Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam group. Like diclofenac and ibuprofen, it relieves pain and reduces inflammation by blocking the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes that make prostaglandins — the chemicals that drive pain, swelling and fever. Piroxicam's distinguishing feature is its long duration of action: a single 20mg dose lasts all day, so it is usually taken just once daily, which is part of why it is so popular for aches and joint pain in Nigeria.
In the NAFDAC register
81 registered products
from 70 registration holders
What it costs online
Price varies — check with a pharmacy. This drug has not yet appeared in our fortnightly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies.
Brands of Piroxicam in Nigeria
Comes as
- Capsule20 mg· 24 makers
Those 81 products from 70 registration holders include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form | NAFDAC Reg. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feldene | Pfizer | 20mg | Capsule | |
| Lifevin-20 | Life-Line Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 20mg | Capsule | B4-3325 |
| Krishat Piroxicam | Krishat Pharma Industries Limited | 20mg | Capsule | A11-100174 |
| Procam-20 | Thine Forever Pharmaceuticals Limited | 20mg | Capsule | 04-6275 |
| Philoxicam Injection | A-Nwaeze Pharmaceutical Company Limited | 20mg/2ml | Injection | B4-4686 |
Piroxicam Price in Nigeria
Piroxicam prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
How to Verify Your Piroxicam is Genuine
- 1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack — for example, Krishat Piroxicam (Krishat Pharma) carries A11-100174 in our copy of the register.
- 2Verify any piroxicam brand's number with our NAFDAC checker before paying.
- 3Buy from a registered pharmacy; because piroxicam is a cheap, high-volume painkiller, substandard and counterfeit versions circulate in open markets.
- 4Inspect the blister and carton for a clear batch number, expiry date and clean printing.
- 5A NAFDAC-registered piroxicam verified through the register — several are made in Nigeria — is a sound and affordable choice; be wary of unbranded loose capsules sold without packaging.
Where to Buy
Buying Piroxicam by the carton
Cartons are bought at Nigeria's four open drug markets. Each guide names the sellers there you can contact, and how to buy safely:
No shop we list has Piroxicam on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Piroxicam in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Piroxicam in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Piroxicam?
In Nigeria piroxicam is one of the commonest pain medicines sold in pharmacies and patent-medicine shops, typically as 20mg capsules (Feldene is the original brand), and also as tablets, an injection, and a topical gel. It is widely used — often self-prescribed — for 'waist pain', arthritis, back and muscle pain, and menstrual cramps. Our copy of the NAFDAC register lists many active piroxicam registrations from Nigerian, Indian and Chinese makers.
That same long action is also piroxicam's drawback. Because it stays in the body and is a relatively strong, non-selective NSAID, piroxicam carries a higher risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding and serious skin reactions than shorter-acting NSAIDs like ibuprofen. European regulators have restricted it to being a second-line option for long-term joint conditions, started and reviewed by a doctor, rather than a first reach for everyday pain. It deserves more caution than its over-the-counter popularity in Nigeria suggests.
What is Piroxicam used for?
In Nigeria, Piroxicam is commonly used for:
- Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear joint pain)
- Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Acute musculoskeletal pain — back pain, 'waist pain', sprains and strains
- Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhoea)
- Acute gout attacks
- Post-injury and post-operative pain in specific situations (often the injection or gel)
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
The usual adult dose is 20mg once daily, taken with or just after food. Some conditions are managed with 10mg twice daily. Because of the ulcer and bleeding risk, doctors aim for the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time, and generally keep the daily dose at or below 20mg. For long-term joint conditions the need for continued treatment should be reviewed regularly. The gel is rubbed into the painful area three or four times a day for localised pain.
Children
Piroxicam is not recommended for children. Childhood pain and fever are managed with paracetamol or, where an NSAID is appropriate, ibuprofen at weight-based doses — under medical advice.
Elderly
Older adults are much more vulnerable to piroxicam's serious effects — stomach bleeding, kidney impairment and fluid retention — and often the frailest are those buying it for chronic joint pain. Lower doses, a stomach-protecting medicine (such as omeprazole), and regular review are advised, and a safer NSAID or paracetamol is often preferable.
Always take piroxicam with food and never on an empty stomach. Do not combine it with other NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin for pain) — that multiplies the risk of stomach bleeding without adding benefit. Avoid alcohol, which further irritates the stomach. If you need pain relief for more than a few days, or you have a history of ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney problems, see a doctor rather than continuing to self-medicate.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Indigestion, heartburn, nausea and stomach pain
- •Diarrhoea or constipation
- •Headache and dizziness
- •Fluid retention and mild ankle swelling
- •Raised blood pressure
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Stomach or intestinal ulcers and bleeding — which can occur without warning; black tarry stools or vomiting blood are emergencies
- Serious skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) — piroxicam carries a notably higher risk of these than many NSAIDs
- Kidney impairment, especially in the dehydrated, elderly, or those on certain blood-pressure medicines
- Increased risk of heart attack and stroke with high doses or long-term use
- Severe allergic reaction (facial swelling, wheezing), particularly in people with aspirin-sensitive asthma
- Worsening of heart failure through fluid retention
When to see a doctor
Stop piroxicam and seek urgent care for black or tarry stools, vomiting blood or 'coffee-ground' material, severe stomach pain, any spreading rash with blistering or mouth sores, breathlessness or swelling, or signs of an allergic reaction. These can develop quickly. Anyone using piroxicam long-term for arthritis should be under a doctor's review, not simply refilling it at a shop.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Piroxicam if you have:
- Active or previous stomach/intestinal ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding
- Known allergy to piroxicam, aspirin or other NSAIDs; aspirin-sensitive asthma
- Severe heart failure
- Severe kidney or liver impairment
- Third trimester of pregnancy
- Previous serious skin reaction to any NSAID
Drug interactions
- •Other NSAIDs and aspirin — greatly increased risk of stomach bleeding; do not combine
- •Blood thinners (warfarin, and antiplatelets like clopidogrel or low-dose aspirin) — serious bleeding risk
- •Corticosteroids (e.g. prednisolone) — added ulcer and bleeding risk
- •ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics (blood-pressure/'water' tablets) — reduced effect and increased kidney strain
- •Lithium and methotrexate — piroxicam raises their levels and toxicity
- •Serotonin antidepressants (SSRIs) — increased gastrointestinal bleeding risk
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Piroxicam should be avoided in the third trimester of pregnancy because NSAIDs can harm the baby's heart and kidneys and complicate delivery; it is used earlier in pregnancy only if a doctor judges it necessary. Small amounts pass into breast milk — short use is usually considered compatible, but paracetamol or ibuprofen are generally preferred while breastfeeding. Always ask a doctor.
Related Resources for Piroxicam
Guides, articles, and tools related to Piroxicam and other pain & fever medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Piroxicam on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Piroxicam.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.