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Piroxicam: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation and osteoarthritis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesUpdated Jul 24, 2026How we research

Key facts

Drug class
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Treats
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammation and Osteoarthritis
Available as
Capsule
Sold as
2 products — Piroxicam and Feldene
Prescription?
Prescription only
Generic available?
Yes
What the pharmacy pays
about $5 for a 30-count supply — not your price
Boxed warning
Boxed warning

How piroxicam is dosed

From the FDA label for Piroxicam (application ANDA208340). Other piroxicam products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Use the lowest effective dosage for shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals ( 2 ) OA and RA: 20 mg once daily ( 2 ) Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of piroxicam capsules and other treatment options before deciding to use piroxicam capsules. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 )] . After observing the response to initial therapy with piroxicam capsules, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs. For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the dosage is 20 mg given orally once per day. If desired, the daily dose may be divided. Because of the long half-life of piroxicam capsules, steady-state blood levels are not reached for 7 to12 days. Therefore, although the therapeutic effects of piroxicam capsules are evident early in treatment, there is a progressive increase in response over several weeks and the effect of therapy should not be assessed for two weeks.

Piroxicam side effects

Most common adverse reactions (incidence >2% from clinical trials) are: nausea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, edema, rash. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc. at 1-866-562-4616 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] GI Bleeding, Ulceration and Perforation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Heart Failure and Edema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Renal Toxicity and Hyperkalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Anaphylactic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Serious Skin Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Hematologic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In patients taking piroxicam or other NSAIDs, the most frequently reported adverse experiences…

Who shouldn’t take piroxicam

Known hypersensitivity to piroxicam or any components of the drug product ( 4 ) History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs ( 4 ) In the setting of CABG surgery ( 4 ) Piroxicam capsules are contraindicated in the following patients: Known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and serious skin reactions) to piroxicam or any components of the drug product [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.9 )] History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.8 )] In the setting of CABG surgery [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ]

Piroxicam drug interactions

Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (e.g. warfarin, aspirin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]/serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [SNRIs]) : Monitor patients for bleeding who are concomitantly taking piroxicam with drugs that interfere with hemostasis. Concomitant use of piroxicam and analgesic doses of aspirin is not generally recommended ( 7 ) Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors , Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB), or Beta-Blockers : Concomitant use with piroxicam may diminish the antihypertensive effect of these drugs. Monitor blood pressure ( 7 ) ACE Inhibitors and ARBs : Concomitant use with piroxicam in elderly, volume depleted, or those with renal impairment may result in deterioration of renal function. In such high risk patients, monitor for signs of worsening renal function ( 7 ) Diuretics : NSAIDs can reduce natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazide diuretics. Monitor patients to assure diuretic efficacy including antihypertensive effects ( 7 ) Digoxin : Concomitant use of piroxicam can increase serum concentration and prolong half-life of digoxin. Monitor serum digoxin levels ( 7 ) See Table 1 for clinically significant drug interactions with piroxicam. Drugs That Interfere with Hemostasis Clinical Impact: Piroxicam and anticoagulants such as warfarin have a synergistic effect on bleeding. The concomitant use of piroxicam and anticoagulants have an increased risk of serious bleeding compared to the use of either drug alone. Serotonin release by platelets plays an important role in hemostasis. Case-control and cohort epidemiological studies showed that concomitant use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and an NSAID may potentiate the risk of bleeding more than an NSAID alone. Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of piroxicam with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin), SSRIs, and SNRIs for signs of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )] . Aspirin Clinical Impact: Controlled clinical studies showed that the concomitant use of NSAIDs and analgesic doses of aspirin does not produce any greater therapeutic effect than the use of NSAIDs alone. In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was associated with a significantly increased incidence of GI adverse reactions as compared to use of the NSAID alone [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )] . Intervention: Concomitant use of piroxicam and analgesic doses of aspirin is not generally recommended because of the increased risk of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] . Piroxicam is not a substitute for low dose aspirin for cardiovascular protection. ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, and Beta-Blockers Clinical Impact: NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or beta-blockers (including propranolol). In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or have renal impairment, co-administration of an NSAID with ACE inhibitors or ARBs may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible. Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam and ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or beta-blockers, monitor blood pressure to ensure that the desired blood pressure is obtained. During concomitant use of piroxicam and ACE inhibitors or ARBs in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted, or have impaired renal function, monitor for signs of worsening renal function [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. When these drugs are administered concomitantly, patients should be adequately hydrated. Assess renal function at the beginning of the concomitant treatment and periodically thereafter. Diuretics Clinical Impact: Clinical studies, as well as post-marketing observations, showed that NSAIDs reduced the natriuretic effect of loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) and thiazide diuretics in some patients. This effect has been attributed to the NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam with diuretics, observe patients for signs of worsening renal function, in addition to assuring diuretic efficacy including antihypertensive effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . Digoxin Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of piroxicam with digoxin has been reported to increase the serum concentration and prolong the half-life of digoxin. Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam and digoxin, monitor serum digoxin levels. Lithium Clinical Impact: NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance . The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. This effect has been attributed to NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam and lithium, monitor patients for signs of lithium toxicity. Methotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction). Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity. Cyclosporine Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of piroxicam and cyclosporine may increase cyclosporine's nephrotoxicity. Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam and cyclosporine, monitor patients for signs of worsening renal function. NSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of piroxicam with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Intervention: The concomitant use of piroxicam with other NSAIDs or salicylates is not recommended. Pemetrexed Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of piroxicam and pemetrexed may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity (see the pemetrexed prescribing information). Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam and pemetrexed, in patients with renal impairment whose creatinine clearance ranges from 45 to 79 mL/min, monitor for myelosuppression, renal and GI toxicity. NSAIDs with short elimination half-lives (e.g., diclofenac, indomethacin) should be avoided for a period of two days before, the day of, and two days following administration of pemetrexed. In the absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration. Highly Protein Bound Drugs Clinical Impact: Piroxicam is highly protein bound and, therefore, might be expected to displace other protein bound drugs. Intervention: Physicians should closely monitor patients for a change in dosage requirements when administering piroxicam to patients on other highly protein bound drugs. Corticosteroids Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of corticosteroids with piroxicam may increase the risk of GI ulceration or bleeding. Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of piroxicam with corticosteroids for signs of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] .

Every piroxicam product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Piroxicam products
#DrugRatingPharmacy pays
172/100$5View →
264/100$5View →

What piroxicam pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Piroxicam pill imprints
ImprintStrengthColourShape
P1010 mgred, bluecapsule
P2020 mgred, redcapsule
PR;1010 mgred, bluecapsule
PR;2020 mgredcapsule
U;25510 mgred, bluecapsule
U;25620 mgredcapsule
P2020 mgred, redcapsule
P1010 mgred, bluecapsule
P1010 mgred, bluecapsule
P2020 mgred, redcapsule

Can you crush or split piroxicam?

The piroxicam labels that address it permit crushing or splitting in the terms they state — quoted per product, because the instruction belongs to the form.

What each piroxicam label says about crushing, splitting and chewing

How long piroxicam keeps

No piroxicam label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.

Does piroxicam expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labels

Piroxicam and breastfeeding

From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.

Low amounts of piroxicam in milk and failure to detect piroxicam or its metabolites in the urine of 2 older infants indicates that it would not be expected to cause adverse effects in older breastfed infants. Because there is no published experience with piroxicam during breastfeeding in the newborn period, shorter-acting agents may be preferred while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Full LactMed record for piroxicam: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider instead

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised June 15, 2025. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.

What people report to the FDA about piroxicam

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 6,991 reports naming piroxicam, and the FDA flagged 83% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

  • drug hypersensitivity980 reports
  • rash932 reports
  • arthralgia929 reports
  • fatigue882 reports
  • diarrhoea873 reports
  • nausea861 reports
  • rheumatoid arthritis854 reports
  • psoriatic arthropathy825 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean piroxicam caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 27, 2026.

Related calculators

Frequently asked questions

What is piroxicam?

Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammation, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis.

What kind of drug is piroxicam?

The FDA classifies piroxicam as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that your body uses to make prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling, and fever. Lowering prostaglandins eases pain and inflammation and brings down a high temperature. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take piroxicam with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run piroxicam against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is piroxicam sold under?

We track 2 piroxicam-containing products in the U.S.: Piroxicam and Feldene. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does piroxicam come in?

Across the brands we track, piroxicam is currently marketed as capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic piroxicam?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic piroxicam product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Cite this page
APA
pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Piroxicam: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/piroxicam
MLA
“Piroxicam: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/piroxicam.

We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Read the full FDA label for piroxicam on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.