What Causes A Constant Feeling Of Hunger When On Meloxicam?

Posted on Sun, 8 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 8 Feb 2015 Answered on

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had been taking maloxicam, which I stopped on my own. I have a constant feeling of hunger, which I have never had. It feels a little better when I eat, but not for long.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Due to gastritis from Meloxicam

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
Meloxicam is producing a gastritis in you and you feel it as hunger.
You would feel better if you take an OTC antacid like Gaviscon.
If you have to continue using Meloxicam, then you should take a PPI also to prevent gastritis.
Take care,
Dr Noble Zachariah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (11 minutes later)

I stopped the meloxicam a week ago, but the feeling of hunger has not gone away. Would it be possible that it could take some time?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Take time to heal on its own.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, such inflammations take time to settle on their own, may be upto 4 weeks.
You can take a PPI like omeprazole to speed up the healing.
In the mean time you may feel less pain if you avoid spices, acidic food like lemon, orange, viniger, tomatoes and beverages containing caffeine and alcohol.
If such symptoms are recurrent even after a month, you should have an upper GI endoscopy and test for H.Pylori which can cause gastric and duodenal ulceration.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar