Pirox 20 mg is used for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is categorized under non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It helps to relieve the pain and inflammation associated with these conditions.

Take Pirox only as directed by your doctor. Avoid taking more of it or longer than your doctor has recommended. If possible, you should prefer taking the lowest dose for the shortest period. Taking too much of this medicine may increase your chance of undesired and sometimes dangerous side effects, especially if you are an elderly patient, have other medical conditions or take other medications. Pirox capsules should be taken immediately after a meal or with food or milk.

Your doctor will examine the potential benefits and risks of Pirox and other treatment options before prescribing Pirox capsules. He will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Based on the response to initial treatment with Piroxicam, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient’s needs. The suggested dose is 20 mg once daily, orally once daily, to relieve rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. There is a progressive increase in response over several weeks, and the treatment effect should not be assessed for two weeks.

Pirox should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to Piroxicam or any medicine components. It is not for patients with a history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reaction after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Some cases of severe anaphylactic reaction to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients. It is contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.  

Other conditions when Piroxicam should not be used: 

   — In pregnancy (after 28 weeks of pregnancy)

   — Ulcer

   — Severe, uncontrolled heart failure

   — Inflammatory bowel disease

   — Liver disease

   — Kidney disorders

   — High potassium in the bloodstream

   — Bleeding in the brain or other bleeding disorders

   — Bleeding from the stomach or gut

   — Allergy to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs

In patients taking Pirox 20 mg or other NSAIDs, the most frequently reported side effects are:

   — Nervous system - Headache, dizziness

   — Cardiovascular system - Edema

   — Skin and appendages - rash, pruritus

   — Hemic and lymphatic system - anaemia, increased bleeding time

   — Digestive system - diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, anorexia, heartburn, ulcers, gross bleeding, elevated liver enzymes, flatulence, dyspepsia

   — Urogenital system - abnormal renal function

   — Special senses - Tinnitus

Additionally, side effects reported occasionally include:

   — Cardiovascular system - hypertension, syncope, congestive heart failure, syncope

   — Metabolic and nutritional - weight changes

   — Digestive system - esophagitis, hematemesis, dry mouth, hepatitis, stomatitis, rectal bleeding,  glossitis, melena, gastritis

   — Nervous system - depression, confusion, anxiety, asthenia, drowsiness, malaise, paresthesia, vertigo, somnolence, vertigo, tremors, 

   — Respiratory system - asthma, dyspnea

   — Special sense - blurred vision

   — Hemic and lymphatic system - leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, purpura, petechial, ecchymosis, epistaxis.

   — Urogenital system - hematuria, interstitial nephritis, dysuria, cystitis, renal failure, proteinuria, polyuria, nephrotic syndrome.  

If you get any side effects that persist or trouble you in any way, please inform your doctor.