Which drug is Felvin? Unveiling the Pharmacological Identity of Piroxicam

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

Felvin is a brand name for the active drug piroxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has been used to treat pain and inflammation since its approval in 1979. It is particularly recognized for its long half-life, which allows for once-daily dosing.

Quick Summary

Felvin is the brand name for piroxicam, a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders. It works by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, but it carries significant cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks.

Key Points

Active Ingredient: Felvin is a brand name for the generic drug piroxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Mechanism of Action: Piroxicam works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are hormones that cause pain and inflammation.
Primary Uses: It is prescribed to treat pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute musculoskeletal disorders.
Significant Risks: The FDA has issued black box warnings for piroxicam concerning an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke) and gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.
Key Precautions: Piroxicam should be avoided before or after heart bypass surgery, in patients with a history of NSAID-related asthma, and during the later stages of pregnancy.
Drug Interactions: It is essential to inform your doctor about all medications you take, especially blood thinners, other NSAIDs, and certain antidepressants, to avoid harmful interactions.

Understanding the Active Ingredient: Piroxicam

When a patient asks, "Which drug is Felvin?" the answer points to a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, called piroxicam. Piroxicam was originally patented by Pfizer in 1968 and became available under various brand names worldwide, including Feldene. Felvin, specifically mentioned by several pharmaceutical sources, is another one of these brand names for piroxicam capsules. As a prescription medication, it is used to manage a variety of painful and inflammatory conditions.

The Mechanism of Action: How Piroxicam Works

Piroxicam functions by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are chemical mediators responsible for pain, fever, and inflammation in the body. It achieves this by blocking the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme system, particularly COX-1, which is involved in producing these inflammatory substances. By reducing prostaglandin levels, piroxicam effectively diminishes inflammation and provides analgesic (pain-relieving) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects. A unique feature of piroxicam is its long plasma half-life of approximately 50 hours, which is why it can often be prescribed as a once-daily capsule.

Therapeutic Uses for Felvin (Piroxicam)

Piroxicam (Felvin) is primarily prescribed to manage the pain and inflammation associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Its applications include treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute musculoskeletal disorders, acute gout, and postoperative pain.

Notable Drug Interactions

Awareness of potential drug interactions is crucial when taking piroxicam (Felvin) due to the increased risk of serious side effects when combined with certain medications. These include other NSAIDs, anticoagulants like warfarin, corticosteroids, some blood pressure medications, and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Information on drug interactions can be found on {Link: DailyMed dailymed.nlm.nih.gov}.

Safety Considerations and Black Box Warnings

Piroxicam comes with significant safety warnings, including black box warnings from the FDA. These highlight the potential for serious, potentially fatal adverse events, such as increased risk of cardiovascular thrombotic events (heart attack, stroke), gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. There is also a contraindication for pain before or after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery, and rare but serious skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) have been reported. Further details on these risks are available on {Link: DailyMed dailymed.nlm.nih.gov} and {Link: Pfizer https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=12878}.

Comparison Table: Piroxicam vs. Naproxen

A comparison between Piroxicam (Felvin) and Naproxen reveals differences in features like dosage frequency, onset of action, primary uses, available forms, and cardiovascular risk. For a detailed table, refer to {Link: DailyMed dailymed.nlm.nih.gov} and {Link: Pfizer https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=12878}.

Conclusion

Felvin, which is the brand name for the NSAID piroxicam, is used for managing inflammatory pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While its long half-life allows for once-daily dosing, it's important to be aware of the substantial safety risks associated with its use, particularly the boxed warnings regarding cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential to assess benefits versus risks and check for potential contraindications or drug interactions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The active ingredient in Felvin is piroxicam, a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation.

Felvin is primarily used to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it can also be prescribed for ankylosing spondylitis, acute musculoskeletal conditions, and menstrual pain.

Piroxicam reduces pain and inflammation by blocking the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, which is responsible for producing prostaglandins, the body's natural inflammatory mediators.

Serious side effects of Felvin (piroxicam) include an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and serious gastrointestinal issues like bleeding and ulcers. The FDA has issued black box warnings for these risks.

It is generally not recommended to take Felvin (piroxicam) with other NSAIDs due to an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. Always consult your doctor before combining pain medications.

No, piroxicam is a prescription-only medication and is not available over the counter.

Due to its long half-life, piroxicam is often prescribed as a once-daily capsule.

Individuals who have recently had or are about to have heart bypass surgery, those with a history of asthma triggered by NSAIDs, and women in the later stages of pregnancy should avoid piroxicam.