Piroxicam

Drug name: Piroxicam


Other names used:

• Brexin®
• Feldene®
• Reumador®
• Vurdon®

Active Ingredients: Piroxicam

Therapeutic actions: Piroxicam and other NSAIDs work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.

Indications:

• Acute musculoskeletal disorders.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Ankylosing spondylitis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Acute gout.
• Pain after operative intervention and following acute trauma.
• Primary Dysmenorrhea.
• For relief of pain and fever associated with acute upper respiratory tract in flammation

Contraindications and cautions:
You should not take piroxicam if:

• You are allergic to piroxicam, or any of the inactive components used to make this medicine. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist has a list of the inactive ingredients.
• You have an active bleeding condition, such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding within the head.
• You have an allergic reaction, hives, or asthma that is caused by aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• You are having or have recently had coronary bypass graft surgery (often known as open heart surgery, bypass surgery, or just CABG).
• You are in the third trimester of pregnancy or nursing.

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking piroxicam if you have:

• Asthma
• Heart disease, including congestive heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Liver disease or liver failure
• Kidney disease or kidney failure
• Bleeding problems (or if you are taking medicine that decreases the ability of blood to clot)
• Diabetes
• Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of either condition
• Any allergies to medicines, including aspirin or other NSAID pain medicines.

Let your healthcare provider know if you:

• Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Drink alcohol frequently
• Smoke
• Are having or have recently had heart surgery.

Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Swelling
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Gas
• Unexplained bleeding
• Ulcer in the stomach or intestines (peptic ulcer)
• Anemia
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Tiredness or weakness
• Unexplained rash
• Itching
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

As with any drug, there is the potential for serious side effects with piroxicam. The U.S. Food and drug Administration (FDA) warns that people using NSAIDs, including piroxicam, may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke than those people who do not take NSAIDs. This warning does not apply to those who take aspirin. This risk may be higher in people who have been taking NSAIDs for a long time. These events can occur without any warning and can lead to loss of life. Get emergency medical help by calling 911 or an ambulance as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness on one side of your body
• Slurred speech.

Other possible serious side effects of piroxicam include, but are not limited to:

• Allergic reactions such as swelling of the face or body, blisters, unexplained skin rash, wheezing, or difficultly breathing
• Stomach or intestinal problems, including bleeding, ulcers, or a hole (known as a perforation)
• Liver damage, which can cause nausea, fatigue, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, and excessive tiredness
• Kidney problems, including kidney failure
• Fluid retention or unexplained weight gain
• Congestive heart failure
• Sensation that the pill is stuck in your throat.

Because piroxicam can increase the risk of major or life-threatening bleeding, you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or have any of the following symptoms:

• Bloody nose
• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Vomiting blood
• Red or purple spots on the skin.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
Especially pay attention to the following drugs:

• Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®)
• Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®, Anaprox®, Naprosyn®, Naprelan®), diclofenac (Cataflam®, Voltaren®), indomethacin (Indocin®), nabumetone (Relafen®), oxaprozin (Daypro®), celecoxib (Celebrex®), etodolac (Lodine®, Lodine® XL), meloxicam (Mobic®), and others
• Aspirin
• Lithium (Eskalith®, Lithane®, Lithonate®, Lithotabs®)
• Diuretics, such as torsemide (Demadex®), furosemide (Lasix®), and hydrochlorothiazide
• ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril®, Prinivil®), fosinopril (Monopril®), captopril (Capoten®), quinapril (Accupril®), benazepril (Lotensin®), enalapril (Vasotec®), or ramipril (Altace®)
• Methotrexate (Rheumatrex®, Trexall™)
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, hydrocortisone (Cortef®), dexamethasone (Decadron®, Dexone®, Hexadrol®), and many others.

Several herbal and nutritional supplements can also interact with piroxicam and may increase the risk of bleeding. Examples of these include, but are not limited to:

• Dong quai
• Feverfew
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo biloba
• Ginseng
• St. John's wort
• Fish oil supplements.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.