Feldene and Feldene-D (Piroxicam)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Feldene and Feldene-D Used For?
Feldene contains piroxicam, which belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These medicines help reduce pain and inflammation in your body.
Primary Uses
Feldene is used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (a chronic inflammatory condition that mainly affects the spine but can affect other areas too).
How It Works
Feldene works by relieving pain and reducing inflammation (heat, throbbing, swelling, and redness) in affected joints and tissues.
Good to know: While Feldene can effectively relieve your pain and inflammation symptoms, it will not cure your underlying condition.
How to Take Feldene and Feldene-D
Take Feldene exactly as your doctor has prescribed. It’s important to follow the dosage instructions carefully for the best results.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is between 10 mg and 20 mg taken once daily. Take it at the same time each day, either morning or evening. It’s best to take Feldene immediately after food to avoid stomach upset. For capsules, swallow them whole with water. For dispersible tablets (Feldene-D), dissolve the tablet in a glass of water and drink it right away.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 2-3 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this can increase your risk of side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Stomach pain and wind
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Headache
- Sore mouth or tongue
- Buzzing or ringing in ears
- Hair loss or thinning
- Loose nails
- Mood changes like depression
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe stomach pain or tenderness
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, purple blotches under skin
- Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Severe sunburn symptoms (redness, itching, swelling, blistering)
- Vision problems like blurred vision
- Severe dizziness or spinning sensation
- High blood pressure
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Hearing problems or deafness
- Signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers)
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, shortness of breath, pale appearance)
- Unusual weight gain, ankle or leg swelling
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- Rectal bleeding, black stools, or bloody diarrhea
- Face, lip, or tongue swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
- Asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath
- Severe itching, skin rash, or hives
- Fainting
- Chest pain or tightness
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where Feldene should not be used, and conditions that require careful monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Feldene and Feldene-D
Do not take Feldene if you: are allergic to piroxicam, aspirin, or other NSAIDs; are taking aspirin or other NSAIDs; have had severe allergic reactions to medicines; have stomach or duodenal ulcers or a history of them; have inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis; have severe kidney, heart, or liver disease; are having or recently had coronary artery bypass surgery; are in your third trimester of pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not give to children 12 years and under.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: heartburn, stomach problems, or previous ulcers; bowel or intestinal problems; asthma; kidney, liver, or heart disease; high blood pressure; ankle or foot swelling; bleeding tendencies; current infections; allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Feldene during the third trimester of pregnancy or while breastfeeding. During the first two trimesters, use only if benefits outweigh risks. NSAIDs may affect fertility and increase risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy. The medicine passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.
Heart Risk Warning: Using Feldene may increase your risk of developing heart conditions like heart attack, even if you don’t have a history of heart disease.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Feldene and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medicines you’re taking.
- Aspirin (including low doses for heart conditions) and other NSAIDs
- Blood thinners like warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, or Pradaxa
- Heart failure medicines like digoxin or digitoxin
- Diabetes medications
- Certain antibiotics called sulphonamides
- Epilepsy medicine phenytoin
- Depression medicines like lithium or SSRIs
- Immune system medicines like corticosteroids
- Arthritis and cancer medicine methotrexate
- Diuretics (water tablets)
- Blood pressure medications
- Cholesterol medicine colestyramine
- Alcohol
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Feldene, as it can affect your alertness and increase certain risks.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Feldene. Like other NSAIDs, alcohol may increase your risk of developing stomach problems and may interfere with how well the medicine works.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Feldene affects you. The medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision in some people. If this happens, don’t drive or do activities that could be dangerous if you’re not fully alert.
Storage
Keep your capsules or tablets in their original packaging until you’re ready to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t use after the expiry date and keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you take too much Feldene, you may feel sick, have stomach pain, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. This requires urgent medical attention. Immediately call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you don’t feel unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but since Feldene is used to treat arthritis symptoms, you should follow your doctor’s instructions and continue taking it regularly as prescribed. You may need to take it for a long time, with regular check-ups to monitor your condition.
Yes, it’s actually recommended to take Feldene immediately after food to avoid the chance of an upset stomach.
The source advises to keep taking Feldene every day until your doctor tells you to stop. Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before deciding to stop taking any of your medicines.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Feldene. Alcohol may interfere with how well Feldene works and may increase your risk of developing stomach problems.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor and have regular check-ups.
If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 2-3 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re supposed to. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Yes, Feldene may hide some signs of infection like pain, fever, redness, and swelling. If you get an infection while taking Feldene, tell your doctor, as you might mistakenly think you’re better or that the infection isn’t serious.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.