Piroxicam is a medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is often referred to simply as an anti-inflammatory, or sometimes as an NSAID. It works by preventing the production of some natural chemicals in your body which cause pain and inflammation. This leaflet deals with piroxicam when it is appliedtopically to the skin. Piroxicam can also betaken by mouthin the form of tablets and capsules, although other medicines are usually preferred to it.
When piroxicam is applied to the skin as a gel, instead of it having an effect on all of your body, it only works on the area where you have applied it. It is absorbed into your skin and then moves deeper into areas of your body where there is inflammation (for example, your muscle). Using a topical gel means that the total amount of piroxicam in your body remains low. This in turn means that you are much less likely to have a side-effect to the medicine. Topical anti-inflammatories like piroxicam are prescribed for adults - they are not generally suitable for use by children.
