Overview
Tenoxicam is a drug that is primarily used to treat pain and inflammation. It blocks the production of neurotransmitters, a chemical substance that may trigger pain factors. For example, prostaglandin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the swelling and inflammation of an individual. Tenoxicam blocks these inflammation mediators and provides temporary pain relief.
How Does Tenoxicam Work?
Tenoxicam acts upon the prostaglandins produced by an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). It inhibits the activity of COX, and in turn, decreases the production of prostaglandins. Decreasing the levels of prostaglandins can aid in pain relief. Another mechanism of action of this drug is its potential to reduce free radicals and inhibit the activity of inflammatory mediation.
Uses:
Just like any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, the main purpose of Tenoxicam is pain relief. The drug has been useful for various medical conditions; a few are listed below.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis - It is an auto-immune disorder that causes inflammation of joints. Further progression of the disease may cause stiffness. Tenoxicam helps to decrease pain and enables patients to perform daily activities.
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Osteoarthritis- It is a type of degenerative joint disease that causes swelling of the joints. Tenoxicam helps reduce swelling and gives pain relief.
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Dysmenorrhea - It is a type of painful menstrual condition that mainly affects women. The drugs help relieve pain during the menstrual cycle.
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Acute Gout - It is a type of arthritis that occurs due to the buildup of uric acid in the joints. It causes severe pain when an individual walks or moves around. Tenoxicam helps relieve the pain.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis - It is arthritis that affects the spine and causes stiffness and pain.
Dosage:
The dosage may vary for each individual as per the medical conditions, which are listed below:
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The recommended adult dosage is 20 mg once daily. Elderly individuals with kidney or liver impairment may require a lower dosage that does not cause any side effects.
Consulting a healthcare professional can give a clear idea about the recommended dose based on an individual's symptoms and medical condition.
What Are the Drug Warnings and Precautions?
The drug carries a few warnings and precautions that are to be taken into consideration before consuming it.
A few warnings are mentioned below:
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Allergic Reactions - The drug may cause allergies or anaphylaxis, which may be life-threatening.
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Renal Toxicity - The drug causes renal toxicity in patients, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions.
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Pregnancy - The drug is avoided, as it may harm the child or fetus. Breastfeeding mothers are also advised not to consume Tenoxicam due to the chances of affecting the child.
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Gastrointestinal Risk - The drug causes stomach ulcers and bleeding. It may also cause perforation, which can be life-threatening.
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Cardiovascular Risk - The drug may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially when consumed in higher doses.
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Hepatic Toxicity - Tenoxicam may cause damage to the liver, especially in patients with alcohol abuse or pre-existing liver disease.
For Patients:
What Is Arthritis?
Inflammation of one or more joints is called arthritis.
There are different types of arthritis; some are mentioned below:
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Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a condition that precipitates when the cushioning areas surrounding the bone wear down. It usually occurs over time and may result in pain.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that attacks joints, causing swelling and inflammation.
The symptoms of this condition include joint pain and stiffness. The severity of the symptoms may vary with each individual.
Learn More About Tenoxicam:
When and How Often to Take Tenoxicam?
The drug is taken once daily, with or without food, per the doctor's recommendations. The specific doses may vary with each individual. It is safer to consume the drug per the recommendation to avoid complications.
How Effective Is Tenoxicam?
Many clinical studies have proven the drug effective in reducing pain and inflammation. It is used for various medical conditions like arthritis, dysmenorrhea, and ankylosing spondylitis. The drug's effectiveness is altered by various factors, like the severity of symptoms and the patient's age.
Things to Inform The Doctor Before They Prescribe Tenoxicam :
Before starting the treatment, informing the doctor about the existing medical condition and drug history is better. This helps the doctor make the right decision and aids them in prescribing drugs accordingly to minimize drug interactions and complications.
How to Take Tenoxicam?
Read the label on the bottle, and follow the instructions the healthcare provider recommends. The drug can be consumed with or without food. The tablet should be completely swallowed. Avoid consuming more than the recommended dosage. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
Things to Do After Starting Tenoxicam:
After starting the drug, consult the doctor regularly for any dosage adjustments and the prognosis of the disease. Frequent follow-ups can be very helpful.
What Are the Side Effects of Tenoxicam?
A few commonly reported side effects are mentioned below
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Gastrointestinal effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and diarrhea.
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Cardiovascular side effects like increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
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Renal side effects like renal toxicity.
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Allergies.
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Central nervous system side effects like dizziness, headache, and drowsiness.
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Dermatological side effects like rash, itching, and photosensitivity.
Dietary Alterations:
Unless mentioned by the healthcare professional or dietician, no specific alterations are required.
What Should Be Done When a Dose Is Missed?
In the event of missing a dose, consuming at the earliest possible is better. Double dosing can be avoided; taking more than the prescribed dose can be harmful. Only consume the drug at most of the period provided by the healthcare professional. In case of any doubts regarding the missed dose, contact the health provider. They help and guide to ensure the safety of the individual consuming the drug.
What Should Be Done to Treat a Tenoxicam Overdose?
In the event of an overdose, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The symptoms of Tenoxicam overdose are mentioned below.
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Nausea.
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Vomiting.
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Stomach pain.
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Increased blood pressure.
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Rapid heart rate.
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Difficulty breathing.
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Drowsiness.
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Confusion.
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Dizziness.
Treatment for overdosing involves managing the symptoms and supportive care to prevent complications. Some of the measures are
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Gastric lavage is done to remove the drug that remains in the stomach. Activated charcoal can also be used for the same purpose.
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Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration.
How to Store Tenoxicam?
The drug should be stored at room temperature. Keep it away from moisture and sunlight.
How to Handle Tenoxicam?
The drug should be handled with care. The following are a few tips for handling Tenoxicam.
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Consume the drug with a glass of water, and avoid crushing or chewing the drug.
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Do not exceed the recommended dose or take it frequently unless instructed by the healthcare provider.
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Inform the doctor regarding any medications consumed for any medical condition.
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Do not share the drug with individuals suffering from similar symptoms, as the dosage may be specific to each individual.
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Check the expiration date on the label before consuming the drug.
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In the event of any unusual symptoms or side effects, inform the doctor immediately.
How to Dispose of Tenoxicam?
Look for any specific information provided on the label for disposal. The drug should be discarded safely to prevent accidental ingestion and environmental contamination. Do not flush the drug down the drain or toilets; it could contaminate the water supply. Avoid throwing the drug in the trash, as it could be accidentally retrieved and consumed by others. Contact a local take-back program to ensure safe drug disposal.
Avoid Self-Medication:
Self-medication can be harmful and may cause unwanted complications. So avoid taking self-medication without the doctor’s recommendation.
Tips to Stay On Track:
A daily reminder or a phone alarm can help to consume the drug regularly without skipping it. Also, taking the drug every day at the same time can make it a habit.
For Doctors:-
Indication:
Tenoxicam is indicated for patients suffering from pain and swelling caused by arthritis. The drug is also used for gout and dysmenorrhea.
Pharmacology:
Drug Taxonomy
Chemical Name - 4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-N–(1-pyridinyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide 1,1-dioxide.
Class - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Subclass - Oxicams
Mechanism of Action: Tenoxicam is a highly selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor. This enzyme is primarily responsible for producing prostaglandins. It inhibits the production of prostaglandins, essential for mediating pain and inflammation.
Pharmacodynamics: Tenoxicam can be an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory drug.
Ingredients:
Active Ingredient: Tenoxicam.
Inactive Ingredients:
The inactive ingredients vary depending on the formulations of the manufacturers.
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Lactose monohydrate.
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Sodium starch glycolate.
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Povidone.
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Colloidal silicon dioxide.
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Magnesium stearate.
Absorption:
Tenoxicam is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration and reaches plasma concentration within two to four hours. The bioavailability of Tenoxicam is approximately 100 percent. Therefore, it can be taken with or without food.
Distribution:
A large amount of the drug is distributed in the body's tissues. It penetrates the synovial fluid of the inflamed joints and provides analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The distribution can be affected by age, gender, and comorbidities.
Metabolism and Elimination:
The drug is metabolized in the liver by a cytochrome. The metabolites are eliminated from the body through urine and feces.
Toxicity:
The drug may cause dose-related toxicity with prolonged use. It may cause symptoms like diarrhea and peptic ulcers.
Clinical Studies for Tenoxicam:
Clinical trials help to understand the safety of the drug. A randomized control trial was conducted on 496 patients who received Tenoxicam for six weeks. The drug is used to improve physical function. Many other studies have suggested that the drug is effective and well-tolerated for treating various inflammatory conditions. However, the medications should be individualized based on the risks and benefits of the treatment.
Drug Interactions:
The drug may interact with other drugs, affect its efficacy, and increase the risk of adverse effects.
A few important drug interactions are mentioned below:
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Using the drug with Aspirin may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, renal dysfunction, and other side effects.
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The drug enhances the efficacy of anticoagulants, resulting in increased bleeding.
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The serum concentration of methotrexate may lead to toxicity when used with Tenoxicam.
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Using the drug with diuretics may reduce its efficacy and lead to renal dysfunction.
Other Specifications:-
Tenoxicam in Pregnant Women:
The drug is contraindicated in pregnant women, especially during the third trimester. It may cause potential risks to the fetus. This drug could cause premature closure of blood vessels connecting the aorta and pulmonary arteries. Additionally, it may increase the bleeding in the mother.
Tenoxicam in Lactating Women:
The drug is excreted into human milk and is not recommended for breastfeeding. It may cause serious adverse reactions in nursing infants.
Tenoxicam in Pediatric Patients:
No clear evidence has been established for drug use in children. However, the drug has rarely been used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Tenoxicam in Geriatric Patients:
The drug has increased adverse effects in elderly patients; hence, a dosage alteration may be required based on the pre-existing medical condition.
Tenoxicam in Renal Impairment Patients:
The drug is avoided in renal-impaired patients as it may exacerbate renal dysfunction. In mild or moderate impairment cases, the dosage is adjusted based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. A dosage of 10 mg per day is advised for patients with mild renal impairment.
Tenoxicam in Hepatic Impairment Patients:
The drug should be used cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment as it is metabolized in the liver. Patients with hepatic impairment may experience delayed drug clearance, increasing the side effects. In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the drug is contraindicated.
