Meloxicam is a generic drug that’s used to treat pain and inflammation caused by conditions like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Like ibuprofen, another common pain reliever, meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

The Cipla 159 pill is a meloxicam tablet that’s 15 mg. Learn more about the Cipla 159 pill, its usage, dosage, and side effects, and how to identify it.

What Is the Cipla 159 Pill?

The Cipla 159 pill is meloxicam, a prescription drug that’s in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class.[1] This pill is a generic form of meloxicam that Cipla USA produces.

How Is the Cipla 159 Pill Used?

Meloxicam is a drug used to relieve pain and decrease inflammation in conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), ankylosing spondylitis, menstrual pain, and minor to moderate pain like headache, muscle ache, and joint pain.[2] It can also reduce fever.

Meloxicam is a COX-2 inhibitor, a type of NSAID. The body has two types of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, both of which make prostaglandins. These hormone-like chemicals can cause pain, inflammation, and fever.

The different COX enzymes have different effects on the body. COX-1 enzymes make prostaglandins that help your blood clot and protect the lining of your stomach and intestinal tract.[3] COX-1 inhibitors block inflammation, but they also block positive effects like stomach protection and blood clotting control.

COX-2 enzymes make prostaglandins that are involved in inflammation. They mostly block inflammation rather than COX-1 enzymes.[4] This preserves your body’s blood clotting ability and doesn’t affect the stomach and intestinal lining protection.

Common NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, affect both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. These medications are nonselective NSAIDs. COX-2 inhibitors precisely target COX-2 enzymes and are known as selective NSAIDs.

Cipla 159 Pill Identification

The Cipla 159 pill is a 10 mm yellow, round pill with the imprint CIPLA 159.[5] It contains 15 mg of meloxicam and is supplied by Cipla USA. It’s only available by prescription, but it’s not a controlled substance.

In addition to the Cipla 159 pill, meloxicam may have different strengths when marketed under different brand names. The Cipla 159 pill is a generic version, but it’s also sold under the brands Mobic, Qmiiz, and Vivlodex.

Many versions of meloxicam are yellow tablets that are round or oval. They’re often meloxicam 7.5 mg or 15 mg and come with different manufacturer imprints, including U L 15, C 158, U L 7.5, and T 153.[6] Some have an imprint that indicates the dosage as well. Meloxicam tablets aren’t usually split; this medication is prescribed in specific dosages and should be taken as directed.

Along with tablets, meloxicam may be prescribed in capsules, dissolving capsules, and suspension forms.

Side Effects and Interactions

Meloxicam can have mild or serious side effects, including:[7]

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Itching or rash

Usually, these side effects go away after a few days or weeks. There are more serious side effects, such as:[8]

• Stomach and intestinal problems like bleeding ulcers or severe stomach pain
• Liver damage, including nausea, vomiting, and yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Liver failure
• Increased blood pressure
• Water retention or swelling
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Acute urinary retention
• Serious skin reactions like blistering, peeling, or rash
• Kidney damage, including anemia and pain with urination
• Heart attack or stroke
• Allergic reaction

Older people 65 years and older may have an increased risk of serious effects involving the heart, digestive system, or kidneys.

Meloxicam can interact with other medications, which may have clinically significant drug interactions or can interfere with how well the drug works. Some of the possible interactions include:[9]

• Antidepressants and anxiety medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, which can increase the risk of bleeding
• Corticosteroids, which can increase the risk of hemorrhagic gastric ulcer
• Certain cancer drugs, which can increase the risk of bleeding and infection
• Transplant drugs, which can cause possible acute renal failure
• Methotrexate, which can increase the risk of infection and severe renal impairment
• Anticoagulants, which can increase the risk of stomach bleeding
• Lithium, which can cause the levels of lithium to rise to dangerous levels
• Blood pressure drugs, which may limit their effectiveness
• Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can increase the risk of serious side effects

Safety Considerations and Precautions

Meloxicam is often started on the lowest dosage and increased over time until you find the effective dose. Taking meloxicam for long periods or at high doses increases the risk of adverse drug reactions occurring, particularly heart problems.

If you stop taking meloxicam, your symptoms may remain or worsen. Taking more than your dosage could harm your body and won’t be more effective.

A meloxicam overdose is a medical emergency. The symptoms of a meloxicam overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and stomach bleeding, as well as possible heart problems or organ failure.[10]

Before taking meloxicam, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, stomach ulcers or bleeding, kidney disease, liver disease, or asthma. Meloxicam is not safe for pregnant women and may cause heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby.

How to Handle Unidentified Pills

Tablets like the Cipla 159 pill can easily be mistaken for other drugs, leading to possible complications. If you find a pill you can’t identify, don’t just throw it away. Some pills can be dangerous for other people, children, animals, or the environment.

If you find the Cipla 159 pill or any other pill, it’s crucial to treat it like hazardous waste and dispose of it properly. The DEA has drug takeback facilities to help consumers dispose of drugs safely.[11] Look for your local drug takeback facility to dispose of prescription drugs like meloxicam and over-the-counter medications.

Though flushing medications poses a risk to the water supply and the environment, some drugs are allowed to be flushed, according to the FDA. For example, drugs that are too dangerous to risk falling into the hands of others, such as opioid painkillers, can be flushed. Be sure to check the flush list from the FDA before flushing any medication.[12]

You shouldn’t just throw pills away, especially if you don’t know what they are. If you throw pills in the trash, children or pets can access them. Trash also ends up in the landfill, so loose pills can contaminate the water supply.

If you don’t have another option, disposing of a drug in the trash may be acceptable if you take precautions. The medication should be in a sealed bag or container with all identifying information removed. Don’t crush or otherwise alter tablets or capsules. Try to throw the drug away with something that will deter children and pets, such as cat litter or coffee grounds.

No matter what, don’t share prescription medications with others. Your doctor knows your history and risks to make an informed decision about prescribing a specific drug. Someone else may have risk factors that make the drug unsafe for them, even if it’s safe for you or most other people.

Be Careful with Unidentified Pills

Unidentified pills can be a safety and environmental risk. If you find an unidentified pill like the Cipla 159 pill, try to identify it and dispose of it properly. It’s important to be responsible with medications to avoid them harming others or the environment.