Tenoxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties and it also inhibits platelet aggregation. Tenoxicam inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis. In-vitro tests of leukocyte peroxidase suggest that tenoxicam may act as a scavenger for active oxygen at the site of inflammation. Tenoxicam is a potent in-vitro inhibitor of human metalloproteinases (stromelysin and collagenase), which induce cartilage breakdown. These pharmacological effects explain, at least in part, the therapeutic benefit of Tenoxicam in the treatment of painful inflammatory and degenerative disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Tenoxicam showed no mutagenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic effects in animals. As with other prostaglandin inhibitors, renal and gastrointestinal effects, increased incidence of dystocia and delayed parturition were observed in animal safety studies.

Tenoxicam is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of the following painful inflammatory and degenerative disorders of the musculoskeletal system:

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Arthrosis.
• Ankylosing spondylitis.
• Extra-articular disorders, e.g. tendinitis, bursitis, periarthritis of the shoulders (shoulder-hand syndrome) or hips, strains, and sprains.
• Acute gout.

Standard dosage: For all indications except acute gout, a daily dosage of 20 mg should be given at the same time of day.

In acute attacks of gout: The recommended dose for acute attacks of gout is 40 mg once daily for two days followed by 20 mg once daily for a further five days.

In the treatment of chronic disorders: The therapeutic effect of tenoxicam is evident early in treatment but there is a progressive increase in response over time. In chronic disorders, daily doses higher than 20 mg should be avoided since this would increase the frequency and intensity of unwanted reactions without significantly increasing efficacy. For patients needing long-term treatment, a reduction to a daily oral dose of 10 mg may be tried for maintenance.

Special dosage instructions: In principle, the above dosage recommendations also apply to elderly patients and to patients suffering from kidney or liver disease. Because of lack of clinical experience, no dosage recommendations have so far been established for children and adolescents.

Administration

The tablets should be taken with a glass of water. It is preferable to take this medicine during or immediately after a meal.

Tenoxicam must not be administered to patients:

• known to be hypersensitive to the drug;
• in whom salicylates or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, or urticaria;
• suffering or having suffered from the disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer.

Based on clinical trials including large numbers of patients, Tenoxicam proved to be well tolerated in the recommended dose. Usually, the undesirable effects reported were mild and transient. In a small proportion of patients, the interruption of treatment due to undesirable effects was necessary. Local tolerance of Tenoxicam given parenterally was good. The following undesirable effects have been reported:

Frequency is greater than 1%-

• Gastrointestinal tract: gastric, epigastric and abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, heartburn, nausea.
• Central nervous system: dizziness, headache.

Frequency less than 1%-

• Gastrointestinal tract: constipation, diarrhea, stomatitis, gastritis, vomiting, ulcers, Gl-bleeding including hematemesis and melena.
• Central nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbances, appetite loss, dry mouth, vertigo.
• Skin: itching (also in the anal region after rectal administration), erythema, exanthema, rash, urticaria.
• Urinary tract and kidneys: increase in BUN or creatinine, edema.
• Liver and biliary tract: increased liver enzyme activity.
• Cardiovascular system: palpitations.

Isolated cases (frequency less than 0.01%)-

• Gastrointestinal tract: Gl-perforation.
• Central nervous system: visual disturbances.
• Skin: Stevens-Johnson and Lyell's syndrome, photosensitivity reaction, vasculitis.
• Blood: anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.
• Hypersensitivity reactions: dyspnea, asthma, anaphylaxis, angioedema.
• Cardiovascular system: elevated blood pressure, mainly in patients treated with cardiovascular drugs.
• Liver/Biliary tract: hepatitis.

Overdose Effects

Although there is no experience of acute overdosage with Tenoxicam, it may be expected that the signs and symptoms mentioned under Undesirable effects would be more pronounced. Overdose should be countered by conventional measures to reduce absorption (e.g. gastrolavage and charcoal) and speed up elimination (e.g. cholestyramine).

NSAIDs inhibit renal prostaglandin synthesis and consequently may have an undesirable effect on renal hemodynamics and on salt and water balance. It is necessary to adequately monitor the patient with a special emphasis on cardiac and renal function (BUN, creatinine, development of edema, weight gain, etc.) when giving Tenoxicam to patients with conditions that could increase their risk of developing renal failure, such as pre-existing renal disease, impaired renal function in diabetics, hepatic cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, volume depletion or concomitant treatment with potentially nephrotoxic drugs, diuretics and corticosteroids. Tenoxicam inhibits platelet aggregation and may affect hemostasis. Tenoxicam has no significant influence on blood coagulation factors, coagulation time, prothrombin time or activated thromboplastin time. Patients having coagulation disorders or receiving drug therapy that interferes with hemostasis should, however, be carefully observed when Tenoxicam is administered. Any patient being treated with Tenoxicam who presents with symptoms of gastrointestinal disease should be closely monitored. If peptic ulceration or gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, Tenoxicam should be immediately withdrawn. If severe skin reactions (e.g. Lyell's or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) occur, the treatment should be discontinued immediately. Adverse eye findings have been reported with Tenoxicam. Thus ophthalmic evaluation is recommended for patients who develop visual disturbances. Because of the high plasma protein binding of tenoxicam, caution is required when plasma albumin levels are markedly reduced. In common with anti-inflammatory drugs, Tenoxicam may mask the usual signs of infection. Tenoxicam Tablets should not be given to patients who either dislike or do not tolerate milk products.

Use in Special Populations

Use in Children & adolescent: Tenoxicam is not recommended for use in patients under 16 years of age, as the dose and indications in this population have not been established.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Patients experiencing adverse events that might affect driving or using machines, such as vertigo, dizziness or visual disturbances should refrain from driving a car or using machines.

Pregnancy & Lactation

NSAIDs have an inhibitory effect on prostaglandin synthesis and, when given during late pregnancy, may cause the closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus, prolong labor and delay parturition. Treatment during the third trimester of pregnancy should be avoided. Based on findings from single-dose administration, a very small amount (approximately 0.2%) of tenoxicam passes into breast milk. There is no evidence of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants of mothers taking Tenoxicam. Nevertheless, infants should be weaned or the drug discontinued.