Objective      To study the pharmacokinetics of piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes in Beagle dogs.       Methods      An open randomized two-period crossover self-control trial was conducted in 6 Beagle dogs. Piroxicam in the plasma was assayed by HPLC after a single oral dose of 20 mg piroxicam in test complexes (capsules) and reference tablets. The serum concentration-time data were analyzed by non-compartmental model.       Results      The t

max

of the capsules and the tablets wer

e 0.89±0.09 and 3.92±0.49 h

respectively

with the former significantly shorter than the latter. The t

1/2

were 31.30±4.38 and 29.38±1.83 h

respectively. The AUC were 242.92±30.04 and 230.55±8.06  g/(h·ml). The C

max

were 7.82±0.44 and 7.49±0.36  g/ml. The Cl were 80.92±10.65 and 85.27±2.95 ml/h. The V

d

were 3.36±0.51 and 3.22±0.19 L

respectively. These above indexes had no significant difference between 2 groups. The relative bioavailability of capsules was 106.74% compared to that of tablets.       Conclusion      The established HPLC method is accurate and reliable. Though the 2 two piroxicam agent are bioequivalent

the capsules of inclusion complexes significantly accelerate the dissolution and absorption rate.