Clinical pharmacokinetics of lornoxicam. A short half-life oxicam

Abstract

Lornoxicam (chlorotenoxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class. Unlike other oxicams, lornoxicam has a relatively short plasma half-life (3 to 5 hours). Lornoxicam is eliminated following biotransformation to 5'-hydroxy-lornoxicam, which does not undergo enterohepatic recirculation. Glucoroconjugated metabolites are excreted in urine and faeces with a half-life of about 11 hours. Lornoxicam and its metabolites bind extensively to plasma albumin. Substantial concentrations of lornoxicam are attained in synovial fluid, the proposed site of action in chronic inflammatory arthropathies. The effects of lornoxicam concentration on its therapeutic and toxicological properties have not yet been extensively reported. Lornoxicam, like other NSAIDs, appears to interact with warfarin, sulphonylureas, digoxin and furosemide.