Lornoxicam
About
Lornoxicam belongs to a group of medicines called anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory agents used to reduce and relieve pain and inflammation (swelling) in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the two ends of the joints come together due to the breakdown of a protective covering called cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease (the body's immune system attacks its tissue), leading to joint pain and damage.
Lornoxicam contains 'Lornoxicam' which works by blocking the effect of chemical messengers that cause pain and inflammation. Thereby, Lornoxicam helps relieve pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
You are advised to take Lornoxicam for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience common side-effects such as dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, headache, vomiting, stomach upset and abdominal pain. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if the side-effects persist or worsen.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Lornoxicam should not be taken during the last three months of pregnancy. Lornoxicam may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Lornoxicam is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety has not been established. It is not known if alcohol affects Lornoxicam. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects/interactions.
Uses of Lornoxicam
Medicinal Benefits
Lornoxicam belongs to a group of medicines called anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory agents. Lornoxicam is used to reduce and relieve pain and inflammation (swelling) in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Lornoxicam works by blocking the effect of a chemical messenger known as cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme that makes other chemical prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced at injury sites and cause pain and swelling. By blocking the effect of COX enzymes, lesser prostaglandins are produced. This helps in reducing mild to moderate pain and inflammation at the injured or damaged site. Thereby, Lornoxicam helps to relieve pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lornoxicam
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Lornoxicam if you are allergic to any of its components, if you have thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets), gastrointestinal or other bleeding problems, peptic ulcers, severe heart, liver or kidney problems, if you have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation problems with NSAID's. Inform your doctor if you have impaired kidney or liver function, high blood pressure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, asthma, lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease), diabetes, or blood coagulation disorder. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Lornoxicam should not be taken during the last three months of pregnancy. Lornoxicam may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Lornoxicam is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety has not been established. Stop taking Lornoxicam and consult your doctor immediately if you have stomach pain or any signs of bleeding in the intestine or stomach such as blood in stools.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Lornoxicam may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin, heparin, phenprocoumon), immunosuppressant (tacrolimus, cyclosporine), pain killers (aspirin), antacid (cimetidine), anti-rheumatoid (methotrexate), anti-psychotic (lithium), cardiac glycoside (digoxin), anti-diabetic (glibenclamide), antibiotic (rifampicin), anti-fungal (fluconazole), anti-cancer (pemetrexed), diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, anti-depressants, and corticosteroids.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets), gastrointestinal or other bleeding problems, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, asthma, lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease), diabetes, blood coagulation disorder, impaired heart, kidney or liver function.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known if alcohol affects Lornoxicam. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy
cautionLornoxicam is not recommended for use during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless explicitly advised by the doctor. It is contraindicated during the last three months of pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or if you have any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
cautionLornoxicam is not recommended during breastfeeding unless explicitly advised by the doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionLornoxicam may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeLornoxicam is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles and relieves joint stiffness. Gentle activities like 20-30minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving joint flexibility and pain management.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep as resting the muscles can help in reducing inflammation and swelling.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listening to soothing music.
- Acupuncture, massage and physical therapy may also be helpful.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Foods containing flavonoids help in reducing inflammation. These include soy, berries, broccoli, grapes and green tea.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may regularly monitor your condition if you have blood coagulation disorder, impaired liver function or if you are elderly or have been prescribed Lornoxicam for more than 3 months.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoarthritis: It is a degenerative joint disease in which the two ends of the joints come together due to the breakdown of a protective covering called cartilage. Due to the absence of a protective covering, the joints rub against each other, leading to pain and stiffness. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, inflammation and tenderness. The main reason for osteoarthritis is age, the older you are, the more likely you could get osteoarthritis, thus known as degenerative disease, meaning that the joints wear out as a person ages. Other reasons include a past injury such as torn cartilage, dislocated joints and ligament injuries.
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an auto-immune disease (the body's immune system attacks its tissue), leading to joint pain and damage. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, deformities and loss of joint function.
FAQs
Lornoxicam works by blocking the effect of chemical messengers that cause pain and inflammation.
Do not take Lornoxicam for longer durations as it might increase the risk of heart problems and stomach bleeding. Do not exceed the dose and duration of treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Avoid taking Lornoxicam if you have stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, or heart problems. Talk to your doctor regarding your concerns, he/she may prescribe alternate medicine.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Lornoxicam. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in your stools (tarry stools) or experience severe diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Lornoxicam may impair fertility, therefore, it is not recommended for women trying to become pregnant. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Lornoxicam. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
