Brand Names of Piroxicam
The brand name of piroxicam is Feldene. 1
Evidence from Guidelines
According to the American Family Physician guidelines, piroxicam (Feldene) is classified as a nonselective NSAID that is available in prescription form. The standard dosage is 20 mg daily, with a monthly cost of approximately $15 for the generic version and $133 for the brand name version (as of 2009). 1
Piroxicam belongs to the oxicam class of NSAIDs, which is chemically distinct from other NSAID classes such as acetic acids (like diclofenac) or propionic acids (like naproxen). 2
Clinical Characteristics
Piroxicam has several notable characteristics:
- Long half-life of approximately 40 hours, which enables once-daily dosing 3, 4
- Available in multiple formulations including:
- Capsules (standard 20 mg formulation)
- Suppositories (bioequivalent to 20 mg capsules)
- Dispersible tablets
- Topical gel (0.5%)
- Parenteral (injectable) formulation 5
Safety Considerations
Like other NSAIDs, piroxicam carries risks of adverse effects:
- Gastrointestinal complaints are the most frequently reported side effects 3, 4
- The frequency and severity of these effects are dose-related 4
- Upper gastrointestinal tract issues including peptic ulcer and hemorrhages have been reported 6
- As with other NSAIDs, piroxicam may increase cardiovascular risk 2
Clinical Applications
Piroxicam has demonstrated efficacy in:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Dysmenorrhea
- Postoperative pain 3
Precautions
When prescribing piroxicam, particularly to older adults, consider:
- Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in patients with history of peptic ulcer disease 6
- Potential for drug interactions with anticoagulants, corticosteroids, and other medications that may increase bleeding risk 7
- Increased risk of adverse effects in older adults (>75 years) 1
Piroxicam is marketed under the brand name Feldene, with generic versions also available at significantly lower cost.