Lornoxicam is a strong anti-inflammatory painkiller used for acute pain — after surgery or dental work, for acute back and musculoskeletal pain, and for arthritis. It comes as 4 mg and 8 mg tablets, a rapid-onset tablet, and an injection. It is potent, short-acting and intended for short courses.
What is Lornoxicam?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists lornoxicam under several names, all Schedule 3:
| Product | Form | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Xefo | Tablet | 4 mg, 8 mg |
| Xefo Rapid | Tablet | 8 mg |
| Xefo 8 IV/IM | Injection | 8 mg / 2 ml |
| Lornbloc | Film-coated tablet | 4 mg, 8 mg |
| Lievocam | Film-coated tablet | 8 mg |
Lornoxicam is an NSAID of the oxicam family — the same chemical group as piroxicam — and it blocks the cyclo-oxygenase enzymes that produce prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling and fever.
What separates it from its relatives is duration. Piroxicam lasts around 50 hours; lornoxicam is cleared in about three to five hours. That short half-life is deliberate and it is the medicine’s main advantage: it delivers strong anti-inflammatory pain relief without the drug accumulating in the body, which is what drives the risks of the long-acting oxicams.
The trade-off is that it must be taken more often, and the effect does not carry through the night from a morning dose.
Xefo Rapid is formulated for faster absorption, giving pain relief in roughly 30 minutes rather than an hour or more. It is intended for acute pain where speed matters — after dental surgery, for instance — not for routine daily use.
The injection is used in hospital and clinic settings, typically around surgery.
What is Lornoxicam commonly used for?
- Acute post-operative pain, including after dental extraction and minor surgery.
- Acute low back pain and musculoskeletal pain.
- Sciatica and acute nerve-root pain, for the inflammatory component.
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, for symptomatic relief.
- Acute painful conditions where a strong oral anti-inflammatory is appropriate.
- Reducing opioid requirements after surgery, which is a genuine benefit — less opioid means less sedation, less constipation and less dependence risk.
It is designed for short courses. Its role is getting someone through a painful few days, and the shorter half-life makes that safer than using a long-acting NSAID for the same purpose.
Use the lowest dose for the shortest time. That is standard NSAID advice and it applies fully here — lornoxicam’s shorter duration reduces accumulation, but every NSAID risk still applies while you are taking it.
Persistent pain needs a diagnosis, not an ongoing prescription. Pain lasting more than a few days, waking you at night, or coming with fever, weight loss or numbness needs assessment.
How Lornoxicam fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oxicam NSAIDs, short-acting | Lornoxicam (Xefo, Lornbloc) | Strong; cleared in hours; short courses |
| Oxicam NSAIDs, long-acting | Piroxicam, meloxicam | Once daily; piroxicam restricted for higher risk |
| Standard NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen | First-line for most pain |
| COX-2 selective | Celecoxib, etoricoxib | Gentler on the stomach; cardiovascular caution |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Gentlest; no anti-inflammatory effect |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, in courses |
| Opioids | Tramadol, morphine | Severe pain; dependence risk |
Paracetamol and an NSAID work by different mechanisms and are often combined for better relief than either alone. See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Lornoxicam
Check every other product for an anti-inflammatory. Combination painkillers and cold remedies frequently contain ibuprofen, and doubling up substantially raises the risk of stomach bleeding.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Have or have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis or bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease.
- Have asthma, especially if aspirin or NSAIDs have triggered symptoms.
- Have heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or a history of stroke.
- Have kidney or liver disease.
- Have a bleeding disorder, or are due for surgery — NSAIDs affect platelets.
- Take blood thinners, aspirin, another NSAID, steroids, SSRIs, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics or ACE inhibitors.
- Are pregnant. NSAIDs are avoided, particularly from 20 weeks. Tell your doctor if trying to conceive, as NSAIDs can interfere with ovulation.
- Are breastfeeding, or over 65, where stomach and kidney risks rise.
- Are dehydrated, or have a vomiting or diarrhoea illness — NSAIDs and dehydration together are hard on the kidneys.
Practical points: take it with or after food, with a full glass of water; do not exceed the prescribed dose; do not combine two NSAIDs; stay well hydrated; and do not take it for more than a few days for acute pain without advice.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are indigestion, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, headache and dizziness.
Get emergency help for:
- Vomiting blood, or material like coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry stools, or severe stomach pain.
- Chest pain, breathlessness, or signs of a stroke — sudden weakness, facial droop, slurred speech or a severe unusual headache.
- Sudden worsening of asthma or wheezing.
- A rash with blistering or peeling, or sores in the mouth or eyes — serious skin reactions are rare but have been reported with oxicam NSAIDs. Stop the medicine.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
Contact your doctor if:
- Pain is not controlled, or persists beyond a few days.
- You develop swollen ankles, reduced urine output or unexplained tiredness.
- Indigestion persists on it — you may need stomach protection or a different painkiller.
- You develop yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- You need an anti-inflammatory regularly for ongoing pain — that needs a plan rather than repeat prescriptions.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is lornoxicam used for? Acute pain — after surgery or dental work, acute back and musculoskeletal pain, sciatica — and symptomatic relief in arthritis.
How is it different from piroxicam? Both are oxicam NSAIDs, but lornoxicam is cleared in hours where piroxicam lasts around 50 hours. The shorter duration means less accumulation and a better safety profile for short courses.
What is Xefo Rapid? A faster-absorbing formulation giving pain relief in roughly 30 minutes, intended for acute pain where speed matters.
Is it stronger than ibuprofen? It is a potent anti-inflammatory, and doses are not directly comparable. Whether it is the right choice depends on the pain and your risk factors, not on strength alone.
Can I take paracetamol with it? Usually yes — they work differently and combine well. Check that no other product you take contains an NSAID.
How long can I take it? Short courses for acute pain. Longer use should be a doctor’s decision with regular review.
Can I take it with asthma? Ask first. A proportion of people with asthma react badly to NSAIDs.
Should I take it with food? Yes. Food reduces stomach irritation.