Side Effects:

Common Abdominal pain, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Epigastric pain, Flatulence, Nausea, Vomiting, Indigestion.

Expert advice for Flextab Tablet SR
Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver problems. It should be taken with food or milk to avoid getting an upset stomach. It can cause serious complications like stomach bleeding and kidney problems if taken for a long time. Flextab can raise your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or a stroke. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the difference between Flextab and diclofenac?
Both Flextab and diclofenac are pain killers. However, piroxicam is a non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase - an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) inhibitor whereas diclofenac has a bit more selectivity to a COX-2 enzyme. This selectivity of diclofenac is supposed to decrease the side effects as compared to Flextab.

Q. What is the difference between Flextab and naproxen?
Both Flextab and naproxen are pain killers. Both are non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase - an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain). Research studies have shown both are equally effective. However, gastric side effects are lesser with naproxen as compared to Flextab.

Q. What is the difference between Flextab and meloxicam?
Both Flextab and meloxicam are pain killers. Both are non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase - an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain). Research studies have shown both are equally effective. However, acute gastric side effects are lesser with meloxicam as compared to Flextab.

Q. What is the difference between Flextab and ketoprofen?
Both Flextab and ketoprofen are pain killers. Both are non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain). Research studies have shown ketoprofen topical gel is better and effective as compared to Flextab. Ketoprofen gel also showed excellent tolerability.

Q. What is the difference between Flextab and tramadol?
Flextab is a COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) whereas Tramadol is a narcotic-like painkiller. Tramadol is a habit forming medicine.

Q. What is the difference between Flextab and nimesulide?
Both Flextab and nimesulide are pain killers. However, Flextab is a non-selective COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) inhibitor whereas nimesulide is selective to the COX-2 enzyme. This selectivity of nimesulide is supposed to decrease the side effects as compared to piroxicam. It should not be used in children below 12 years of age.

Q. Can Flextab be used in the treatment of chikungunya?
Usually, the platelet count does not dip in cases of chikungunya and painkillers like piroxicam can lead to the risk of increased bleeding tendency. So refrain from taking Flextab or any painkiller in the case of any fever with joint pain. Consult your doctor before starting Flextab.

Q. Are Flextab and aspirin same?
No. Flextab and aspirin are not same. They belong to the same class of drugs known as COX (cyclooxygenase) inhibitors. They both are anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Q. Can Flextab be used along with dexamethasone?
No. Flextab should not be used with dexamethasone. They both increase each other's toxicity. There is an increased risk of GI ulceration.

Q. Can Flextab be used with methocarbamol?
Yes. Methocarbamol can be used with Flextab as no serious side effects are known. Inform your doctor before starting any of the medication.

Q. Can Flextab be used along with paracetamol?
Yes. Paracetamol can be used with Flextab as no serious side effects are known. Inform your doctor before starting any of the medication.

Q. Is Flextab a NSAID?
Yes. Flextab is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Q. Is Flextab a sulfa drug?
Flextab is a sulphur containing compound. Flextab can cause serious adverse events in sensitive individuals. It can cause severe skin reactions like Steven Johnson Syndrome. Do inform your doctor if you have any kind of allergies.

Q. Is Flextab a blood thinner?
No. Flextab is not a blood thinner. It is a pain killer. It should be avoided in a patient with a bleeding disorder.

Q. Is Flextab a muscle relaxant?
No. Flextab is not a muscle relaxant. It is a pain killer which acts on COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) enzyme.

Q. Is Flextab a narcotic?
No. Flextab is not a narcotic. It is a pain killer which acts on COX (cyclooxygenase -an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) enzyme to decrease the pain and inflammation.

Q. Can Flextab be used in hypertension?
No. Flextab is not a medication to control hypertension. It is important to note that Flextab decreases the effectiveness of the antihypertensive medication when given together. Inform your doctor if you are taking antihypertensive medications before starting Flextab.

Q. Can Flextab be used along with Losartan?
No. Flextab should not be combined with Losartan. It is important to note that Flextab decreases the effectiveness of the antihypertensive medication like losartan when given together leading to failure of antihypertensive therapy. Inform your doctor if you are taking antihypertensive medications before starting Flextab.

Q. Can Flextab be used with Lisinopril?
No. Flextab should be avoided with lisinopril. It is important to note that piroxicam decreases the effectiveness of the antihypertensive medication like lisinopril when given together leading to failure of antihypertensive therapy. Inform your doctor if you are taking antihypertensive medications before starting Flextab.

Q. Can Flextab be used with calcium channel blocker?
Yes. Flextab can be taken with calcium channel blocker. NSAIDs have been observed to reduce the effectiveness of all antihypertensive drugs except calcium channel blockers (ref: White 2007)

Q. Can Flextab be used with Tizanidine?
Yes, Flextab can be combined with tizanidine. Piroxicam is a pain killer and tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It is used in the condition like a backache.

Q. Why is beta cyclodextrin added to Flextab?
Yes. Flextab can be combined with beta-cyclodextrin. Research has shown that combining Flextab with beta-cyclodextrin leads to faster onset of action of piroxicam and reduced gastric side effects.

Q. Are there any alternatives of Flextab?
Yes. There are alternatives to Flextab. Pain killers are prescribed according to the disease condition. Consult your doctor before starting piroxicam or changing it to other medication.

Q. What are the contraindications for Flextab?
Contraindications to piroxicam are an allergy, bleeding tendency, duodenal/gastric/peptic ulcer, stomatitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, upper GI disease, late pregnancy, cardiac disease, hepatic impairment, renal impairment.

Q. Can Flextab be used in the treatment of allergy?
No. Flextab is not a drug to treat allergy. It is a pain killer.

Q. How long does Flextab work?
Flextab is a long acting drug. Once the daily dose is enough for the relief of pain but it depends from person to person as the effectiveness of piroxicam increases when given for few weeks.

Q. Can you get high by using Flextab?
No. Flextab is not known to cause high. It is a non-narcotic painkiller.

Q. Can Flextab be used to treat menstrual cramp?
Flextab is not approved for the treatment of menstrual cramps. Research studies have shown that piroxicam is quite effective in significantly decreasing the menstrual cramps.

Q. Can I use Flextab for a migraine?
Flextab is not approved for the treatment of migraine. Research studies have shown that Flextab is effective in significantly decreasing the pain associated with migraine without aura.

Q. Is Flextab effective in back pain management?
Yes. It can be given for decreasing the back pain. However, you should consult your doctor for the exact cause of your back pain and then start the treatment. Do not self-medicate yourself with Flextab as the cause of back pain can be different for different person.

Q. Is Flextab affective in gout management?
Yes. Flextab can be given for the treatment of acute gout. Research studies have shown Flextab to be highly effective in the treatment of acute gout.

Q. Can you donate blood when on the medication with Flextab?
Yes. You can donate blood when on Flextab. Do inform your doctor before donating blood.

Q. Can I use Flextab if I am a diabetic?
Flextab in a diabetic patient can only be taken only by consulting a doctor because these medicines have the propensity to cause renal failure when taken for a long period. Diabetes itself causes renal Flextab so taking piroxicam can lead to increased risk of renal failure by many folds.

Q. Can I use Flextab if I have a deranged renal function?
No. Flextab should not be taken if you have a abnormal renal function because long-term administration of NSAIDs has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and another renal injury.

Q. Can Flextab lead to skin reactions?
Yes. Flextab is known to cause skin reactions which can be very severe such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal. These serious events may occur without warning. You should inform your doctor if you feel you have a mild rash and immediately discontinue the drug.

Q. Can I use Flextab if I am pregnant?
No. Flextab should not be taken in pregnancy. It causes premature closure of the ductus arteriosus which can lead to fetal heart failure and death of the baby.

Q. Can I use Flextab if I have peptic ulcer disease?
No. Flextab is contraindicated in cases of active peptic ulcer disease. Flextab is known to cause gastric ulceration and bleeding.

Q. Can I use Flextab if I have asthma?
Some patients with asthma are hypersensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs like aspirin which can lead to acute attacks of asthma. Consult your doctor before starting this medication.

Q. Can Flextab lead to difficulty in conception?
Yes. Flextab can sometimes cause reversible infertility. Piroxicam by its mechanism of action may delay or prevent rupture of ovarian follicles, which has been associated with reversible infertility in some women. Consult your doctor before starting this medication.

Q. Can Flextab be used with diuretics?
No. Flextab should not be used with diuretics. Flextab reduces the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides diuretics in some patients. This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis.

Q. Can Flextab be used with lithium?
No. Flextab should not be used with lithium. Flextab leads to an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance. This is because of inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by the NSAID. Consult and inform your doctor before starting this medication.

Q. Can Flextab be used with warfarin?
No. Flextab should be avoided with warfarin as they both lead to increase in bleeding tendencies. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications. If given together then the therapy should be monitored closely.

Q. What increases the chances of getting a gastric ulcer when I am already taking Flextab?
The chances of gastric ulceration increases if you take medicines like corticosteroids and anticoagulants. Long term use, alcohol, smoking and old age are few other factors which can increase the chances of ulceration.

Q. Who should not take a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)/ Flextab?
Patients who had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAID medicine or for pain right before or after heart bypass surgery.

Q. What are the serious side effects of Flextab?
GI discomfort and, rarely, serious GI side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, serious skin side effects such as exfoliative, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis, liver failure, renal damage.