What is the difference between Irox and tramadol?

How long does Irox work?

Irox 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.

What is the difference between Irox and ketoprofen?

Both Irox and ketoprofen are pain killers. Both are non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain). Research studies have shown ketoprofen topical gel is better and effective as compared to Irox. Ketoprofen gel also showed excellent tolerability.

What are the contraindications for Irox?

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.

What is the difference between Irox and nimesulide?

Both Irox and nimesulide are pain killers. However, Irox 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 increases the chances of getting a gastric ulcer when I am already taking Irox?

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 Irox be used with calcium channel blocker?

Yes. Irox 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)

Is Irox a NSAID?

Yes. Irox is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Can Irox be used with Tizanidine?

Yes, Irox 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.

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

No. Irox 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 are the serious side effects of Irox?

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 Irox be used along with paracetamol?

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

Can Irox be used along with dexamethasone?

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

Are there any alternatives of Irox?

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

Can Irox be used in the treatment of allergy?

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

Why is beta cyclodextrin added to Irox?

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

Are Irox and aspirin same?

No. Irox 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 I use Irox if I am pregnant?

No. Irox 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.

Can I use Irox 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.

Can you donate blood when on the medication with Irox?

Yes. You can donate blood when on Irox. Do inform your doctor before donating blood.

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

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 Irox if I have peptic ulcer disease?

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

Can Irox lead to difficulty in conception?

Yes. Irox 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.

Is Irox a narcotic?

No. Irox 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 Irox be used with lithium?

No. Irox should not be used with lithium. Irox leads to an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance. This is because of inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by the NSAID. Consult and inform your doctor before starting this medication.

Can Irox be used with methocarbamol?

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