Feldene (Piroxicam)

Introduction

Feldene is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) whose active ingredient is piroxicam. It is supplied as oral tablets in strengths of 10 mg and 20 mg. Piroxicam belongs to the oxicam class of NSAIDs and is primarily indicated for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In some jurisdictions it is also approved for the short-term treatment of mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain, postoperative pain, and dysmenorrhea. The medication works by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, thereby reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins that mediate inflammation and pain.

What is Feldene?

Feldene is the generic version of well-known medications, containing the active compound piroxicam. Our online pharmacy provides this generic alternative as a cost-effective treatment option. Piroxicam was first synthesized in the s and later approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for oral use. The drug is manufactured by several licensed pharmaceutical companies; the most recognized brand-name versions are marketed under brand names such as Feldene, Pirox, and Feldene SR. The tablets are formulated for oral administration and contain inert excipients that vary slightly between manufacturers but do not affect the therapeutic action of the active compound.

How Feldene Works

Piroxicam inhibits both cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), the enzymes responsible for converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H₂, the precursor of all prostaglandins and thromboxanes. By reducing prostaglandin production, piroxicam diminishes inflammation, lowers peripheral sensitization of nociceptors, and consequently eases pain.

Key pharmacokinetic points:

• Onset of action: Clinical analgesia typically begins within 2-4 hours after oral ingestion.
• Peak plasma concentration: Reached approximately 2 hours post-dose.
• Elimination half-life: Long, ranging from 35 to 45 hours, allowing once-daily dosing for chronic conditions.
• Clearance: Primarily hepatic metabolism via glucuronidation, with renal excretion of metabolites.

The extended half-life contributes to sustained anti-inflammatory effects but also necessitates caution in patients with impaired liver or kidney function.

Conditions Treated with Feldene

1. Osteoarthritis - Piroxicam reduces joint swelling and pain, improving mobility and function. The drug’s long half-life permits steady plasma levels, which is advantageous for chronic joint disease.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis - By dampening prostaglandin-mediated inflammation, piroxicam alleviates synovial inflammation and joint tenderness, complementing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

3. Acute musculoskeletal pain - Short-term use (up to 7 days) for sprains, strains, or minor injuries benefits from rapid analgesia without the need for multiple daily doses.

4. Post-operative pain - When prescribed for up to 5 days after minor surgical procedures, piroxicam provides comparable pain relief to other NSAIDs with a convenient once-daily regimen.

5. Dysmenorrhea - For women experiencing menstrual cramps, piroxicam’s inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis can reduce uterine contractility and associated pain.

All indications are based on regulatory approvals (FDA, EMA) and supported by randomized controlled trials demonstrating statistically significant reductions in pain scores and inflammatory markers when compared with placebo.

Off-Label and Investigational Uses of Feldene

• Psoriatic arthritis - Small pilot studies have indicated that piroxicam may improve joint symptoms and skin lesions, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the FDA and EMA have not approved it for this condition.

• Migraine prophylaxis - A limited number of open-label investigations suggest that daily low-dose piroxicam may reduce migraine frequency, but robust evidence is lacking and safety in this context is not established.

• Cancer-related pain - Some oncology centers have employed piroxicam as part of multimodal analgesia for bone metastasis pain, based on its prolonged action; this use remains investigational and should be supervised by a specialist.

Disclaimer: These off-label applications have not undergone full regulatory evaluation. Patients should discuss any consideration of such uses with a qualified healthcare provider who can assess risks, benefits, and alternative therapies.

Is Feldene the Right Medication for You?

Suitable candidates include adults with confirmed osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis who require continuous anti-inflammatory therapy and can tolerate NSAIDs. Individuals with mild to moderate acute musculoskeletal pain who prefer a once-daily tablet may also benefit.

Contraindications (situations where Feldene should not be used) encompass:

• Known hypersensitivity to piroxicam, oxicams, or any tablet excipients.
• History of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding without protective therapy.
• Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) or renal failure (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min).
• Established cardiovascular disease (e.g., recent myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension) where NSAID use increases risk.

Patients with these conditions should consider alternative analgesics or receive close monitoring if piroxicam is deemed necessary.

Risks, Side Effects, and Interactions

Common

• Gastrointestinal discomfort - dyspepsia, nausea, abdominal pain.
• Headache - mild to moderate intensity.
• Dizziness - often transient upon initiation.

Rare

• Elevated liver enzymes - asymptomatic transaminase rise, usually reversible upon discontinuation.
• Skin reactions - mild rash or pruritus.

Serious

• Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding - may present as melena, hematemesis, or severe abdominal pain.
• Renal impairment - acute rise in serum creatinine or oliguria, especially in dehydrated patients.
• Severe hypersensitivity reactions - Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylaxis.

Drug-Drug Interactions

• Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants) - increased bleeding risk; monitor INR or signs of hemorrhage.
• Other NSAIDs or cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors - additive gastrointestinal toxicity.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, and diuretics - may reduce renal perfusion; monitor renal function.
• Lithium - NSAIDs can raise serum lithium levels, risking toxicity.

Drug-Food Interactions

• Alcohol - potentiates gastrointestinal bleeding; limit consumption.
• High-salt meals - may exacerbate hypertension when combined with NSAID-induced sodium retention.

Patients should disclose all medications, supplements, and dietary habits to their prescriber to mitigate interaction risk.

Use: Dosing, Missed Dose, Overdose

• Standard dosing for chronic arthritis: 20 mg once daily, taken with a full glass of water. In some cases, a 10 mg dose is initiated for frail patients or those with borderline renal/hepatic function.
• Acute pain: 10 mg to 20 mg as a single dose; if relief is insufficient after 12 hours, a second dose may be taken, not exceeding 20 mg per 24 hours.

Missed dose - Take the forgotten tablet as soon as remembered unless the next scheduled dose is within 4 hours. In that case, skip the missed tablet and continue with the regular dosing interval; do not double the dose.

Overdose - Symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dizziness. Immediate medical attention is required. Supportive care, gastric lavage, and monitoring of renal and hepatic function are typical emergency measures.

Practical precautions -

• Administer with food or milk to lessen gastrointestinal irritation.
• Avoid concurrent alcohol consumption.
• Do not operate heavy machinery or drive until you know how the medication affects you, especially during the first days of therapy.

FAQ

• What should I do if I experience stomach pain while taking Feldene? If you develop persistent abdominal discomfort, report it to a healthcare professional promptly. The prescriber may recommend a proton-pump inhibitor or switch to an alternative analgesic to protect the gastrointestinal lining.

• Can I travel internationally with Feldene tablets? Yes, Feldene tablets can be taken on flights, but keep them in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription or a pharmacist’s note, as some countries require documentation for NSAIDs.

• How should I store Feldene tablets in hot climates? Store the tablets at temperatures below 30 °C (86 °F) in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. If you live in a very hot region, keep the medication in a climate-controlled cabinet or a cooler bag.

• Are there any inactive ingredients that could trigger allergies? Common excipients in Feldene tablets include lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate. Patients with known allergies to these substances should verify the specific formulation provided by the pharmacy.

• Does piroxicam affect standard drug-testing results? Piroxicam is not typically screened for in standard occupational or sports drug tests. However, high-performance liquid chromatography methods could detect it if specifically requested.

• Is Feldene safe for patients with mild hypertension? NSAIDs can cause modest increases in blood pressure. Patients with controlled, mild hypertension should monitor their blood pressure regularly and discuss continued use with their clinician.

• Can I take Feldene together with herbal supplements like ginkgo biloba? Ginkgo biloba has antiplatelet activity, which may enhance bleeding risk when combined with NSAIDs. Consultation with a healthcare provider is advised before concurrent use.

• What is the shelf-life of Feldene tablets after opening the bottle? The typical shelf-life is two years from the date of manufacture, provided the bottle remains tightly sealed and storage conditions are followed. Check the expiration date printed on the packaging.

• Does Feldene interact with hormonal contraceptives? Piroxicam does not significantly affect the efficacy of combined oral contraceptives, but NSAID-induced gastrointestinal upset could reduce absorption of any oral medication; taking both with food minimizes this risk.

• Why does Feldene have a long half-life compared with other NSAIDs? The oxicam chemical structure confers a high degree of plasma protein binding and slower metabolic clearance, resulting in a half-life of 35-45 hours. This allows once-daily dosing but also requires careful dose adjustment in patients with impaired clearance.

Glossary

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX)

An enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, which mediate inflammation, pain, and fever.

Oxicam

A subclass of NSAIDs characterized by a heterocyclic enolic acid structure; piroxicam is a representative member.

Protein binding

The proportion of a drug that is attached to plasma proteins (e.g., albumin). Highly bound drugs have a longer duration of action and may be displaced by other highly bound substances.

Prostaglandin

Lipid compounds that act locally to induce inflammation, vasodilation, fever, and pain sensations.

Buying Feldene from Our Online pharmacy

Feldene can be obtained conveniently from our online pharmacy. By sourcing the generic piroxicam tablets through us, patients benefit from pricing that approaches the manufacturer’s cost, eliminating the markup often seen in domestic pharmacies. Every batch is sourced from licensed, audited suppliers that meet rigorous quality-control standards, ensuring the medication’s purity and potency.

Our service includes discreet packaging and reliable delivery options: express shipping typically arrives within 7 days, while standard airmail takes approximately 3 weeks. As a pharmacy broker, we collaborate with overseas licensed pharmacies, which enables us to provide international medications that might otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable locally. The entire process respects patient privacy, with no external labeling that reveals the product’s identity.

Choosing our online pharmacy offers a secure, cost-effective pathway for individuals facing limited access to Feldene through conventional channels, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and confidentiality.

Disclaimer

The information presented about Feldene is intended for general educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. All therapeutic decisions, including any consideration of off-label applications, must be made under the direct supervision of a qualified healthcare provider. Readers are presumed to be adults capable of making informed health choices. Our online pharmacy supplies Feldene to individuals who may encounter restricted availability via conventional pharmacies, insurance-linked prescription programs, or who are seeking affordable generic alternatives. Always discuss with your clinician before initiating, adjusting, or discontinuing any medication.