Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belonging to the oxicam class, widely used to relieve pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with conditions like arthritis. First developed in the 1960s by Pfizer, it was introduced clinically in the early 1970s as part of a new wave of long-acting NSAIDs aimed at improving patient convenience and compliance. Its design allows for once-daily dosing while targeting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes to reduce prostaglandin synthesis, thereby controlling inflammation and pain. Over the decades, piroxicam has been valued for chronic management of musculoskeletal disorders, although careful use is advised due to potential gastrointestinal and renal side effects, reflecting the balance between therapeutic benefits and risks that shaped its history.
