The Clinical Pharmacology of Piroxicam

Piroxicam, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandins, is effective and well‐tolerated in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. A single 40 mg dose has been shown to rapidly reduce the uterine hypercontractility of primary dysmenorrhea. In clinical trials vs placebo, piroxicam in a dose of 40 mg once daily for two days followed by 20 mg once daily thereafter demonstrated superior efficacy. In more than 1400 piroxicam‐treated menstrual cycles and more than 200 placebo‐controlled cycles, a similar incidence of side effects—7% and 8.4% respectively—was observed.