LORNOXICAM - A REVIEW OF ITS PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PAINFUL AND INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS

Lornoxicam (chlortenoxicam), a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and ant ipyretic properties, is available in oral and parenteral formulations. Ir is distinguished from established oxicams by a relatively short el imination half-life (3 to 5 hours), which may be advantageous from a t olerability standpoint. Data from preliminary clinical trials suggest that lornoxicam is as effective as the opioid analgesics morphine, pet hidine (meperidine) and tramadol in relieving postoperative pain follo wing gynaecological or orthopaedic surgery, and as effective as other NSAIDs after oral surgery. Lornoxicam was also as effective as other N SAIDs in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, a nkylosing spondylitis, acute sciatica and low back pain. Lornoxicam ha s a tolerability profile characteristic of an NSAID, with gastrointest inal disturbances being the most common adverse events. Limited clinic al experience to date suggests that, as with a number of other NSAIDs, lornoxicam may provide a better-tolerated alternative or adjuvant to opioid analgesics for the management of moderate to severe pain. It ha s also demonstrated potential as an alternative to other NSAIDs for th e management of arthritis and other painful and inflammatory condition s. These preliminary findings require confirmation in further comparat ive and long term studies.