Side Effects of Feldene (piroxicam)

Feldene is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that relieves mild to moderate pain caused by various conditions such as injury, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. It works by reducing levels of prostaglandins, which are responsible for pain, fever, and inflammation.

Common side effects of Feldene include rash, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, fluid retention, sensitivity to sunlight, and ringing in the ears.

Serious side effects of Feldene may include increased bleeding after an injury, stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers (black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing), impaired kidney function, allergic reactions (more common in patients with asthma), blood clots, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and heart failure.

Drug interactions of Feldene include lithium, which may lead to lithium toxicity. Feldene may also reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of certain medications and can have adverse effects when combined with methotrexate, aminoglycoside antibiotics, oral blood thinners, or anticoagulants.

Feldene should not be used during late pregnancy as it may cause premature closing of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus. It is excreted into breast milk, so use by breastfeeding mothers is not recommended.

Important Side Effects of Feldene (piroxicam)

The most common side effects of piroxicam are rash, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, fluid retention, sensitivity to sunlight, and photosensitivity. NSAIDs can increase the risk of bleeding after an injury and may cause stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers. People who are allergic to other NSAIDs should not use piroxicam. The use of NSAIDs can also lead to impaired kidney function, allergic reactions in individuals with asthma, fluid retention, blood clots, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and heart failure.

Feldene (piroxicam) side effects for healthcare professionals

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: cardiovascular thrombotic events, GI bleeding, ulceration and perforation, hepatotoxicity, hypertension, heart failure and edema, renal toxicity and hyperkalemia, anaphylactic reactions, serious skin reactions, and hematologic toxicity.

Clinical Trials Experience

In patients taking Feldene or other NSAIDs, the most frequently reported adverse experiences occurring in approximately 1–10% of patients are dizziness, headache, vertigo, pruritus, and rash. Additional adverse reactions include palpitations, stomatitis, and drowsiness.

Postmarketing Experience

Postmarketing use of Feldene has reported adverse reactions such as fever, infection, sepsis, anaphylactic reactions, appetite changes, death, flu-like syndrome, pain, congestive heart failure, hypertension, tachycardia, syncope, arrhythmia, gastrointestinal issues, hematemesis, and abnormalities in the nervous system, respiratory system, skin, and urogenital system.

Drug Interactions with Feldene (piroxicam)

Clinically significant drug interactions with piroxicam include increased bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants, potentiated risk of bleeding when combined with drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake, reduced antihypertensive effect when used with certain medications, increased risk of renal function deterioration when used with ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and the need to monitor blood pressure and renal function when combined with certain drugs.

Summary

Feldene (piroxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that alleviates pain and inflammation. It is used to treat various conditions such as injury, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. Common side effects include rash, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, fluid retention, sensitivity to sunlight, and ringing in the ears. Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.