{"id":635519,"date":"2026-03-05T14:47:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T19:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635519"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T20:00:57","slug":"does-meloxicam-make-you-sleepy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-meloxicam-make-you-sleepy\/","title":{"rendered":"Meloxicam and sleep: Why you may feel tired"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meloxicam<\/span><\/a> is a prescription generic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (<\/span>NSAID<\/span><\/a>) that helps manage pain and inflammation. It\u2019s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). For many people, meloxicam is an important part of their treatment plan, but like any medication, meloxicam comes with side effects. Some may wonder whether it can make them feel tired or sleepy. In this article, we\u2019ll break down how meloxicam works, whether it can cause sleepiness, and practical steps you can take to avoid drowsiness and use the medication safely.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Does meloxicam make you sleep?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, some people report feeling sleepy or fatigued, but it\u2019s not one of the drug\u2019s most common side effects. Drowsiness and somnolence are listed on the <\/span>drug label<\/span><\/a> as side effects that occurred in fewer than 2% of clinical trial participants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Genovese<\/span><\/a>, MD, a physician and chief medical adviser at <\/span>AscendantNY<\/span><\/a> in New York City, says, \u201cFatigue or sleepiness can also occur as a side effect or indirectly due to drug-induced insomnia or potential liver issues, but are not common symptoms and they should be reported to your doctor, especially if they are severe or come with signs of medication overdose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

NSAIDs<\/span><\/a>, in general, have been associated with central nervous system (CNS) effects, such as confusion, sleepiness, and dizziness. In addition, insomnia is a side effect that\u2019s been reported in more than 2% of patients taking the medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For most people, side effects are mild, but they can become more noticeable if you take doses that are higher than normal, have certain health conditions, or are combining meloxicam with another drug that causes the side effect in question.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If meloxicam consistently makes you feel tired or sleepy, check in with your healthcare provider. They can determine whether the medication is the cause and whether an adjustment or alternative might help. For example, if you\u2019re prescribed meloxicam 15 mg tablets, they may lower your dose to 7.5 mg tablets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does meloxicam make you sleepy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Research doesn\u2019t offer a clear answer as to why meloxicam makes some people feel sleepy, but there are some possible reasons based on how it works. Meloxicam works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme involved in inflammation and pain signaling. Although it mainly acts outside the brain, NSAIDs like meloxicam can still cross the <\/span>blood-brain barrier<\/span><\/a> and affect the central nervous system. This can result in side effects such as fatigue, slowed thinking, confusion, or drowsiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe anti-inflammatory effect reduces prostaglandins, which help regulate pain perception,\u201d says <\/span>Eve Elizabeth Pennie<\/span><\/a>, MD, a physician, epidemiologist, and Medical Expert at <\/span>Drugwatch<\/span><\/a>. \u201cMild dizziness or changes in blood pressure can also be felt as fatigue,\u201d she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

CNS depressant effects <\/span>are reversible<\/span><\/a> and more often reported in situations of overdosing on the drug. According to the drug\u2019s prescribing information, severe outcomes like high blood pressure, kidney failure, slowed breathing (respiratory depression), and coma have occurred, but these are considered rare side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s still more to study on how NSAIDs like meloxicam affect sleep and energy. \u201cOnce pain or inflammation improves, many people also experience a rebound-type fatigue,\u201d Dr. Pennie says. In addition, one small clinical study found that <\/span>NSAIDs may disrupt normal sleep cycles<\/span><\/a>, which could contribute to feeling tired the next day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common meloxicam side effects\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

More <\/span>common side effects of meloxicam<\/span><\/a> in adults include:<\/span><\/p>\n