1. Why am I using FELDENE?

FELDENE contains the active ingredient piroxicam. FELDENE is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder that primarily affects, but is not limited to, the spine.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using FELDENE? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I use FELDENE?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to FELDENE, any other medicine containing piroxicam, any COX-2 inhibitor, aspirin or NSAID medicines or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Do not take FELDENE if you are pregnant, or intend on becoming pregnant, unless your doctor says otherwise

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use FELDENE? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with FELDENE and affect how it works. Examples of such medicines include aspirin or other NSAIDs, warfarin, digoxin, medicine for diabetes or epilepsy or depression, certain antibiotics, diuretics, medicine for blood pressure or cholesterol and alcohol. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use FELDENE?

The usual dose of FELDENE is between 10 mg and 20 mg, taken as a single dose each day. However, depending on your condition and how you react to the medicine, your doctor may ask you to take some other dose.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use FELDENE? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while using FELDENE?

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using [insert medicine]? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. Some of the common side effects are upset stomach (nausea or vomiting, cramps), diarrhoea or constipation, dizziness or lightheaded-ness, headache. Some side effects may be serious and need medical attention. If you experience serious allergic reaction, vomiting blood or see blood in stool, fainting or chest tightness/pain, go to Emergency at your nearest hospital immediately. If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

FELDENE^®; FELDENE-D^®

Active ingredient(s): Piroxicam (pir-oks-i-kam)

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using FELDENE. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using FELDENE.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using FELDENE?

FELDENE contains the active ingredient piroxicam. FELDENE 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).

FELDENE is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder that primarily affects, but is not limited to, the spine.

Although FELDENE can relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your condition.

Your doctor may have prescribed FELDENE for another reason.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why FELDENE has been prescribed for you.

2. What should I know before I use FELDENE?

Warnings

Do not use FELDENE if:

1. piroxicam (the active ingredient in FELDENE) or any of the capsule or tablet ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet (see Product Description)
2. other medicines containing piroxicam.
3. any medicine that is a COX-2 inhibitor
4. aspirin
5. any other medicine that is also an NSAID.

Many medicines used to treat headache, period pain and other aches and pains contain aspirin or NSAID medicines.

Do not give FELDENE to children of 12 years and under.

The safety and effectiveness of FELDENE in this age group have not been established.

If you are not sure whether you should be taking FELDENE, contact your doctor.

Do not take FELDENE if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Do not take FELDENE if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.

Tell your doctor if:

• you have any allergies to:
  • any other medicines including aspirin or other NSAID medicines
  • any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
• if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions
  • heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcers or other stomach problems
  • bowel or intestinal problems
  • asthma
  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • heart failure
  • heart disease, Use of FELDENE may increase your risk of developing a heart condition such as heart attack even if you don't have a history of heart disease.
  • high blood pressure
  • swelling of the ankles or feet (oedema)
  • a tendency to bleed.
• you currently have an infection

If you take FELDENE while you have an infection, it may hide some of the signs of an infection (e.g. pain, fever, swelling or redness). This may make you think, mistakenly, that you are better or that it is not serious.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start to take FELDENE.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take FELDENE if you are pregnant, or intend on becoming pregnant, unless your doctor says otherwise.

Like most NSAID medicines, FELDENE is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may affect your developing baby if you take it while you are pregnant, especially during the last three months of pregnancy.

NSAIDs have been associated with reversible infertility in some women. The use of NSAIDs in early pregnancy can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking FELDENE during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

Like most NSAID medicines, the active ingredient in FELDENE passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of taking FELDENE while breast-feeding.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with FELDENE and affect how it works. These include:

• aspirin (including low doses used to prevent your blood from clotting in certain heart conditions), salicylates or other NSAIDs
• warfarin or similar medicines including Eliquis, Xarelto or Pradaxa that are used to stop blood clots
• digoxin or digitoxin, medicines used to treat heart failure
• tablets used to treat diabetes
• certain antibiotics called sulphonamides
• phenytoin, a medicine used to treat epilepsy
• lithium, a medicine used to treat some types of depression
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, medicines used to treat depression
• corticosteroids, medicines used to suppress the immune system or reduce inflammation
• methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some cancers
• diuretics, also called fluid or water tablets
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• cholestyramine, a medicine used to reduce cholesterol.
• alcohol

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect FELDENE.

4. How do I use FELDENE?

How much to take

• the usual dose is between 10 mg and 20 mg, taken as a single dose each day.
• Follow the instructions provided and use FELDENE until your doctor tells you to stop.

When and how long to take FELDENE

• Try to take your 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.
• Keep taking FELDENE every day until your doctor tells you to stop.
• You may need to take FELDENE for a long time.

If you need to take FELDENE for a long time, see your doctor for regular check-ups so that he/she can monitor your condition and treatment.

How to take FELDENE

Swallow the capsules whole with water.

If you are taking the dispersible tablets (FELDENE-D), allow the tablet to dissolve in a glass of water and then drink it straight away.

If you forget to use FELDENE

FELDENE should be used regularly at the same time each day.

If it is almost time for your next dose (e.g. within 2 or 3 hours), skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you use too much FELDENE

If you take too much FELDENE, you may feel sick or have stomach pain, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. And, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre
  (by calling 13 11 26), or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while using FELDENE?

Things you should do

If you become pregnant while taking FELDENE, tell your doctor immediately.

If you are about to start any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking FELDENE.

Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking FELDENE.

If you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking FELDENE.

FELDENE can slow down blood clotting.

If you get an infection while taking FELDENE, tell your doctor.

FELDENE may hide some of the signs of an infection (e.g. pain, fever, redness, swelling). You may think, mistakenly, that you are better or that the infection is not serious.

Things you should not do

Do not give FELDENE to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not take FELDENE to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how FELDENE affects you.

As with other NSAID medicines, FELDENE 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.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Be careful of drinking alcohol whilst taking FELDENE. As with other NSAIDs medicines, alcohol may increase your risk of developing stomach problems.

Looking after your medicine

• Keep your capsules or tablets in their pack until it is time to take them.
• Keep them in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30 °C.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

• in the bathroom or near a sink, or
• in the car or on window sills.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

When to discard your medicine

If your doctor tells you to stop taking FELDENE, or the capsules or tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.

6. Are there any side effects?

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking FELDENE, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Common side effects

Serious side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What FELDENE contains

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What FELDENE looks like

FELDENE capsules are available as:

• FELDENE 10 mg - blue/red, marked FEL10 on one side and Pfizer on the other. (Aust R 47656)

A box contains 50 capsules.

• FELDENE 20 mg - maroon, marked FEL20 on one side and Pfizer on the other. (Aust R 47654)

A box contains 25 capsules.

FELDENE-D dispersible tablets are available as:

• FELDENE-D 20 mg - white, oblong, scored, capsule-shaped, marked FEL/20 on one side and plain on the other. (Aust R 37312)

A box contains 25 tablets.

Who distributes FELDENE

Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd

Sydney NSW

Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229

www.pfizermedinfo.com.au  

This leaflet was prepared in January 2022.

® Registered Trademark