Disposition of ampiroxicam, a prodrug of piroxicam, in man

Abstract

1. Ampiroxicam, a prodrug of the effective anti-inflammatory agent piroxicam, was completely converted to piroxicam after oral administration to man.

2. At clinical doses there was no detectable portal or systemic exposure of man to ampiroxicam, indicating that conversion to piroxicam was complete during the absorption process.

3. The pharmacokinetics of piroxicam from ampiroxicam were esssentially the same as those after piroxicam itself except that C_max was slightly lower and t_max was slightly longer after administration of ampiroxicam.