Although the analgesic properties of piroxicam in the postoperative setting have been well documented, the relatively slow onset of action of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has somewhat limited its usefulness in this setting. To counter this disadvantage, piroxicam has been complexed with the cyclic oligosaccharide β-cyclodextrin, to form piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin. This new compound enhances the aqueous solubility of piroxicam, increases its rate of absorption, and results in more rapid achievement of therapeutic levels than occurs with standard piroxicam. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that theonset,intensityanddurationofanalgesiaprovidedbyoralpiroxicam-β-cyclodextrin in postoperative settings are equivalent, and in some cases superior, to those achieved following injection of NSAIDs such as standard piroxicam, tenoxicam and ketorolac tromethamine. Oral piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin therapy, which is also well tolerated, more convenient for patients, and less costly to administer, thus appears to have clear advantages in the postoperative setting.