What should I know about piroxicam before taking it?

Piroxicam is a prescription medication that treats symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is not a cure, and only works as long as you take the medication. Piroxicam increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke and can complicate existing heart disease. This risk increases the longer you take piroxicam. You should not use piroxicam immediately before or after heart bypass surgery. Piroxicam also increases the risk, especially in older adults, for bleeding and sometimes fatal stomach ulcers. Piroxicam can interfere with ovulation in women, possibly causing temporary infertility. Normal fertility returns after the medication is stopped, but if you're having difficulty getting pregnany, ask your doctor if you should stop piroxicam. You should tell your doctor before taking piroxicam if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, swelling or fluid buildup, asthma, nasal polyps, mouth inflammation and alcohol abuse. Piroxicam can interact with some medications and should not be taken in conjunction with ketorolac or pentoxifylline.