Is Arthrodac a NSAID?

Who should not take a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)/ Arthrodac?

Patients who had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAID medicine or for pain right before or after heart bypass surgery.

Can I use Arthrodac if I am pregnant?

No. Arthrodac should not be taken in pregnancy. It causes premature closure of the ductus arteriosus which can lead to fetal heart failure and death of the baby.

What is the difference between Arthrodac and nimesulide?

Both Arthrodac and nimesulide are pain killers. However, Arthrodac is a non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) inhibitor whereas nimesulide is selective to the COX-2 enzyme. This selectivity of nimesulide is supposed to decrease the side effects as compared to piroxicam. It should not be used in children below 12 years of age.

What are the contraindications for Arthrodac?

Contraindications to piroxicam are an allergy, bleeding tendency, duodenal/gastric/peptic ulcer, stomatitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, upper GI disease, late pregnancy, cardiac disease, hepatic impairment, renal impairment.

Why is beta cyclodextrin added to Arthrodac?

Yes. Arthrodac can be combined with beta-cyclodextrin. Research has shown that combining Arthrodac with beta-cyclodextrin leads to faster onset of action of piroxicam and reduced gastric side effects.

What are the serious side effects of Arthrodac?

GI discomfort and, rarely, serious GI side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, serious skin side effects such as exfoliative, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis, liver failure, renal damage.

Can Arthrodac be used in the treatment of allergy?

No. Arthrodac is not a drug to treat allergy. It is a pain killer.

What is the difference between Arthrodac and tramadol?

Arthrodac is a COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) whereas Tramadol is a narcotic-like painkiller. Tramadol is a habit forming medicine.

Is Arthrodac a narcotic?

No. Arthrodac is not a narcotic. It is a pain killer which acts on COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) enzyme to decrease the pain and inflammation.

Can Arthrodac lead to difficulty in conception?

Yes. Arthrodac can sometimes cause reversible infertility. Piroxicam by its mechanism of action may delay or prevent rupture of ovarian follicles, which has been associated with reversible infertility in some women. Consult your doctor before starting this medication.

Can Arthrodac be used along with dexamethasone?

No. Arthrodac should not be used with dexamethasone. They both increase each others toxicity. There is an increased risk of GI ulceration.

Can Arthrodac be used with calcium channel blocker?

Yes. Arthrodac can be taken with calcium channel blocker. NSAIDs have been observed to reduce the effectiveness of all antihypertensive drugs except calcium channel blockers (ref: White 2007)

Can Arthrodac be used with Tizanidine?

Yes, Arthrodac can be combined with tizanidine. Piroxicam is a pain killer and tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It is used in the condition like a backache.

Are Arthrodac and aspirin same?

No. Arthrodac and aspirin are not same. They belong to the same class of drugs known as COX (cyclooxygenase) inhibitors. They both are anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Can Arthrodac be used along with paracetamol?

Yes. Paracetamol can be used with Arthrodac as no serious side effects are known. Inform your doctor before starting any of the medication.

Is Arthrodac a blood thinner?

No. Arthrodac is not a blood thinner. It is a pain killer. It should be avoided in a patient with a bleeding disorder.

Can Arthrodac be used with methocarbamol?

Yes. Methocarbamol can be used with Arthrodac as no serious side effects are known. Inform your doctor before starting any of the medication.

Is Arthrodac a muscle relaxant?

No. Arthrodac is not a muscle relaxant. It is a pain killer which acts on COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) enzyme.

How long does Arthrodac work?

Arthrodac is a long acting drug. Once the daily dose is enough for the relief of pain but it depends from person to person as the effectiveness of piroxicam increases when given for few weeks.

Is Arthrodac affective in gout management?

Yes. Arthrodac can be given for the treatment of acute gout. Research studies have shown Arthrodac to be highly effective in the treatment of acute gout.

Is Arthrodac a sulfa drug?

Arthrodac is a sulphur containing compound. Arthrodac can cause serious adverse events in sensitive individuals. It can cause severe skin reactions like Steven Johnson Syndrome. Do inform your doctor if you have any kind of allergies.

Can I use Arthrodac if I have peptic ulcer disease?

No. Arthrodac is contraindicated in cases of active peptic ulcer disease. Arthrodac is known to cause gastric ulceration and bleeding.

Can Arthrodac be used to treat menstrual cramp?

Arthrodac is not approved for the treatment of menstrual cramps. Research studies have shown that piroxicam is quite effective in significantly decreasing the menstrual cramps.

Can you get high by using Arthrodac?

No. Arthrodac is not known to cause high. It is a non-narcotic painkiller.

Can Arthrodac be used with Lisinopril?

No. Arthrodac should be avoided with lisinopril. It is important to note that piroxicam decreases the effectiveness of the antihypertensive medication like lisinopril when given together leading to failure of antihypertensive therapy. Inform your doctor if you are taking antihypertensive medications before starting Arthrodac.

Are there any alternatives of Arthrodac?

Yes. There are alternatives to Arthrodac. Pain killers are prescribed according to the disease condition. Consult your doctor before starting piroxicam or changing it to other medication.

Can I use Arthrodac if I am a diabetic?

Arthrodac in a diabetic patient can only be taken only by consulting a doctor because these medicines have the propensity to cause renal failure when taken for a long period. Diabetes itself causes renal Arthrodac so taking piroxicam can lead to increased risk of renal failure by many folds.

Can I use Arthrodac if I have asthma?

Some patients with asthma are hypersensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs like aspirin which can lead to acute attacks of asthma. Consult your doctor before starting this medication.

What is the difference between Arthrodac and diclofenac?

Both Arthrodac and diclofenac are pain killers. However, piroxicam is a non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase - an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) inhibitor whereas diclofenac has a bit more selectivity to a COX-2 enzyme. This selectivity of diclofenac is supposed to decrease the side effects as compared to Arthrodac.

What is the difference between Arthrodac and naproxen?

Both Arthrodac and naproxen are pain killers. Both are non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase - an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain). Research studies have shown both are equally effective. However, gastric side effects are lesser with naproxen as compared to Arthrodac.

Can Arthrodac be used with diuretics?

No. Arthrodac should not be used with diuretics. Arthrodac reduces the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides diuretics in some patients. This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis.

Can Arthrodac be used with warfarin?

No. Arthrodac should be avoided with warfarin as they both lead to increase in bleeding tendencies. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications. If given together then the therapy should be monitored closely.

What increases the chances of getting a gastric ulcer when I am already taking Arthrodac?

The chances of gastric ulceration increases if you take medicines like corticosteroids and anticoagulants. Long term use, alcohol, smoking and old age are few other factors which can increase the chances of ulceration.

Can I use Arthrodac if I have a deranged renal function?

No. Arthrodac should not be taken if you have a abnormal renal function because long-term administration of NSAIDs has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and another renal injury.

What is the difference between Arthrodac and meloxicam?

Both Arthrodac and meloxicam are pain killers. Both are non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase - an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain). Research studies have shown both are equally effective. However, acute gastric side effects are lesser with meloxicam as compared to Arthrodac.