Feldene

Feldene is a brand name for the medication piroxicam. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Feldene works by reducing the hormones, called prostaglandins, that cause pain and inflammation in the body. These hormones are responsible for the pain of arthritis and osteoarthritis, which are among the disorders treated with Feldene, and is suitable for both chronic pain and flare-ups.

Some people should not take Feldene, or should take adjusted doses. If you are allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs, you should not take Feldene. If you have an ulcer or a bleeding stomach, liver disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, heart disease, or fluid retention, you should make sure your doctor knows and can adjust your dosage. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a week, you may not react well to Feldene.

If you are taking Feldene, you should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, since Feldene can increase your skin’s sensitivity. You should also use sunscreen and wear protective clothing to protect your skin. You should avoid alcohol or use it moderately, because Feldene can interact with alcohol and increase the risk of dangerous bleeding in the stomach.

Other side effects of Feldene can include dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, depression, fatigue, weakness, dry mouth, anemia, gas, malaise, loss of appetite, sleepiness, vomiting, or irregular menstrual periods. Other side effects which are more rare but more serious can include muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, open sores in the mouth, rapid weight gain, seizures, loss of hearing or ringing in the ears, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal cramping, heartburn, black tarry stools, pain or burning in the stomach, or indigestion. You may also have an allergic reaction, which would appear as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, lips, face or tongue, or hives. If you experience any of these more serious reactions, you should call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help.

You should not take Feldene if you are taking aspirin or another form of aspirin such as Discalcid, Dolobid, Trilisate, or Doan’s. Tell your doctor if you are taking another NSAID, such as Cataflam, Lodine, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, Clinoril, or Tolectin. You should also exercise caution in taking over-the-counter medicines for colds, allergies, or pain or fever, because many of those contain aspirin or ibuprofen. You should also avoid blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), steroids such as prednisone, insulin or diabetes medicines, probenecid, lithium, and bismuth drugs such as Pepto-Bismol.

It is not known whether Feldene is harmful to unborn babies. It should not be taken late in pregnancy, particularly the third trimester, because it can have an adverse affect on the baby’s heart. You should always talk to your doctor before taking Feldene if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is also not known whether Feldene passes into breast milk, so if you are breastfeeding, you should not take Feldene unless you discuss it with your doctor.