Xefo Rapid

Quick links to important sections

Xefo Rapid

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

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 Xefo Rapid

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Lornoxicam
Form Film-coated tablets
Pharmacological class Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) / Oxicam
General purpose Relief of pain, inflammation, and fever
Origin Synthetic compound
Prescription Status Prescription-only (Rx)

Xefo Rapid is a distinct, prescription-only pharmaceutical preparation (Rx) containing the synthetic active ingredient Lornoxicam. The medication is classified as a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) and is specifically categorized within the Oxicam class. As a single active ingredient product, its core function provides the combined therapeutic effects of being an analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic (fever-reducing).

Core Identity: Lornoxicam's Classification and Origin

The active ingredient Lornoxicam is derived synthetically and is structurally characterized as an NSAID, specifically an Oxicam derivative. Lornoxicam is recognized for its potency within its class, distinguishing it as a significant agent for managing acute discomfort. Lornoxicam is utilized for addressing acute musculoskeletal distress, which highlights the drug's application for rapidly controlling sudden physical distress. The composition is entirely dependent on this primary active agent, distinguishing it from combination products.

Xefo Rapid's Form and General Therapeutic Purpose

The specific presentation known as Xefo Rapid refers to the unique form of film-coated tablets designed for oral administration. The inclusion of the term Rapid differentiates this formulation, underscoring the engineering to achieve fast dissolution and accelerated absorption. This characteristic is directly linked to the medication's therapeutic efficiency, ensuring a rapid onset of action to manage acute symptoms. By quickly delivering its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, the drug fulfills its general purpose of providing effective, swift symptomatic relief from physical discomfort and inflammation.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH Clinical Trials Lornoxicam

What side effects are possible with Xefo Rapid?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Xefo Rapid (lornoxicam) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) whose safety profile includes risks common to its therapeutic class, primarily affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) and cardiovascular systems.

Common Adverse Reactions (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) typically involve mild and transient effects suchs as headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, indigestion (dyspepsia), diarrhoea, and vomiting. Uncommon and rare reactions cover a broader spectrum of system-organ classes, including nervous system, skin, and hepatic disorders.

Serious and Clinically Significant Risks

  • Gastrointestinal Hazards: Treatment with Xefo Rapid carries a risk of developing serious GI events, including peptic ulcers, bleeding, and perforation, which can be fatal, particularly in the elderly. These events can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms.
  • Cardiovascular/Thrombotic Events: Like other NSAIDs, the use of lornoxicam may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. This risk may be higher with high doses and prolonged treatment duration.
  • Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions: Very rarely, serious skin and hypersensitivity reactions, some potentially fatal, have been reported, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). The drug should be discontinued immediately at the first sign of a rash or mucosal lesions.

Regulatory Restrictions and Safety Cautions

Use of Xefo Rapid is contraindicated in patients with severe heart failure, active or recurrent peptic ulceration/GI bleeding, severe hepatic or renal impairment, bleeding disorders, and during the third trimester of pregnancy. Caution is required in patients with a history of GI disease, cardiovascular risk factors, and in the elderly, who should start treatment at the lowest possible dose. Lornoxicam reduces platelet aggregation and can prolong bleeding time. The use of NSAIDs from around 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy is associated with a risk of fetal renal dysfunction.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

This information reflects the official statements found in government regulatory documents regarding a suspected overdose of Xefo Rapid (lornoxicam).


Documented Overdose Manifestations

Symptoms and clinical signs reported in connection with a lornoxicam overdose typically involve the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Documented presentations include nausea and vomiting, dizziness, disturbances in vision, and ataxia (impaired coordination).

More serious manifestations may include CNS symptoms such as cramps and potential progression to coma. Organ damage has been officially documented, including liver damage, kidney damage, and the potential for cardiac or acute renal failure.


Required Immediate Action

In the event of a suspected or confirmed overdose, the regulatory instruction is to withdraw the medicinal product. The patient is required to contact their doctor or the pharmacist immediately if more Xefo Rapid than prescribed has been taken.

Management Context

No specific antidote is known or mentioned in regulatory labeling for lornoxicam overdose. Due to the drug's properties, it is not dialysable. Treatment is strictly symptomatic and supportive, addressing the patient's clinical state and documented manifestations.

Therapeutic Uses of Xefo Rapid

What Xefo Rapid Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Xefo Rapid (Lornoxicam) is applied across key therapeutic domains where both pain and inflammation are prominent, providing short-term symptomatic assistance to manage heightened distress. The medication is indicated for the short-term relief of acute mild to moderate pain and the symptomatic relief of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The medication is commonly used during episodes of sudden, acute pain where short-term symptomatic assistance is appropriate. This is relevant in clinical settings for managing postoperative discomfort, pain from acute trauma like sprains, and the acute phase of spinal pain syndromes, including sciatica. It is also applied across conditions characterized by episodic or fluctuating symptom patterns associated with chronic joint disorders, such as Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

“When symptoms become momentarily overwhelming, Xefo Rapid is generally applied to help patients cope more steadily with physical discomfort and associated inflammation.”

This supportive symptomatic approach helps address groups of symptoms that cluster into patterns of pain, swelling, and stiffness. It may contribute to easing the overall symptom load during symptomatic periods, and may assist with maintaining functional stability when symptoms interfere with routine activities.


Quick Fact: Focus on Pain and Inflammation

Category Typical Contexts of Use Primary Symptom Relief
Therapeutic Domain Acute post-procedural recovery; chronic joint flare-ups Pain, Swelling, and Stiffness
Use Classification Short-term symptomatic assistance Supports easing the overall symptom burden

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The eligibility to use Xefo Rapid (Lornoxicam) is strictly determined by regulatory rules that specify contraindications and conditional use requirements. The medicine is restricted to adults (18 years and above). Use is contraindicated in children and adolescents under 18 due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy.

Official Contraindicated Populations

Use is absolutely prohibited for patients with:

  • Known hypersensitivity to Lornoxicam or any other NSAID (e.g., aspirin).
  • Severe hepatic, renal, or heart failure.
  • Active or recurrent peptic ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding, or other bleeding disorders (e.g., thrombocytopenia).
  • Third trimester of pregnancy or during breastfeeding.

Conditional Use and Restrictions

Caution is required, and function monitoring is recommended, for elderly patients and those with mild to moderate renal or hepatic impairment, or a history of hypertension/heart failure. Furthermore, Xefo Rapid is not recommended during the first six months of pregnancy or for women attempting to conceive. These official constraints ensure the medicine is only used by the patient population for whom its safety profile is formally established or managed under specific conditions.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Xefo Rapid (lornoxicam) is contraindicated with other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ibuprofen, and COX-2 inhibitors, due to a significantly increased risk of adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration.

Interacting Product Category Potential Mechanism and Clinical Effect
Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin, Heparin) May enhance the anticoagulant effect and prolong bleeding time, requiring close monitoring (e.g., INR).
Anti-platelet Agents, SSRIs Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Corticosteroids Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding.
Diuretics, ACE-inhibitors, ARBs May reduce the antihypertensive/diuretic effect and increase the risk of acute renal insufficiency, especially in at-risk patients.
Methotrexate (high dose) Increased serum concentration and toxicity of methotrexate. Concomitant use should be avoided.
Lithium Increased serum peak concentration of lithium, potentially leading to adverse events; monitoring is required.
Immunosuppressants (e.g., Ciclosporin, Tacrolimus) Increased risk of nephrotoxicity; renal function should be closely monitored.
Digoxin May cause decreased renal clearance of digoxin.
CYP2C9 Inhibitors/Inducers Plasma concentration of lornoxicam may be altered; Cimetidine, a CYP2C9 inhibitor, increases lornoxicam plasma concentration.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of action of Xefo Rapid (Lornoxicam) centers on its role as a non-selective inhibitor that alters key chemical signaling pathways to modulate localized physiological responses. Its primary pharmacodynamic function involves blocking the activity of both Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes in peripheral tissues. This enzyme inhibition prevents the metabolism of arachidonic acid, thereby initiating a biochemical cascade that results in the significantly reduced synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Since these lipid mediators are essential for triggering and maintaining heightened tissue excitability, reducing their overall quantity contributes to the alteration of overactive chemical signaling dynamics. The resulting physiological effect is a modification of local responses, specifically observed as reduced tissue excitability and alterations in localized vascular permeability that lead to modified extravasation dynamics. This targeted modification of the eicosanoid cascade defines the drug's physiological effect profile.

Dosage and Administration Information

Xefo Rapid (Lornoxicam) is administered via two primary routes: orally, using the film-coated tablets, or parenterally, through intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection. The standard oral dose for acute pain is 8 mg, which may be taken up to a total maximum of 16 mg over 24 hours. For symptomatic relief of arthritis, the usual daily maintenance dose is 12 mg, typically divided into two or three administrations per day. All oral tablets must be taken before meals with a sufficient quantity of liquid, as consuming them with food can reduce the medicine's absorption and effectiveness.

Lornoxicam is designated for short-term treatment. The parenteral route is primarily reserved for therapy initiation, with a recommended single dose of 8 mg. The injection powder must be reconstituted immediately prior to use and is for single use only. IV administration should occur over at least 15 seconds, and IM administration over at least 5 seconds.

Dosage adjustments are required for certain adult populations; for instance, those with mild to moderate renal or hepatic impairment have a reduced maximum daily limit of 12 mg. The medication is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

This section outlines how studies have examined whether the compound (lornoxicam quick-release formulation) is associated with changes in inflammation and patient-reported pain. Research has investigated whether patient outcomes might be affected by the compound's use. This information is not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.


Key Findings from Clinical Trials

The compound has been studied as an anti-inflammatory agent. Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated its association with joint swelling and stiffness across different patient populations, including those with acute low back pain and postoperative pain.

  • Pain Metrics: Studies collected data on patient-reported pain using validated scales. One Phase III trial, involving 450 participants, explored changes in pain over time compared to a placebo group.
  • Inflammation Markers: Several studies monitored inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein). Research explored whether the compound was associated with lower levels of these markers following administration.
  • Tolerability: Data regarding tolerability were collected across various patient groups to track observed events.

Pharmacokinetic Studies

Research examined whether the compound’s absorption and distribution in the body (pharmacokinetics) are affected by co-administration with other substances.

  • Bioavailability: A Phase I study focused on the rate and extent to which the compound is absorbed. The findings provided data regarding the compound's use when taken with a standard meal versus on an empty stomach.
  • Drug Combinations: Research examined whether the combination was related to changes in absorption and bioavailability when the compound was administered with a specific excipient. One study explored the effect of co-administration with high-dose Vitamin C. The results from this specific study were mixed.

Patient Sub-Groups and Efficacy

Studies have explored the compound's use in sub-groups of patients.

  • Refractory Patients: Researchers conducted a small-scale cohort study where patients who were non-responsive to other treatments were included to examine potential response. The study provided data regarding the compound's use in this population.
  • Dose Response: A dose-ranging study showed different outcomes compared to placebo at high and low doses, helping to inform future research protocols.

Further studies are needed to confirm the long-term observed effect and better understand the full scope of its activity.

Key Studies & References

  1. Guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain (Relevant Clinical Guidelines - e.g., NICE or EULAR)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Xefo Rapid (FAQ)


Q: How long does it typically take for Xefo Rapid to start relieving pain? (Onset of action)

Studies examining the quick-release formulation of Lornoxicam, sold as Xefo Rapid, indicate that the pain-relieving effects usually begin within 30 to 60 minutes of administration. This rapid onset of action is linked to the formulation’s design for accelerated absorption.


Q: Can Xefo Rapid be used to treat migraines or tension headaches?

The official therapeutic indication for Xefo Rapid is the short-term treatment of acute mild to moderate pain. Clinical trials have studied Lornoxicam for the acute treatment of migraine headache, but the current official product label focuses on the general relief of acute pain.


Q: Is it normal to feel ringing in the ears (tinnitus) while taking Xefo Rapid?

Ringing or buzzing in the ears, a condition known as tinnitus, has been listed as a possible side effect of Lornoxicam in some official drug information sources. Any new or unusual symptom, including tinnitus, observed while taking this medicine is typically communicated to a healthcare provider.


Q: Does Xefo Rapid affect sleep patterns (insomnia or sleepiness)?

Official product information states that Lornoxicam may affect sleep patterns. Reported side effects include insomnia (the inability to sleep) as an uncommon effect, and feeling unusually sleepy (somnolence) as a rare effect.


Q: Can Xefo Rapid be taken with paracetamol (acetaminophen)?

Xefo Rapid is a single-ingredient NSAID. While the official Lornoxicam label may not specifically detail its interaction with paracetamol (acetaminophen), the active ingredient has been formulated and studied in combination with paracetamol in some international markets. Reviewing all medications with a healthcare professional prior to use is generally recommended.


Q: How does Xefo Rapid affect people with a history of asthma or respiratory issues?

Xefo Rapid is contraindicated for patients who have experienced hypersensitivity reactions, such as asthma or rhinitis, after previously taking other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Caution is advised for patients with a history of respiratory diseases like asthma due to the reported risk of worsening the condition.


Q: Is the active ingredient, lornoxicam, available under other brand names?

Yes, the active ingredient Lornoxicam is known to be available internationally under various other brand names. These include trademarks such as Xefo, Xafon, Lorcam, and Acabel, among others.


Q: What is the official information regarding alcohol consumption with Xefo Rapid?

Regulatory warnings indicate that alcohol consumption is generally advised against during treatment with Xefo Rapid. The combination may increase the reported risk of severe adverse effects associated with the drug, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding, dizziness, and drowsiness.


Q: What should a patient do if they notice dark sticky faeces (melaena) while taking Xefo Rapid?

Dark, sticky faeces (melaena) can be a sign of internal bleeding, which is a serious risk associated with this class of medicine. Official patient information reports that if this is observed, the medicine should be stopped and a healthcare professional contacted immediately.

How should Xefo Rapid be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal: Official Regulatory Information

The official storage conditions for Xefo Rapid tablets mandate both thermal and environmental control to maintain the stability of the active ingredient, lornoxicam.

Scope Item Official Regulatory Statement
Storage Temperature Store at or below 25 C (77 F).
Protection Keep in the original package to protect from light and moisture.
Prohibited Environment Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Child Safety Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Disposal Method Do not dispose of in drains or wastewater.

Unused or expired Xefo Rapid must be returned to a pharmacist or an authorized collection point for proper disposal as pharmaceutical waste. Discarding the medicine in household waste or flushing it is prohibited by regulation.

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

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Xefo Rapid found in:

A-Z Index: