Feldene Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Feldene Capsule contains piroxicam, a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID). It is used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis by reducing pain and inflammation such as heat, throbbing, swelling and redness. Feldene relieves symptoms but does not cure the underlying condition, and it should be used exactly as your doctor prescribes.

What is Feldene Capsule

Feldene contains piroxicam and belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These medicines work by relieving pain and inflammation (heat, throbbing, swelling, redness). Although Feldene can relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your condition.

Feldene Capsule uses

• Treats the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
• Treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis
• Treats the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder that mainly affects the spine

Benefits of Feldene Capsule

• Relieves pain and inflammation such as heat, throbbing, swelling and redness
• Helps improve joint mobility and function in people with arthritis by reducing inflammation

How Feldene Capsule works

Feldene is an NSAID that works by relieving pain and inflammation such as heat, throbbing, swelling and redness.

Feldene Capsule dosage

• Try to take Feldene at the same time each day, either morning or evening. 
• It is best to take Feldene immediately after food to avoid the chance of an upset stomach. 
• Swallow the capsules whole with water. 
• Keep taking Feldene every day until your doctor tells you to stop. You may need to take it for a long time. 
• If you take it for a long time, see your doctor for regular check-ups to monitor your condition and treatment.
• Do not give Feldene to children aged 12 years and under.
• If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule
• Dispersible tablet (Feldene-D)

Side effects of Feldene Capsule

Common

• Upset stomach including nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Pain in the stomach
• Wind
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Drowsiness or sleepiness
• Headache
• Sore mouth or tongue
• Buzzing or ringing in the ears
• Hair loss or thinning
• Loose nails
• Change in mood, for example depression

Serious

• Severe pain or tenderness in the stomach
• Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, reddish or purple blotches under the skin
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Symptoms of sunburn such as redness, itching, swelling or blistering that occur more quickly than normal
• Blurred vision or other visual disturbances
• Severe dizziness or spinning sensation
• Increase in blood pressure
• Fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Difficulty hearing or deafness
• Signs of infection such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
• Signs of anaemia such as tiredness, shortness of breath and looking pale
• Unusual weight gain, swelling of ankles or legs
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Bleeding from the back passage, black sticky stools or bloody diarrhoea
• Swelling of the face, lips or tongue that makes swallowing or breathing difficult
• Asthma, wheezing or shortness of breath
• Sudden or severe itching, skin rash or hives
• Fainting
• Pain or tightness in the chest

Warnings and precautions

• Feldene can increase your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you have no risk factors. 
• Do not use it just before or after heart bypass surgery.
• Do not use Feldene if you are allergic to piroxicam, aspirin or any other NSAID, or if you have an active ulcer or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Do not give Feldene to children aged 12 years and under, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.
• If you take Feldene while you have an infection, it may hide some signs of infection such as pain, fever, swelling or redness, and make you think mistakenly that you are better.
• Do not take Feldene if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or if the expiry date has passed.
• Do not take Feldene if you are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant, unless your doctor says otherwise. 
• It must not be used at all during the third trimester. 
• In the first two trimesters it should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. 
• NSAIDs can increase the risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy and have been linked to reversible infertility in some women. Speak to your doctor.
• Feldene is not to be used during breastfeeding. 
• The active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. 
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• Do not use Feldene if you have severe kidney disease. 
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney disease. 
• Feldene may cause kidney problems.
• Do not use Feldene if you have severe liver failure. 
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. 
• Be careful drinking alcohol while taking Feldene, as it may increase your risk of developing stomach problems and may affect how well the medicine works.
• Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Feldene affects you. 
• As with other NSAID medicines, it may cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision in some people. 
• If this happens, do not drive or do things that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Storage

• Keep your capsules in their pack until it is time to take them.
• Keep them in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
• Store away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills.
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking Feldene, or the capsules have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.

When to see a doctor

• Go to Emergency at your nearest hospital immediately if you have a serious allergic reaction, vomit blood or see blood in stool, faint, or have chest tightness or pain.
• If you take too much Feldene you may feel sick, or have stomach pain, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. 
• Get urgent medical help by contacting your local poison information centre, your doctor, or going to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you have no signs of discomfort.
• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction, or signs of a heart attack or stroke such as chest pain, sudden numbness or weakness on one side, slurred speech or shortness of breath.

Alternatives

• Arcoxia
• Celebrex
• Meloxicam
• Brufen