Piroxicam is a monocarboxylic acid amide resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy group of 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid 1,1-dioxide with the exocyclic nitrogen of 2-aminopyridine. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the oxicam class, it is used to relieve pain and works by preventing the production of endogenous prostaglandins involved in the mediation of pain, stiffness, tenderness and swelling. It has a role as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an analgesic, an EC 1.14.99.1 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase) inhibitor, an antirheumatic drug and a cyclooxygenase 1 inhibitor. It is a member of pyridines, a monocarboxylic acid amide and a benzothiazine.
