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Key takeaways
It is safe to take Tylenol and meloxicam together, as the medications belong to different drug classes and work differently to relieve pain.
Combining Tylenol and meloxicam doesn’t cause side effects, but each medication has its own individual side effects that may occur if taken above the recommended dosages.
Tylenol and meloxicam are safe to take with most other pain medications, such as opiates and muscle relaxants; however, meloxicam should not be taken with another NSAID.
Meloxicam (Mobic, Qmiiz, Vivlodex) is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation caused by certain types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an over-the-counter pain medication that can provide temporary pain relief and reduce fever. It’s commonly used to treat headaches, toothaches, muscular aches, menstrual cramps, fever associated with the common cold or flu, and minor arthritis pain. According to medical experts, it is safe to take meloxicam and Tylenol together for pain relief.
Can you take Tylenol with meloxicam?
“It is indeed generally safe to take Tylenol and meloxicam together, provided that they are used only in recommended doses and intervals for symptomatic relief, and in the absence of underlying conditions for which either of them might be toxic,” says J. Wes Ulm, MD, PhD, a physician-researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the DMV area. “The two drugs function synergistically for pain relief (enhancing each other’s analgesia, i.e., pain-relieving effect) yet through different mechanisms.”
A key to taking meloxicam and Tylenol together safely is to follow the specific dosage guidelines provided by your healthcare provider. “Exceeding 3,000 mg of Tylenol per day overwhelms the liver’s ability to process Tylenol, which can rapidly result in Tylenol toxicity,” says Dmitriy Fuzaylov, MD, a pain management physician at Innovation Spine Medical in New York City. “Use of Meloxicam in doses exceeding 15 mg daily is thought to be unlikely to result in significantly improved clinical outcomes and does not justify the risk of both kidney and gastrointestinal harm.”
If you have concerns about meloxicam and Tylenol dosages for pain management, please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Here’s a look at the key differences between Tylenol and meloxicam:
Comparing Tylenol vs. meloxicam |
||
|---|---|---|
| Drug information | Tylenol | Meloxicam |
| Drug class | Analgesic and antipyretic | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) |
| Standard dosage and forms | 2, 325 mg tablets every 4 to 6 hours | 1, 7.5 mg tablet once a day |
| Average cost without insurance | $3 at Walgreens | $8 at Kroger |
| SingleCare coupon | See latest prices | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of December 16, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
What are the side effects of taking Tylenol with meloxicam?
According to Dr. Ulm, there are no known side effects or drug interactions when taking Tylenol and meloxicam together. “This, in fact, is connected to some cases I encountered early in my own career,” he explains. “One involved an osteoarthritis patient who was taking both drugs for pain relief and anti-inflammatory effect. She had no other underlying conditions, her lab tests were within normal ranges, and she did not abuse alcohol or other drugs, and thus she tolerated both medications quite well when taken simultaneously for multi-day or weekly intervals.”
While taking Tylenol with meloxicam has no known side effects, both medications have individual adverse effects that you should be aware of.
Common side effects that may occur while taking Tylenol include nausea, stomach pain, headache, trouble sleeping, and rash. The side effects are typically mild and temporary.
“With Tylenol, the primary hazard as far as adverse effects is hepatic injury (liver damage), particularly if taken in high dosages,” Dr. Ulm says.
Other serious side effects of Tylenol can include:
- Bloody stools
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Severe stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Fever that was not present before taking Tylenol
- Peeling or blistering red skin rash
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), such as itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, and trouble breathing
A few common side effects of meloxicam include:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Constipation
- Sore throat
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Urination problems
- Dizziness
“For NSAIDs like meloxicam, the most concerning sources of undesired effects from the drugs—particularly if taken in high doses and/or for prolonged periods—include gastrointestinal upset, renal (kidney) effects, and potential for adverse impacts on the cardiovascular system, particularly for patients with underlying conditions,” Dr. Ulm explains.
Other severe side effects of the NSAID include the following:
- Cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure
- Liver damage or failure
- Anemia
- Asthma attacks
- Bleeding problems
- Severe allergic reactions
If you’re experiencing any serious side effects from taking Tylenol or meloxicam, please seek immediate medical attention by dialing 911 or visiting the nearest emergency room.
Considerations when taking meloxicam and Tylenol together
Medical experts say that taking meloxicam and Tylenol together is safe, but there are a few things to consider to reduce the risk of unwanted side effects.
Dr. Ulm recommends not consuming alcoholic beverages or tobacco while taking the pain medications. “Taking either or both drugs with alcohol is contraindicated, as alcoholic beverages can exacerbate the side effect profiles (particularly liver damage in the presence of excessive Tylenol usage),” he says. “Tobacco use, likewise, can exacerbate the GI side effects of meloxicam (including the risk of peptic ulcers).”
He also adds that there’s no need to space dosages between the two drugs, as long as they are taken following your healthcare provider’s guidelines.
Below are some other considerations while taking Tylenol:
- Don’t take acetaminophen if you consume three or more alcoholic beverages a day.
- Tylenol should not be taken longer than 10 days for pain relief or three days for reducing fever.
- Avoid taking more than 3,000 mg of Tylenol per day.
- Avoid taking more than one product containing acetaminophen at a time.
And here’s what you should know about taking meloxicam:
- Meloxicam could harm the fetus and cause delivery problems if taken around 20 weeks or later during pregnancy.
- Before having surgery, notify your healthcare provider that you’re taking meloxicam.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. But if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
If you have any questions or concerns about taking meloxicam with Tylenol, please consult your healthcare provider before making any medical decisions on your own.
Can you take Tylenol and meloxicam with other pain medications?
Dr. Fuzaylov lists the following pain medications that are safe to take with Tylenol and meloxicam:
| Drug class | Drug name |
| Muscle relaxants |
|
| Opiates (if indicated) |
|
| Atypical anticonvulsants |
|
| Tricyclic antidepressants |
|
“Do not forget that certain supplements may also achieve actions similar to meloxicam and Tylenol,” Dr. Fuzaylov says. “You are allowed to combine them with both meloxicam and Tylenol with minimal risk.”
According to Dr. Ulm, the following medications should be avoided when taking meloxicam and Tylenol together:
| Drug class | Drug name |
| Other NSAIDs |
|
| Anticoagulants |
|
| Antihypertensives |
|
Before taking meloxicam and Tylenol together, share your medication list with your healthcare provider. They can help you figure out which medications are safe (or unsafe) to take with the pain medication combination.
Bottom line
It is very safe to take Tylenol and meloxicam together, as the medications work differently in your body to relieve pain. Before combining these medicines, please consult your healthcare provider to confirm they’re safe for you to take.
- Acetaminophen, MedlinePlus (2025)
- Meloxicam, MedlinePlus (2024)
- Dmitriy Fuzaylov, M.D., at Innovation Spine Medical
- J. Wes Ulm, M.D., Ph.D., of National Institutes of Health (NIH)