Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of metabolites of piroxicam.

Four possible pyridine monohydroxylated metabolites of the antiinflammatory agent piroxicam have been synthesized for comparison with a natural pyridine-hydroxylated metabolite of this compound. In addition, another metabolite of piroxicam, derived from dehydration of the parent drug, has been made and characterized. The antiinflammatory activity of these compounds and four other known metabolites of piroxicam has been measured in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model and all are found to be less active than piroxicam itself.