Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with piroxicam (Hotemin-Egis).

Thirty patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were treated with daily 20 mgs of piroxicam (Hotemin). The patients were in a mildly active stage of the disease, taking maintenance doses of corticosteroids. The duration of piroxicam therapy was 3 months. Allergy was observed in one case, intolerance (gastrointestinal symptoms, nausea, vomiting) in two; these resulted in the cessation of therapy. Twenty seven patients were on piroxicam therapy for 3 months. Signs of clinical activity diminished, corticosteroid requirement decreased, subjective complaints were reduced. The drug was tolerated. In 3 cases, due to mild water retention, diuretics were given. Gastrointestinal symptoms, transaminase elevation, changes in blood cell counts were not observed during the 3 months period.