Lornoxicam is a medication that a doctor may prescribe to a patient experiencing pain caused by inflammation like that seen with arthritis and gout. It can be very potent and comes in the form of tablets as well as a solution for injection. The drug is available by prescription only, as it is important to get the dosage correct. Some patients cannot use lornoxicam safely and need to take other medications to manage pain and inflammation.
This drug is an example of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and is part of a family of medications known as oxicams that all act in similar ways. It operates by inhibiting key compounds the body uses to send pain signals and mediate inflammatory processes. Known as prostaglandins, these compounds can occur in large numbers with pain and inflammation, and drugs like lornoxicam suppress their production. The drug also acts as an antipyretic to reduce fever.
Patients on lornoxicam may notice gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, because the medication also suppresses the production of compounds the body uses to protect the lining of the stomach and the gut. Bronchospasm and headache are also potential lornoxicam side effects. Patients should report these symptoms, along with issues like gastrointestinal bleeding, as they can be signs of an acute bad reaction to the medication.
Pregnant patients should discuss this medication before using it, as it can cause problems for the developing fetus. There may be a safer and more appropriate medication the patient could use instead. Patients who become pregnant while taking lornoxicam can meet with an obstetrician for an evaluation and to determine if any special steps need to be taken to protect the pregnancy or evaluate the developing fetus for signs of health problems.
Acute side effects can occur in patients with a history of bad reactions to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These patients should not take lornoxicam and can discuss other options for managing pain and inflammation with a doctor. In some cases the doctor may decide that the benefits outweigh the risks, and can put the patient on a low dose, check for reactions, and increase the dosage if he appears to respond well to the drug. Patients in this situation should make sure to mention any side effects to their physician. It is also important to be aware that this drug can interact adversely with other prescriptions.
