Piroxicam is a
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the
oxicam class used to relieve the symptoms of painful inflammatory conditions like
arthritis.[4][5] Piroxicam works by preventing the production of endogenous
prostaglandins which are involved in the mediation of pain, stiffness, tenderness and swelling.[4] The medicine is available as
capsules,
tablets and, in some countries, as a prescription-free
gel 0.5%.[6] It is also available in a betadex formulation, which allows a more rapid absorption of piroxicam from the digestive tract.[4] Piroxicam is one of the few NSAIDs that can be given parenteral routes.[citation needed]
It was patented in 1968 by
Pfizer and approved for medical use in 1979.[7] It became generic in 1992,[8] and is marketed worldwide under many brandnames.[1]
Medical uses
It is used in the treatment of certain inflammatory conditions like
rheumatoid and
osteoarthritis, primary
dysmenorrhoea, and postoperative pain; it acts as an
analgesic, especially where there is an
inflammatory component.[4] The
European Medicines Agency issued a review of its use in 2007 and recommended that its use be limited to the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions, as it is only in these circumstances that its risk-benefit ratio proves to be favourable.[6][9]
In October 2020, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required the
drug label to be updated for all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to describe the risk of kidney problems in unborn babies that result in low amniotic fluid.[10][11] They recommend avoiding NSAIDs in pregnant women at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy.[10][11]
The project that produced piroxicam began in 1962 at
Pfizer; the first clinical trial results were reported in 1977, and the product launched in 1980 under the brand name "Feldene".[8][13] Major patents expired in 1992[8] and the drug is marketed worldwide under many brandnames.[1]
^"Active substance: piroxicam"(PDF). List of nationally authorised medicinal products. European Medicines Agency. 10 December 2020.
^
abcdefgBrayfield A, ed. (14 January 2014).
"Piroxicam". Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. London, UK: Pharmaceutical Press. Archived from
the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2014.