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What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Lithium and piroxicam

Piroxicam's FDA label of August 19, 2026 names lithium in its drug interactions section; lithium's label does not name piroxicam itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The piroxicam label: “NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. …”

Check it at the source: the lithium FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 23, 2025, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA); the piroxicam FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.).

What does the lithium label say about piroxicam?

Lithium's label does not name piroxicam itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):

Lithium label, drug interactions

Diuretics, NSAID, renin-angiotensin system antagonists, or metronidazole may increase lithium serum concentrations.

Lithium label, drug interactions

Reduce lithium dosage based on serum lithium concentration and clinical response [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warning and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)

Source: FDA drug label (Lithium Carbonate), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA, effective December 23, 2025 (SPL set 63b3790f-a9b5-47f4-bae1-ddf8b43c13c1), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

What does the piroxicam label say about lithium?

Piroxicam label, drug interactions

Clinical Impact: NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. This effect has been attributed to NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of piroxicam and lithium, monitor patients for signs of lithium toxicity.

Source: FDA drug label (Piroxicam), Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., effective August 19, 2026 (SPL set f1123fe1-b79c-430b-8548-08cd6e518482), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.

Both medicines on the record

24Lithium generic labelers
10Piroxicam generic labelers
LithiumPiroxicam
Labeled forBipolar disorderOsteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis
Boxed warningYesYes
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)$0.104 per capsule 300 mg capsule$0.215 per capsule 20 mg capsule
Shortage nowNo current entryNo current entry

Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

What next?