Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: PIROXICAM versus VOLTAREN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: PIROXICAM versus VOLTAREN.
PIROXICAM vs VOLTAREN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, thereby decreasing inflammation, pain, and fever.
Diclofenac inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, thereby providing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.
10-20 mg orally once daily; maximum 20 mg/day.
Oral: 50-100 mg every 8-12 hours; maximum 150 mg/day. IM: 75 mg once daily for up to 2 days. Topical gel: apply 2-4 g to affected area 4 times daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 50 hours (range 30-86 hours), allowing once-daily dosing. Prolonged in elderly (up to 80 hours) and in hepatic impairment.
Clinical Note
moderatePiroxicam + Gatifloxacin
"Piroxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Gatifloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderatePiroxicam + Rosoxacin
"Piroxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Rosoxacin."
Clinical Note
moderatePiroxicam + Levofloxacin
"Piroxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Levofloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderatePiroxicam + Trovafloxacin
"Piroxicam may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Trovafloxacin."
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 2 hours (range 1.2–2.5 hours) for diclofenac; this short half-life supports multiple daily dosing. The half-life is not significantly altered in renal impairment but may be prolonged in hepatic disease.
Approximately 60-70% renal (glomerular filtration and tubular secretion) as unchanged drug and metabolites; 30-40% fecal via biliary excretion. Less than 5% as unchanged drug in urine.
Approximately 65% of a dose is excreted renally as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates, with about 35% eliminated via biliary/fecal routes as metabolites.
Category D/X
Category C
NSAID
NSAID