Piroxicam, a novel anti-inflammatory agent.

Piroxicam (CP-16 171) is a potent acidic anti-inflammatory agent structurally distinct from the current agents such as indometacin, phenylbutazone or naproxen. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate a longer plasma half-ife for piroxicam than for these agents. Potency in the range of indometacin is observed when piroxicam is tested in the carrageenan rat paw edema model. This activity is not dependent on an intact adrenocorticoid system. The high potency, long half-life and absence of cardiovascular or cental nervous system effects have encouraged clinical trial of piroxicam.