The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol & Mobic

Combining alcohol and Mobic can increase your risk of many different health risks, so it’s wise to avoid this drug combination.

If you have chronic pain, you may be prescribed a pain medication called Mobic. This drug works very well against some types of pain, making it easier for you to take part in your daily activities. Unfortunately, if your normal activities include drinking alcohol, you may be putting yourself at risk. Combining Mobic and alcohol can harm your health.

Mixing Alcohol and Mobic

Mobic is one of several brand names for the drug meloxicam. The drug is also sold under other brand names of Vivlodex and Qmiiz. Mobic belongs to a class of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Mobic is a very strong NSAID and is only available with a prescription.

Mobic treats pain related to:

• Different forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Gout flares
• Other pain conditions

Mixing alcohol and Mobic can be dangerous, as it can increase your risk of several complications, including:

• Bleeding
• Gastritis
• Gout
• Heart attack and stroke

Bleeding Risk

Doctors advise not to drink alcohol while taking Mobic because, like other NSAIDs, Mobic can increase bleeding risk. Although doctors do not know how NSAIDs increase bleeding risk, many different studies have found that internal bleeding can occur. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put a black box warning on prescription NSAIDs like Mobic because it can cause bleeding.

The warning is for increased risk of:

• Bleeding
• Ulcers
• Holes in your stomach or intestine

Alcohol use and abuse can also increase bleeding risk. The more you drink, and the longer you drink, the more you are at risk of bleeding from drinking. Drinking harms your body’s ability to make a type of blood cell called platelets. Platelets help your blood clot when you are bleeding. However, if you struggle with alcohol use, your body often has trouble making platelets.

In some cases, your body may make platelets that are abnormal and do not work as well as they should. This condition can be harmful, because if your platelets cannot stop bleeding, then you may continue to bleed internally. Sometimes you may not even know that you are bleeding, especially if the bleeding is on the inside of your body.

Because both alcohol and Mobic can each increase bleeding risk, using them together can be dangerous. Doctors think that if you use alcohol and Mobic together, your risk of bleeding may be even higher.

Gastritis Risk

Both alcohol and Mobic increase your risk of gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach. Therefore, using alcohol and Mobic together can make your risk of gastritis even higher.

Gastritis can cause health problems like:

• Ulcers
• Permanent stomach damage
• Low blood iron, which means your blood cells cannot transport oxygen as well as they should
• Low vitamin B12, which can cause mental changes and irreversible nerve damage
• Stomach cancer

Gout Risk

If you are taking Mobic for gout flares, it is crucial to remember that drinking can cause a gout flare. Therefore, it is doubly important to avoid alcohol if the reason you are taking Mobic is gout.

If you are drinking alcohol while using Mobic for a gout flare, it is also important to look out for gout symptoms like:

• Severe pain in a single joint (often your big toe)
• Swelling in a single joint
• Redness in a single joint
• Feeling like a single joint is hot when you touch it

Heart Attack and Stroke

The FDA has a black box warning on NSAIDs like Mobic for increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Watch for symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, including:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Left arm or shoulder pain
• Exhaustion (in women)
• Nausea (in women)
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Sudden changes in vision
• Suddenly slurred speech

Excessive use of alcohol can also lead to problems with the heart, including cardiomyopathy, which is a condition that can lead to heart failure. Therefore, mixing alcohol and NSAIDs like Mobic is not recommended as it increases the risk of heart problems.

Symptoms of Mixing Alcohol and Mobic

Because mixing alcohol and Mobic can increase your risk of bleeding in your stomach and intestines, it is essential to be aware of bleeding symptoms, including:

• Red blood in your vomit
• Red blood in your stool
• Particles that look like coffee grounds in your vomit
• Stool that is black and tarry

As Mobic and alcohol can increase your risk of gastritis, it is also important to be aware of gastritis symptoms like:

• Stomach pain
• Stomach discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting

If you or a loved one struggle with alcohol addiction, a compassionate team of medical professionals at The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab can help. We offer many different addiction treatment options to help you lead a healthier life. Contact us today for more information on how to lead a life free from drinking.

Editor – Camille Renzoni

Cami Renzoni is a creative writer and editor for The Recovery Village. As an advocate for behavioral health, Cami is certified in mental health first aid and encourages people who face substance use disorders to ask for the help they deserve. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD

Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more