Epharox

Piroxicam Beta Cyclodextrin is a smart twist on the classic NSAID, popular in Pakistani pharmacies from Lahore’s medical stores to clinics in Rawalpindi, designed to ease chronic pain and swelling with better stomach tolerance. The beta cyclodextrin wraps around piroxicam to boost absorption and cut gut irritation. This profile lays out the essentials—how it works, its uses, side effects, and doctor takes—based on local standards like those from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). It’s practical info to understand, not a reason to start without a doctor’s okay.

Basic Product Details

• Form and Strength: 20 mg tablets (piroxicam with beta cyclodextrin complex), taken orally.
• Packaging: Strips of 10 or 20 tablets, sealed for Pakistan’s humid climate.
• Pricing: Roughly PKR 10-20 per tablet; a 10-tablet strip costs about PKR 100-200, depending on the pharmacy or brand.
• Brands in Pakistan: Brexin, Feldene, or PMDC-approved generics.

Ingredients

• Active Ingredient: Piroxicam (20 mg, NSAID) complexed with beta cyclodextrin for enhanced solubility.
• Excipients: May include cellulose, magnesium stearate, or lactose (check packaging for specifics).

Drug Class

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) with Cyclodextrin Complex.

How It Functions

Piroxicam blocks cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes to slash prostaglandin production, which drives inflammation, pain, and fever. Beta cyclodextrin improves piroxicam’s solubility and gut absorption while reducing direct stomach contact, potentially lowering ulcer risks. This makes it gentler for long-term use. In Pakistan’s clinics, it’s valued for steady relief in arthritis patients who struggle with traditional NSAIDs’ gut side effects.

Common Applications

From local medical practices, it’s linked to:

• Relieving pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Managing musculoskeletal pain (back pain, joint stiffness).
• Easing acute pain from sprains, strains, or soft tissue injuries.
• Treating chronic inflammatory conditions like gout or tendonitis.
• Providing consistent anti-inflammatory effects with reduced GI irritation.

Dosage Form

Tablet (20 mg), swallowed whole with water.

Potential Side Effects

Most tolerate it better than plain piroxicam, but watch for:

• Nausea, stomach pain, or diarrhea.
• Dizziness, headache, or drowsiness.
• Rash, edema, or vomiting.
• Rare ulceration or severe reactions.

Seek immediate help for bleeding, severe rash, or breathing issues.

Key Warnings and Precautions

PMDC-aligned guidelines note:

• Gut Health: Still carries bleeding/ulcer risk; use cautiously with stomach history.
• Heart Risks: May raise heart attack/stroke chances with long-term use; monitor.
• Kidney/Liver: Regular function tests needed, especially in elderly or impaired.
• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid or consult—may harm fetus or infant.
• Allergies: Skip if sensitive to NSAIDs, aspirin, or asthma triggers.
• Alcohol: Avoid; worsens stomach irritation.
• Driving: Caution if dizzy or sleepy.

When It’s Not Suitable (Contraindications)

Avoid if you have:

• Allergy to piroxicam, beta cyclodextrin, NSAIDs, or aspirin.
• Active or history of stomach ulcers/bleeding.
• Severe liver/kidney disease.
• Heart disease or recent heart surgery.
• Pregnancy (especially third trimester) or breastfeeding.
• Bleeding disorders or use with blood thinners.
• Asthma history triggered by NSAIDs.

Drug Interactions

May interact with:

• Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), raising bleeding risk.
• Other NSAIDs/aspirin, amplifying gut/kidney issues.
• Diuretics or antihypertensives, reducing effectiveness.
• Corticosteroids, increasing ulcer chances.
• SSRIs or lithium, heightening bleeding or toxicity.
• ACE inhibitors/aminoglycosides, risking kidney damage.

Food Interactions

• Take with food to minimize stomach upset.
• Avoid alcohol; boosts bleeding risk.
• Limit caffeine or fatty foods that may delay absorption or irritate gut.
• Space from high-fat meals for steady effects.

In Case of Overdose

Symptoms like severe nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, or breathing trouble need urgent ER care. Treatment may reduce absorption and manage symptoms; no specific antidote.

Missed Dose

Take as soon as remembered, unless near next dose. Skip then, don’t double up. Consult doctor for multiple misses.

Storage and Disposal

Store tablets at room temperature (15-30°C) in a cool, dry place (e.g., cabinet, not bathroom), away from light, moisture, kids. Dispose of expired via pharmacy drop-off, not flushing.

Quick Tips

• Take once daily with food to ease stomach.
• Stick to same time for steady relief.
• Avoid alcohol and NSAIDs combos.
• Monitor for gut pain or unusual bleeding.

Doctor Review

Rheumatologists in Pakistan, from Karachi’s Aga Khan to Faisalabad clinics, see piroxicam beta cyclodextrin as a stomach-friendlier NSAID for arthritis pain, with cyclodextrin boosting absorption while cutting irritation, but they stress short courses and gut/kidney checks for safety.

Laboratory Screening

To monitor effects and risks:

• Liver Function Tests: For toxicity, especially long-term.
• Kidney Function: Creatinine/eGFR to catch damage early.
• CBC: Check for anemia or bleeding signs.
• Endoscopy/Fecal Occult Blood: For GI ulcer risks.
• Blood Pressure: NSAIDs can elevate it.

Disclaimer: This is product information only, not a prescription or diagnosis. Seek immediate care for severe symptoms like stomach bleeding, rash, or breathing issues.