Artroxicam

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Artroxicam

Property Description
Active ingredient Piroxicam
Form Solution for intramuscular injection / Lyophilized powder
Pharmacological class Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), Oxicam derivative
General purpose Symptomatic relief of pain, inflammation, and fever
Origin Synthetic compound

What Type of Medicine is Artroxicam? (NSAID Classification and Composition)

Artroxicam is a prescription medication whose sole active component is Piroxicam, a synthetic compound formally classified as a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Piroxicam belongs to the oxicam derivative subfamily, which distinguishes its chemical structure and relatively long half-life from many other common NSAIDs. This classification determines its primary action as an inhibitor of the biological processes responsible for generating pain and inflammation. Piroxicam provides anti-inflammatory action in chronic inflammatory conditions. This NSAID class is indicated for managing inflammatory processes.


Artroxicam's Pharmaceutical Form and Delivery

Artroxicam is primarily supplied as a sterile solution for intramuscular injection or as a lyophilized powder intended for reconstitution into an injectable solution. This specific parenteral presentation dictates that the drug is delivered directly into the muscle tissue, bypassing the digestive system. This form is utilized to ensure rapid and reliable systemic exposure of Piroxicam, which is necessary when a quick onset of action is required to address severe, acute symptoms. NSAIDs like Piroxicam are utilized to manage inflammation and pain across various health issues. The use of an injection format is a delivery method utilized when rapid therapeutic levels are needed, for example, during the initial acute flare-up of a musculoskeletal condition.


General Purpose: Pain, Inflammation, and Fever Reduction

The fundamental purpose of Artroxicam is to provide comprehensive symptomatic relief through its triple action: anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and antipyretic (fever-reducing). This activity is achieved because Piroxicam acts as a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme inhibitor, blocking the production of prostaglandins, the primary chemical mediators of pain and inflammation. By targeting this mechanism at a fundamental level, Artroxicam effectively mitigates the intensity of pain and reduces the objective physical signs of inflammation. This makes the drug typically relevant in scenarios where rapid relief from acute, severe musculoskeletal pain is required, providing immediate symptomatic control.

What side effects are possible with Artroxicam?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for Artroxicam (a medication in the NSAID class) is defined by officially documented risks, categorized across frequency and body systems, as stated in government regulatory documents.

Serious Safety Risks

Regulatory documents highlight the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with the duration of use and higher doses. Artroxicam is contraindicated for treating pain following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

There is also a risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation (a hole) of the stomach or intestines, which may be fatal and can occur without warning symptoms at any time during therapy. The risk of these events increases with duration of treatment.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions documented in official sources are classified by frequency:

  • Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, headache, dizziness, vertigo, rash, edema (fluid retention), and elevated liver enzymes.
  • Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, blurred vision, hypoglycemia.

Clinically Significant and Rare Reactions

Rare but severe adverse reactions include potentially fatal severe skin reactions (such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis), severe hepatotoxicity (liver injury, including fatal hepatitis), and acute renal failure (kidney failure). Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported.

Population and Use Restrictions

Caution is advised for use in the elderly due to increased susceptibility to GI bleeding and other adverse effects. Artroxicam should not be used by pregnant women at 20 weeks gestation or later because of the risk of fetal kidney problems that can lead to low amniotic fluid and potential complications.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official overdose profile for Artroxicam (Piroxicam) documents specific manifestations and mandates immediate emergency action due to the potential for severe outcomes.

Overdose Scope Official Regulatory Statements
Documented overdose presentations Over-exposure may include gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, heartburn) and neurological effects (headache, agitation, confusion, unsteadiness). Systemic signs like low blood pressure (shock) are also noted.
Physiological systems affected The gastrointestinal, central nervous, and renal systems are primarily affected. Life-threatening outcomes, such as fatal gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, are specified. Acute renal failure, seizures, and coma are severe potential complications.
Population-specific overdose notes Regulatory documents note that patients with pre-existing kidney or liver disease are at a higher risk for serious toxicity.
When immediate medical help is required Individuals with suspected overdose must seek immediate medical attention. Official guidance mandates contacting emergency services or a poison control center without delay.

Overdose Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Official Regulatory Statement
Severity classification The potential for severe, life-threatening events, including shock and coma, is documented in official prescribing information.
Overdose-context constraints Management is limited to symptomatic and supportive care measures, such as the administration of activated charcoal, as no specific antidote is known for Piroxicam overdose.

Official Overdose Statements:

  • Overdose manifestations include severe headache, agitation, confusion, and the potential for convulsions or decreased consciousness.
  • Life-threatening outcomes like acute renal failure and fatal gastrointestinal bleeding are listed in regulatory documents.
  • Management procedures are restricted to general supportive measures and monitoring of vital signs.

Connection to the overall overdose profile: Regulatory documents define the overdose profile by listing the specific clinical manifestations that may occur following over-exposure, ranging from gastrointestinal distress to severe neurological complications. Due to the potential for life-threatening outcomes, the guidance explicitly requires individuals to seek immediate medical attention by contacting emergency services. The documented management strategy is limited to supportive care and monitoring, as no specific antidote is officially recognized.

Therapeutic Uses of Artroxicam

What Artroxicam Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Artroxicam (Piroxicam) is generally considered relevant for the management of symptoms associated with chronic inflammatory conditions such as Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis. The medication is commonly utilized to address symptoms related to physical discomfort and joint stiffness. It may assist with providing supportive relief for persistent pain and joint stiffness, applicable within clinical settings that involve acute or disruptive symptom patterns.

The medication may be part of symptomatic management in settings marked by heightened patient distress from acute events, including sudden flare-ups of chronic conditions like Acute Gouty Arthritis, or injuries such as tendinitis and bursitis. Applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required, it is relevant for easing symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states.

Quick Fact: Supports relief from Inflammatory Joint Pain

The medication is commonly used to address conditions presenting with pain, inflammation, swelling, and stiffness. This application contributes to easing the overall symptom load and may assist with maintaining functional stability during symptomatic phases.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

This section summarizes the official eligibility and non-eligibility information for Artroxicam, based on regulatory labeling for the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class.

Contraindications (Must Not Use)

Artroxicam is contraindicated and must not be used by patients with a known history of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to Artroxicam, aspirin, or any other NSAIDs (including those with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease). It is also strictly prohibited for pain relief right before or after heart surgery, specifically a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) procedure.

Condition-Based Restrictions

Use is contraindicated or strongly avoided in patients with active gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or ulceration, severe heart failure, and advanced kidney disease (severe renal impairment). Caution is required for patients with a history of GI problems, hypertension, or liver disease.

Age and Physiological States

  • Pregnancy: Use is generally avoided from approximately 20 weeks gestation onward due to the risk of fetal kidney problems and prohibited after 30 weeks gestation due to the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.
  • Pediatric: Safety and efficacy have not been established for the adult formulation in the pediatric population.
  • Older Adults: While not contraindicated, use requires increased caution due to a documented higher risk of serious GI, renal, and cardiovascular adverse events.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Interaction scope

Classification Categories and Specific Medicines Mechanistic Basis & Notes
Contraindicated Other NSAIDs (including COX-2 selective NSAIDs) and high-dose Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid). Additive pharmacodynamic risk of gastrointestinal (GI) complications.
Exposure-Modifying Lithium and Methotrexate. Piroxicam causes reduced renal clearance of Lithium, increasing plasma levels. May enhance the toxic effect of Methotrexate.
Pharmacodynamic Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin), Anti-platelet agents, SSRIs, and SNRIs. Increase the documented risk of bleeding and hemorrhage through interference with hemostasis.
Antihypertensive ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, Diuretics (e.g., Furosemide, Thiazides). May diminish the antihypertensive and natriuretic effects due to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis.

Population-Specific Interaction Notes

  • Piroxicam is primarily metabolized by the CYP2C9 enzyme. Individuals identified as poor CYP2C9 metabolizers have reduced metabolic clearance, leading to abnormally high plasma levels.
  • Co-administration with ACE Inhibitors or ARBs in elderly or volume-depleted patients is noted to increase the risk of renal function deterioration.
  • Alcohol ingestion is an explicitly documented risk factor that increases the risk of serious GI complications in patients taking Piroxicam.

Interaction-Related Restrictions

The regulatory profile establishes restrictions against concurrent use of other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Use with Anticoagulants is also restricted due to the combined risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events. No mandatory administration timing separation requirements are specified in official labeling.

Mechanism of Action

How Artroxicam Works


Molecular Inhibition of Eicosanoid Pathways

This domain covers Artroxicam's primary action as a non-selective inhibitor of the Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes , blocking the conversion of arachidonic acid into inflammatory mediators. This molecular suppression is responsible for dampening overactive signaling within the inflammatory mediator system, which results in modulating localized signaling for increased vascular permeability and fluid accumulation.


Central and Peripheral Modulators

Artroxicam's mechanism involves both local and systemic effects, specifically targeting Prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) synthesis in peripheral tissues and within the hypothalamus. This central action prevents PGE2 from elevating the brain's thermoregulatory set-point, allowing for the physiological downward adjustment of the hypothalamic set-point and facilitating the process of heat dissipation.


️ Non-COX Cellular Stabilization

Beyond its main enzymatic blockade, the mechanism includes an auxiliary effect that influences immune cells. This action involves stabilizing lysosomal membranes, which inhibits the functional release of hydrolytic enzymes from lysosomes, and results in a sustained modulation of key pathway activity.

Dosage and Administration Information

Instruction Map: How to use Artroxicam — Administration Guidelines

Artroxicam (Piroxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administered primarily via the oral route (capsules). Guidelines generally recommend its use at the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient goals.


Administration Scope

Classification Rule
Route of Administration Oral (Capsules)
Adult Dosing 20 mg once daily. May be divided into 10 mg twice a day if desired.
Timing in Relation to Meals May be taken with food or 8-12 oz of water to help avoid potential gastrointestinal (GI) effects.
Preparation Requirements Capsules should be swallowed whole; they should not be crushed, broken, or chewed.

Procedural Instructions

  • Frequency: The medication is typically taken once daily or twice daily if the dose is divided, preferably at around the same time(s) every day.
  • Assessment: Due to its long half-life, steady-state blood levels are not reached for 7–12 days. Therefore, the full effect of therapy should not be assessed for two weeks.
  • Age-Specific Rules: Dosing recommendations and indications for use in children have not been fully established, and use in the geriatric population requires caution, often necessitating the lowest effective dose.
  • Missed Dose: If a dose is missed, take it as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped to avoid taking a double dose.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Artroxicam

The clinical evidence for Artroxicam (Piroxicam) is derived from official research sources and peer-reviewed studies. This overview describes the research that has explored the drug in various conditions, what the studies examined, and what aspects of the evidence remain uncertain. It focuses strictly on the evidence landscape and offers no clinical advice or personal recommendations.


Evidence for Use in Chronic Inflammatory Joint Conditions

The core research base for Artroxicam was studied for conditions characterized by chronic joint symptoms, including Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

Research utilizing extensive Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and subsequent Systematic Reviews primarily involved Adults. Studies examined outcomes related to physical discomfort, tracking changes in Pain intensity, objective measures of Articular Swelling, and specialized questionnaires to gauge Functional Mobility and patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort. Findings describe patterns measured in Joint Stiffness and physical function. The evidence contributes to understanding symptom patterns recorded in group settings.

Evidence for Use in Acute Musculoskeletal Issues

Research has also explored Short-term trials examining the drug in Acute Musculoskeletal Conditions, such as sudden flare-ups of Acute Gouty Arthritis, or symptoms related to Sprains, Tendinitis, and Acute Low Back Pain. These RCTs tracked measurements of outcomes related to physical discomfort, reduction of Acute Swelling, and the Time recorded for patients to resume routine activities.

Research on Postoperative Pain Settings

A number of Small-scale Randomized Controlled Trials have been conducted, exploring the drug in specific, limited Postoperative Pain scenarios. These studies included Adults and adolescents within focused surgical fields and monitored the Pain Intensity observed and the Total consumption of supplementary pain medication. The observed data results apply only to the populations studied.


What Research Still Indicates as Uncertain or Understudied

An analysis of the research base highlights areas where the evidence remains insufficient:

  • Long-term effects are not fully established regarding the sustained symptomatic outcomes over periods exceeding several months or years.
  • Comparative evidence is lacking in modern head-to-head trials against the newest classes of medications.
  • Subgroup findings are uncertain or limited for certain populations, including those with defined complex medical conditions.

Findings describe group patterns, and research does not determine whether an individual will report similar outcomes to those observed in the clinical trials.

Key Studies & References

  1. Piroxicam Drug Information (NIH MedlinePlus)
  2. Piroxicam Capsule DailyMed - US National Library of Medicine (FDA Label)

How should Artroxicam be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Artroxicam?

Official regulatory guidelines require Artroxicam to be stored at controlled room temperature, defined as 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F), while protecting it from both freezing and excessive moisture or light. The medicine must be kept in its original container, which should be tightly closed when not in use.

Child Safety and Disposal

It is mandatory to store Artroxicam out of the sight and reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion. For disposal of unused or expired product, the preferred method is utilizing an official drug take-back program or mail-back option. If these are unavailable, the medicine should be mixed with an undesirable substance (such as dirt or coffee grounds), sealed in a bag, and discarded in the household trash, never flushed down a drain or toilet.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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