What it's for (Indications)
- Management of pain and inflammatory conditions associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gout, and juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA).
Dosage Information
| Type | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Standard | Administer the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the typical dosage is 20 mg orally once daily. The daily dose may be divided if desired. Dose and frequency should be adjusted based on individual patient response. Steady-state blood levels are reached in 7 to 12 days. Tablets should be swallowed whole with water, either with or without food, and must not be broken, chewed, or crushed. Do not exceed the suggested dose or duration recommended by a physician. Store at room temperature, away from direct heat and sunlight, and out of reach of children and pets. |
Safety & Warnings
Common Side Effects
- Common side effects include nausea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, edema (swelling), rash (skin irritation and reactions), impaired vision, ringing ears (tinnitus), itching, photosensitivity, malaise (body ache), and brain effects.
- More serious adverse reactions include gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer, GI ulceration and perforation, cardiovascular thrombotic events (e.
- g.
- , myocardial infarction, stroke), hepatotoxicity, hypertension, heart failure, renal toxicity, hyperkalemia, anaphylactic reactions, serious skin reactions, and hematologic toxicity.
Serious Warnings
- Black Box Warning: WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. Piroxicam Capsules are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- Piroxicam carries an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events (including fatal myocardial infarction and stroke), serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation (which can be fatal), hepatotoxicity, hypertension, heart failure and edema, renal toxicity and hyperkalemia, anaphylactic reactions, serious skin reactions, and hematologic toxicity.
- Use with extreme caution in older individuals, children younger than 12 years, and patients with severe infections, allergies, asthma, bleeding disorders, hypertension, or inadequate kidney, liver, or heart function (particularly elderly patients).
- Pregnant females should only use if no safer alternative exists for a serious problem, and lactating females should consult their doctor.
- Patients on long-term therapy and those with phenylketonuria should be monitored.
- A history of gastrointestinal disorders leading to bleeding abnormalities or hypersensitivity/asthma-like responses to piroxicam, its components, or other NSAIDs requires careful consideration.
How it Works (Mechanism of Action)
Piroxicam exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties primarily through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), thereby decreasing prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in peripheral tissues. Prostaglandins are known to sensitize afferent nerves and mediate inflammation.