribing information.

However, alopecia has been reported very rarely in post-marketing surveillance data for some NSAIDs, including meloxicam. This means that whilst individual patients have reported hair loss whilst taking the medication, there is no established causal link confirmed through controlled clinical evidence. It is important to distinguish between a coincidental association and a proven pharmacological cause. If you have noticed hair loss whilst taking meloxicam, it is worth discussing this with your GP or pharmacist, but you should not stop taking a prescribed medication without seeking professional advice first.

What the Evidence Says About NSAIDs and Hair Loss

There is no robust clinical evidence confirming that NSAIDs, including meloxicam, cause hair loss. Anecdotal case reports exist, but underlying conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are themselves associated with alopecia.

Not sure if this is normal? Chat with one of our pharmacists →

The relationship between NSAIDs as a drug class and hair loss is not well established in the medical literature. Prostaglandins — the molecules that NSAIDs suppress — are known to play a role in hair follicle biology. Some research suggests that certain prostaglandins, particularly prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), may support hair follicle growth and cycling. By inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, it is theoretically plausible that NSAIDs could influence hair growth to some degree; however, this remains speculative and has not been demonstrated conclusively in controlled clinical trials. This mechanistic hypothesis should be interpreted with caution.

A small number of case reports and spontaneous adverse event reports submitted to pharmacovigilance databases have noted hair thinning or shedding in patients taking various NSAIDs, including meloxicam, naproxen, and ibuprofen. These reports are largely anecdotal, dechallenge and rechallenge data are sparse, and they do not confirm causation. The type of hair loss most commonly associated with medication use is telogen effluvium — a diffuse, temporary shedding triggered by physiological stress, illness, or systemic changes — which typically occurs two to three months after the triggering event, rather than causing permanent follicular damage.

It is also worth noting that the underlying conditions for which meloxicam is prescribed, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are themselves associated with hair loss. This makes it particularly difficult to attribute alopecia specifically to the drug rather than the disease process. At present, there is no official UK regulatory guidance identifying meloxicam as a confirmed cause of hair loss, and the evidence base remains insufficient to draw firm conclusions. Patients seeking further information on hair loss causes can refer to the NHS hair loss pages or British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) patient information resources.

Other Meloxicam Side Effects You Should Know About

Meloxicam's well-documented side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances, renal impairment, elevated blood pressure, and increased cardiovascular risk. It should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.

Whilst hair loss remains uncertain, meloxicam carries a well-documented profile of adverse effects that patients and clinicians should be aware of. The frequencies below are based on the MHRA-approved UK SmPC; always refer to the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication or consult the eMC for full details.

Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• Gastrointestinal disturbances such as indigestion, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea

• Headache and dizziness

• Fluid retention (oedema), particularly in the ankles

Less common but clinically important side effects include:

• Peptic ulceration or gastrointestinal bleeding — a key risk with all NSAIDs

• Renal impairment, particularly in older adults or those with pre-existing kidney disease

• Elevated blood pressure

• Cardiovascular events, including increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke with prolonged use

• Skin reactions, including rash and, rarely, serious conditions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis

Important contraindications and cautions (per UK SmPC and BNF): Meloxicam is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulceration or gastrointestinal bleeding, a history of NSAID-induced GI bleeding or perforation, severe hepatic failure, severe renal failure (not on dialysis), severe heart failure, and in the third trimester of pregnancy. It should be used with caution — and generally avoided — from 20 weeks of pregnancy onwards, in line with MHRA guidance; if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, seek advice from your GP or midwife promptly. Meloxicam is not recommended during breastfeeding; consult your GP or pharmacist, or refer to the Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) guidance on medicines in lactation. Patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma (bronchospasm triggered by aspirin or other NSAIDs) should not take meloxicam. Caution is also required in elderly patients, who are at higher risk of GI, renal, and cardiovascular adverse effects.

Gastroprotection: For patients at higher GI risk (e.g., older age, history of peptic ulcer, concomitant corticosteroids or anticoagulants), co-prescribing a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) should be considered, in line with NICE CKS and BNF guidance on NSAID prescribing.

Key drug interactions: Patients taking meloxicam alongside anticoagulants, aspirin, other NSAIDs, SSRIs, or corticosteroids face an increased risk of GI bleeding and should be monitored carefully. The combination of an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) with a diuretic and an NSAID — sometimes called the 'triple whammy' — significantly increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and should be avoided where possible; renal function and blood pressure should be checked at baseline and early in treatment in at-risk patients. Meloxicam may also interact with lithium, methotrexate, and ciclosporin or tacrolimus; consult the BNF or a pharmacist for a full interaction review.

Meloxicam should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration, in line with NICE guidance on NSAID prescribing.

When to Speak to Your GP or Pharmacist

Discuss any new hair shedding with your GP or pharmacist, who can assess whether it is medication-, disease-, or otherwise related. Seek emergency care immediately for signs of severe allergic reaction, GI bleeding, or stroke.

If you have noticed increased hair shedding or thinning since starting meloxicam, it is sensible to raise this with your GP or pharmacist at your next appointment. Whilst the link is not confirmed, your healthcare professional can help assess whether the hair loss is likely to be medication-related, disease-related, or due to another cause entirely.

Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you experience:

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), including facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash with collapse

• Symptoms of severe gastrointestinal bleeding, such as vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or passing black, tarry stools

• Chest pain, sudden weakness, or neurological symptoms (such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty) that could indicate a heart attack or stroke

• Severe skin reactions with blistering, peeling, or involvement of the mouth, eyes, or genitals — stop meloxicam immediately and seek urgent medical help if this occurs

Seek prompt (non-emergency) medical advice if you experience:

• Sudden or significant hair loss in patches (which may suggest alopecia areata or another dermatological condition)

• Hair loss accompanied by other new symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, or skin changes

• Signs of kidney problems, including reduced urine output or new swelling in the legs

• Any other unexpected or concerning symptoms whilst taking meloxicam

Do not stop taking meloxicam abruptly without speaking to your prescriber (except in the urgent situations described above), particularly if it is managing a chronic condition. Your GP may review your medication, consider an alternative, or refer you to a dermatologist if hair loss is significant or persistent. Pharmacists are also an excellent first point of contact for medication-related concerns and can advise without the need for an appointment.

Alternative Causes of Hair Loss to Consider

Hair loss has many common causes unrelated to meloxicam, including telogen effluvium, thyroid disorders, iron deficiency anaemia, and androgenetic alopecia. Your GP can arrange blood tests to investigate the underlying cause.

Hair loss is a common complaint with a wide range of potential causes, and it is important not to attribute it to meloxicam without a thorough assessment. Many people taking long-term medication for inflammatory conditions may experience hair loss for entirely unrelated reasons.

Common alternative causes of hair loss include:

• Telogen effluvium — diffuse shedding triggered by physical or emotional stress, illness, surgery, significant weight loss, or the postpartum period, typically occurring two to three months after the triggering event; this is usually temporary

• Androgenetic alopecia — the most common form of hair loss in both men and women, driven by genetic and hormonal factors (see NICE CKS and BAD patient information for further guidance)

• Thyroid disorders — both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair thinning; a simple blood test can identify this

• Iron deficiency anaemia — particularly common in women and associated with diffuse hair shedding

• Autoimmune conditions — including alopecia areata, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis itself

• Traction alopecia — hair loss caused by prolonged tension on the hair from certain hairstyles

• Tinea capitis — a fungal scalp infection, more common in children, which can cause patchy hair loss with scaling

• Scarring alopecias — a group of conditions causing permanent follicular damage; features such as scalp pain, erythema, scaling, or rapid progression warrant prompt referral to dermatology

• Nutritional deficiencies — low levels of iron or zinc can contribute to hair loss; routine biotin testing or supplementation is not generally recommended in the UK without specific clinical suspicion, as true deficiency is rare

• Other medications — drugs such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, beta-blockers, and anticoagulants are more firmly associated with alopecia than meloxicam

Your GP can arrange blood tests to investigate underlying causes, including thyroid function, full blood count, ferritin, and inflammatory markers. Referral to a dermatologist is appropriate where there is diagnostic uncertainty, suspected scarring alopecia, or significant impact on wellbeing. Identifying and treating the root cause is far more effective than discontinuing a medication that may not be responsible. The NHS hair loss pages and BAD patient information leaflets provide reliable further reading.

MHRA Guidance and Reporting Suspected Side Effects

Suspected side effects from meloxicam, including hair loss, should be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Reports flag associations for investigation but do not confirm causation.

The MHRA is the UK regulatory authority responsible for ensuring that medicines, including meloxicam, are safe and effective. The MHRA continuously monitors the safety of licensed medicines through post-marketing surveillance, which includes reviewing spontaneous reports of suspected adverse drug reactions submitted by both healthcare professionals and patients.

If you believe you have experienced hair loss or any other unexpected side effect whilst taking meloxicam, you are encouraged to report it through the Yellow Card scheme — the UK's system for reporting suspected adverse drug reactions. Reports can be submitted online at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk, via the Yellow Card app, through your GP or pharmacist, or by telephone if you are unable to access the website or app. Patient reports are valued equally alongside those from healthcare professionals and contribute to the ongoing safety monitoring of all medicines.

It is important to understand that a Yellow Card report does not confirm that the medicine caused the side effect — it simply flags a suspected association for further investigation. The MHRA analyses patterns across large numbers of reports to identify potential safety signals. If a genuine link between meloxicam and hair loss were to emerge from accumulated data, the MHRA would update the product information accordingly and communicate this to prescribers and patients.

For the most up-to-date prescribing information and safety guidance on meloxicam, healthcare professionals can consult the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) or the British National Formulary (BNF). Patients seeking reliable information should refer to the NHS website or speak directly with their GP or pharmacist.

Frequently Asked Questions