Piroxicam--a literature review of new results from laboratory and clinical studies.

Piroxicam is a chemically unique, long-acting, potent antiinflammatory/analgesic agent now available for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases in over 80 countries around the world. The literature of the last 2 years on preclinical and clinical results with piroxicam has been reviewed. Recent laboratory experiments have given insights into additional actions of piroxicam which may play a role in its broad spectrum of antiinflammatory activity. In various animal models, piroxicam inhibits cell migration into an inflamed site. In vitro, piroxicam inhibits both superoxide anion production and lysosomal enzyme release from human neutrophils and also inhibits IgM-rheumatoid factor production by human lymphocytes. The safety and excellent toleration of piroxicam in animals has been reconfirmed. Extensive clinical trials in over 66,000 patients have demonstrated the high efficacy and excellent toleration of piroxicam in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, various musculoskeletal disorders and pain of varied etiology. Patient preference and compliance has consistently been higher for patients on piroxicam therapy. A single 20 mg, daily oral dose produces 24 hour control of symptoms. Piroxicam has been shown to be a useful addition to the physicians armamentarium.