Canada warns of using piroxicam for pain

OTTAWA, June 25 (UPI) -- Health Canada is warning consumers not to use the prescription drug piroxicam to treat short-term pain and inflammation because of safety risks.

The federal agency said it has conducted a safety review of the drug and concluded piroxicam causes an increased risk of serious skin reactions and gastrointestinal problems.

Piroxicam is a prescription drug in the family known as non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Federal officials said they determined the risks associated with its use as a treatment for acute, short-term pain no longer outweigh the benefits relative to other non-selective NSAIDs.

"Piroxicam can still be prescribed for the symptomatic relief of chronic pain and inflammation in patients suffering from certain types of chronic arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis)," Health Canada said, noting there are several alternative drugs that can be used to treat acute, short-term pain and inflammation.

Officials said the new safety information affects the product labeling only for piroxicam drugs that are indicated for the treatment of acute pain.