Peptic ulceration secondary to the use of Meloxicam

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am 63 years old and have a new primary care dr. as my previous dr. does not accept my insurance.After seeing her regarding back and neck pain she prescribed mobic. Within 3 days I started having diarrhea.I notified her and she told me to take it later in the day.And later she told me to take 1/2 morning and at night. The 3rd week I was in the emergecy room the dr there told me to stop taking it. I returned to her office.She did a blood test and said I have a bacteria that causes ulcers.I don't know if I can trust this diagnosis.as the problem only started after I was treated with mobic.

Dear Jo: Meloxicam (Mobic) is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). One of the adverse effects of this drug is that it may cause gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), or peptic ulceration. The bacterium that you refer to is Helicobacter pylori and the presence of this bacterium predisposes to peptic ulceration. This may have been present prior to treatment with Meloxicam, or this treatment may have aggravated your symptoms. I would advise that you should discontinue Meloxicam you may require additional investigations such as routine blood work and a Haemoglobin level check, and endoscopy (a camera used to visualise the lining of the stomach and intestines) which could be arranged by your family doctor or gastroenterologist.