Feldexam

Feldexam Capsule (10 mg, 20 mg) Feldexam Dispersible tablets 20 mg
Composition:
•    Capsules: Each capsule contains 10 or 20 mg piroxicam.
•    Dispersible tablets: Each Dispersible Tablet contains 20 mg Piroxicam.
Excipients:
•    Capsules :Lactose, maize starch, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate.
•    Dispersible tablets: Lactose, Microcrystalline cellulose, Hydroxypropyl cellulose, Sodium stearyl fumarate Cardiovascular Risk
•    NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk
•    piroxicam is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
Gastrointestinal Risk
NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events

MECHANISM OF ACTION:
Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities. Its mode of action, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.
PHARMACOKINETICS:
Absorption: Piroxicam is well absorbed following oral administration. Drug plasma  concentrations are proportional for 10 and 20 mg doses and generally peak within three to five hours after medication. With food there is a slight delay in the rate but not the extent of absorption following oral administration.
Distribution: 99% of plasma piroxicam is bound to plasma proteins. Piroxicam is excreted into human milk.
Metabolism: studies indicate cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) as the main enzyme involved in the formation of the major metabolite.
Excretion: Piroxicam and its biotransformation products are excreted in urine and feces, with about twice as much appearing in the urine as in the feces. Approximately 5% of a Piroxicam dose is excreted unchanged. The plasma half-life (T½) for piroxicam is approximately 50  hours.
Indications:
Feldexam is indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Contraindications:
•   In patients with known hypersensitivity to piroxicam.
•   It should not be given to patients with asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
•  For the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Warning:
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events:
Like other NSAIDs, piroxicam may cause CV side effects, Although serious CV events can occur without warning symptoms, physician and patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, slurring of speech, and should    ask for medical advice when observing any indicative signs or symptoms. To minimize the potential risk for this event in patients treated with an NSAID, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration possible.
Hypertension:
NSAIDs, including piroxicam, can lead to onset of new hypertension or worsening of preexisting hypertension, which may contribute to the increased incidence of CV events. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with hypertension. Blood pressure should be monitored closely during the initiation of NSAID treatment and throughout the course of therapy.
Congestive Heart Failure and Edema:
Fluid retention and edema have been observed in some patients taking NSAIDs, piroxicam should be used with caution in patients with fluid retention or heart failure
Gastrointestinal Effects:
NSAIDs should be prescribed with extreme caution in those with a prior history of ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, because they have an increased risk for developing a GI bleed. To minimize this risk, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest possible duration. Patients and physicians should remain alert for signs and symptoms of GI ulcerations and bleeding and promptly initiate additional evaluation and treatment if a serious GI event is  suspected.
Renal Effects & Renal Insufficiency
Long-term administration of NSAIDs has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury. Studies indicate patients with mild to moderate renal impairment may not require dosing adjustments.However, the pharmacokinetic properties of Piroxicam in patients with severe renal insufficiency or those receiving hemodialysis are not known.
Advanced Renal Disease:
Treatment with piroxicam is not recommended in these patients with advanced renal disease. If piroxicam therapy must be initiated, close monitoring of the patient’s renal function is advisable.
Anaphylactoid Reactions:
As with other NSAIDs, anaphylactoid reactions may occur in patients without known prior exposure to piroxicam. Emergency help should be sought in cases where an anaphylactoid reaction occurs.
Skin Reactions:
NSAIDs, including piroxicam, can cause serious skin adverse events such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal. Patients should be informed about these signs and symptoms and the use of  the drug should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity.
Other Hypersensitivity Reactions:
A combination of dermatological and/or allergic signs and symptoms suggestive of serum sickness has occasionally occurred in conjunction with the use of piroxicam.
Precautions:
General:
The pharmacological activity of piroxicam in reducing fever and inflammation may diminish the utility of these diagnostic signs in detecting complications of presumed noninfectious,  painful conditions.
Hepatic Effects:
Notable elevations of ALT or AST have been reported in approximately 1% of patients in  clinical trials, with NSAIDs. In addition, rare cases of severe hepatic reactions, including jaundice and fatal fulminant hepatitis, liver necrosis and hepatic failure, some of them with fatal outcomes have been reported. If clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop, or if systemic manifestations occur (e.g., eosinophilia, rash, etc.), piroxicam should be discontinued. Patients with hepatic disease may require reduced doses of Piroxicam as compared to patients with normal hepatic function.
Hematological Effects:
Patients on long-term treatment with NSAIDs, including piroxicam, should have their hemoglobin or hematocrit checked if they exhibit any signs or symptoms of anemia. Patients receiving piroxicam who may be adversely affected by alterations in platelet function, such  as those with coagulation disorders or patients receiving anticoagulants should be carefully monitored
Ophthalmologic Effects:
It is recommended that patients who develop visual complaints during treatment with piroxicam have ophthalmic evaluations.
Preexisting Asthma:
Since cross-reactivity between aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been reported in such aspirin-sensitive patients, piroxicam should not be administered to patients with this form of aspirin sensitivity and should be used with caution in patients with preexisting asthma.
Reversible Delayed Ovulation:
Based on the mechanism of action, the use NSAIDs, including piroxicam, may delay or prevent rupture of ovarian follicles, which has been associated with reversible infertility in some women. In women who have difficulties conceiving or who are undergoing investigation of infertility, withdrawal of NSAIDs, including piroxicam, should be considered.
Poor Metabolizers of CYP2C9 Substrates:
They should be administered Piroxicam with caution as they may have abnormally high plasma levels due to reduced metabolic clearance.
Pediatric Use:
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established for Feldexam.
Geriatric Use:
As with any NSAID, caution should be exercised in treating the elderly (65 years and older). In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting a greater frequency of impaired drug elimination and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Pregnancy:
Category C First and Second Trimester, Pregnancy Category D Third Trimester
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of piroxicam in pregnant women. During the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, use piroxicam only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. In late pregnancy, as with other NSAIDs, it should be avoided because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
Nursing mothers:
Piroxicam is present in human milk at about 1% to 3% of the maternal concentration. Exercise caution when piroxicam is administered to a nursing woman.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
ACE-inhibitors: NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors. In elderly, volume-depleted patients (Including those on diuretic therapy), or with compromised renal function, co administration of NSAIDs with ACE inhibitors, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure, these effects are usually reversible.
Aspirin: as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of Piroxicam and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential for increased adverse effects.
Diuretics: Piroxicam can reduce the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients.
Lithium: Piroxicam produced an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance, when they are administered concurrently, subjects should be observed  carefully for signs of lithium toxicity
Methotrexate: Caution should be used when NSAIDs are administered concomitantly with methotrexate, because studies may indicate that the concomitant use could enhance the toxicity of methotrexate.
Warfarin: The effects of warfarin and NSAIDs on GI bleeding are synergistic, such that users of both drugs together have a risk of serious GI bleeding higher than users of either drug alone.
Highly Protein Bound Drugs: Piroxicam is highly protein bound and, therefore, might be expected to displace other protein bound drugs, Physicians should closely monitor patients for a change in dosage when administering piroxicam to patients on other highly protein bound drugs.
ADVERSE REACTIONS:
In patients taking Piroxicam , the most frequently reported adverse experiences occurring in approximately 1–10% of patients are:
•   Cardiovascular System: Edema.
• Digestive System: Anorexia, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, elevated liver enzymes, flatulence, bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, ulcers (gastric/duodenal), vomiting.
•    Hemic and Lymphatic System: Anemia, Increased bleeding time.
•    Nervous System: Dizziness, headache.
•    Skin: Pruritus, rash.
•    Special Senses: Tinnitus.
•    Urogenital System: Abnormal renal function.
Additional adverse experiences reported occasionally include:
•   Body As a Whole: Fever, infection, sepsis.
•   Cardiovascular System: Congestive heart failure, hypertension, tachycardia, syncope.
•   Digestive System: Dry mouth, esophagitis, gastritis, glossitis, hematemesis, hepatitis, jaundice, melena, rectal bleeding, stomatitis.
• Hemic and Lymphatic System: Ecchymosis, eosinophilia, epistaxis, leukopenia, purpura, petechial rash, thrombocytopenia.
•  Metabolic and Nutritional: Weight changes, fluid retention.
• Nervous System: Anxiety, asthenia, confusion, depression, dream abnormalities, drowsiness, insomnia, malaise, nervousness, paresthesia, somnolence, tremors, vertigo.
•   Respiratory System: Asthma, dyspnea.
•  Skin and Appendages: Alopecia, bruising, desquamation, erythema, photosensitivity, sweat.
•  Senses: Blurred vision.
• Urogenital System: Cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, hyperkalemia, interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, oliguria/polyuria, proteinuria, renal  failure,  glomerulonephritis.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:
The prescription of piroxicam should be initiated by physicians with experience in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of patients with inflammatory or degenerative rheumatic diseases.
The maximum recommended daily dose is 20mg.
Adults: Initially 20mg given as a single daily dose. The majority of patients may be maintained on 20mg a day, a relatively small group of patients may be maintained on 10mg daily.
Children: Not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Elderly: There are no specific modifications required in the elderly, except where hepatic, renal or cardiac function is impaired, in which case dosage should be individually assessed. The elderly are at increased risk of the serious consequences of adverse reactions. If an NSAID is considered necessary, the lowest effective dose should be used and for the shortest possible duration. The patient should be monitored regularly for GI bleeding during NSAID therapy.
Piroxicam dispersible tablets:
The recommended starting dose is 10 mg daily. Thereafter the usual dose is 10 to 20 mg taken as a single dose each day, with or immediately after food.
Piroxicam dispersible tablets should be dispersed in a maximum of 50 ml of water and then swallowed.
OVERDOSAGE:
Symptoms following acute NSAID overdoses are usually limited to lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain, which are generally reversible with supportive care. Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur.
Patients should be managed by symptomatic and supportive care following an NSAID overdose. There are no specific antidotes. Emesis and/or activated charcoal (60–100 g in adults, 1–2 g/kg in children) and/or osmotic cathartic may be indicated. Forced diuresis, alkalinization of urine, hemodialysis, or hemoperfusion may not be useful due to high protein binding.
Storage conditions:
Store below 30°C.
How supplied:
•    Capsules: - Pack of 10 capsules for 20mg.
                      - Pack of 20 capsules for 10mg.
•    Dispersible Tablets: Pack of 8 Dispersible Tablets