Oxicam is a class ofnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),[2] meaning that they haveanti-inflammatory,analgesic, and antipyretic therapeutic effects. Oxicams bind closely toplasma proteins.[1] Most oxicams are unselective inhibitors of thecyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. The exception ismeloxicam with a slight (10:1) preference forCOX-2, which, however, is only clinically relevant at low doses.[3]
The most popular drug of the oxicam class ispiroxicam.[1] Other examples include:ampiroxicam,droxicam,pivoxicam,tenoxicam,lornoxicam,[1] andmeloxicam.
Isoxicam has been suspended as a result of fatal skin reactions.[1]
The physico-chemical characteristics of these molecules vary greatly depending upon the environment.[4]
In contrast to most other NSAIDs, oxicams are notcarboxylic acids. They aretautomeric, and can exist as a number of tautomers (keto-enol tautomerism), here exemplified by piroxicam:[2]
 | This sectionhas nomedical references forverification or relies exclusively on non-medical sources. Please review the contents of the section andadd the appropriate references if you can. Unsourced or poorly sourced material may be challenged andremoved.(February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The oxicams are associated with drug-relatederythema multiforme (EM),Stevens–Johnson syndrome, andtoxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). This association is one of the reasons oxicams are not regularly prescribed.
| pyrazolones / pyrazolidines | |
|---|---|
| salicylates | |
| acetic acid derivatives and related substances | |
| oxicams | |
| propionic acid derivatives (profens) |
|
| n-arylanthranilic acids (fenamates) | |
| COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) | |
| other | |
| NSAID combinations | |
Key:underline indicates initially developed first-in-class compound of specific group;#WHO-Essential Medicines;†withdrawn drugs;‡veterinary use. | |
 | Thisdrug article relating to themusculoskeletal system is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
