Piroxicam helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It is used to provide relief in pain associated with joint disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of the joints of your spine), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in joints of fingers, wrist, feet, ankles) and osteoarthritis (joint pain and swelling due to bone damage or deterioration).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Piroxicam exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Piroxicam is available as a capsule or orodispersible tablet.
If you are taking the capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the orodispersible tablet:
- Remove it from the foil only just before you take it. Do not leave the orodispersible tablet exposed to air. Do not push the orodispersible tablet through the foil as it is fragile and easily broken.
- Remove the orodispersible tablet with dry hands by peeling the backing off the foil and tipping the tablet onto your dry hands.
- Place the orodispersible tablet directly on your tongue as soon as it is taken out of the foil. The orodispersible tablet will immediately start to melt on the tongue. It can then be swallowed with or without water.
Do not cut, chew or crush the orodispersible tablets.
The dose of Piroxicam will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the dose and course of your treatment depending on your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Piroxicam if you ever had a history of allergic reactions (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes, asthma) to this medicine or other similar painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or celecoxib.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- active or a history of stomach ulcer, perforation, or bleeding
- active or a history of bowel inflammation e.g. Crohn’s disease (long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract), ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestines)
- history of severe skin reactions (e.g. rashes with skin peeling or blistering)
- severe heart disease
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are on your 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Piroxicam should not be used to treat pain before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Do not take Piroxicam with other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or celecoxib, and with blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease e.g. mild to moderate heart failure, recent heart attack, stroke
- risks of having heart problems e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, smoking
- asthma
- blood disorders
- swollen ankles, feet or hand
- dehydration
- low blood volume circulating in the body
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
This medicine may make it more difficult for women to become pregnant. Inform your doctor if you are planning to have a baby soon or if you have problems becoming pregnant.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to an elderly or those who are debilitated (a person who is physically or mentally weak usually due to illness or old age). Elderly and debilitated people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Piroxicam.
Some genetic traits can affect this medicine’s efficacy. Individuals who are poor metabolisers of CYP2C9 may experience enhanced side effects of Piroxicam and may require dose adjustments. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to undergo genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure before and during your treatment with Piroxicam.
- You may also need to have routine tests (e.g. blood tests, liver function tests) while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- Eye examination may also be performed if this medicine is taken for a long period of time.
Piroxicam may cause dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness or some problems with your eyesight such as blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or discomfort, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach wind, loss of appetite, swelling of the ankles, feet or hand, skin rash and itching.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen face, eyes, tongue or throat
- pass out bloody stools or black as tar and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- chest pain or tightness, palpitation
- frequent sore throat, mouth ulcer, fever
- severe persistent stomach pain, unusual tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes
- rashes with peeling or blistering of the skin, lips, mouth, eyes or genitals accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Piroxicam with other medicines for pain and inflammation such as NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, celecoxib) and with blood-thinning medicines (e.g. warfarin).
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat depression e.g. sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines) e.g. prednisolone, dexamethasone
- medicines for heart disease and high blood pressure e.g. digoxin, captopril, losartan
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- quinolone antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin
- lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Piroxicam.
Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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