Formulary
Ketoprofen: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ketoprofen clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 4 min read
Ketoprofen: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ketoprofen clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Pain and mild inflammation in rheumatic disease and musculoskeletal conditions,Dysmenorrhoea,Acute gout**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 100-200 mg once daily.
**Relief of pain in rheumatic disease and musculoskeletal conditions**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 2-4 times a day for up to 7 days, ketoprofen 2.5% gel to be administered; maximum 15 g per day.
**Relief of pain in musculoskeletal conditions,Adjunctive treatment in knee or hand osteoarthritis**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 2-3 times a day for up to max. 10 days.
Cautions
With systemic use Allergic disorders; cardiac impairment (NSAIDs may impair renal function); cerebrovascular disease; connective-tissue disorders; dehydration (risk of renal impairment); elderly (risk of serious side-effects and fatalities); heart failure; history of gastro-intestinal disorders (e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease); ischaemic heart disease; may mask symptoms of infection; peripheral arterial disease; risk factors for cardiovascular events; uncontrolled hypertension With topical use Avoid contact with eyes; avoid contact with inflamed or broken skin; avoid contact with mucous membranes; not for use with occlusive dressings; topical application of large amounts can result in systemic effects, including hypersensitivity and asthma (renal disease has also been reported) Cautions, further information Masking of symptoms of underlying infections With systemic use: Ketoprofen can mask symptoms of infection, which may lead to delayed initiation of appropriate treatment and thereby worsen infection outcome. This has been observed in bacterial community-acquired pneumonia and bacterial complications to varicella. When administered for fever or pain relief in relation to infection, monitoring of infection is advised.
Contraindications
With systemic use Active gastro-intestinal bleeding; active gastro-intestinal ulceration; coagulation disorders; history of gastro-intestinal bleeding; history of gastro-intestinal perforation; history of gastro-intestinal ulceration; severe heart failure
Side effects
General side-effects: Uncommon Diarrhoea; paraesthesia; skin reactions Rare or very rare Hypersensitivity; photosensitivity reaction; renal impairment Frequency not known Angioedema Specific side-effects: Common or very common With oral use Gastrointestinal discomfort; nausea; vomiting Uncommon With oral use Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; gastrointestinal disorders; headache; oedema; rash (discontinue) With topical use Increased risk of infection Rare or very rare With oral use Asthma; haemorrhagic anaemia; hepatic disorders; pancreatitis; shock; stomatitis; tinnitus; vision disorders; weight increased Frequency not known With oral use Acute kidney injury (more common in patients with pre-existing renal impairment); agranulocytosis; alopecia; appetite decreased; bone marrow failure; bronchospasm; confusion; Crohn's disease aggravated; depression; dyspnoea; fertility decreased female; haemorrhage; hallucination; hearing impairment; heart failure; hypertension; increased risk of arterial thromboembolism; increased risk of ischaemic stroke; increased risk of myocardial infarction; malaise; meningitis aseptic (patients with connective-tissue disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus may be especially susceptible); menometrorrhagia; mood altered; nephritic syndrome; nephritis tubulointerstitial; nephrotic syndrome; neutropenia; optic neuritis; rhinitis; seizure; severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); taste altered; thrombocytopenia; vasodilation; vertigo With topical use Eosinophilia; eyelid oedema; fever; gastrointestinal haemorrhage; lip swelling; peptic ulcer; vasculitis; wound complications Side-effects, further information Topical application of large amounts can result in systemic effects, including hypersensitivity and asthma (renal disease has also been reported). For information about cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side-effects, and a possible exacerbation of symptoms in asthma, see Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Interactions
**Severe interactions:**
- Serious interactions have been recorded after the use of high dose methotrexate with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, including ketoprofen, when administered by the systemic route.
**Other interactions (1):**
- However concurrent aspirin or other NSAIDs may result in increased incidence of adverse reaction.
Pregnancy
Important safety information For ketoprofen MHRA/CHM advice: NSAIDs: potential risks following prolonged use after 20 weeks of pregnancy (June 2023) With systemic use: See Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
Breast feeding
With systemic use: Use with caution during breast-feeding. Amount probably too small to be harmful but manufacturers advise avoid. With topical use: Patient packs for topical preparations carry a warning to avoid during breast-feeding.
Hepatic impairment
With systemic use: Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment; avoid in severe impairment. With topical use: Manufacturer advises caution.
Renal impairment
With systemic use: In general, for NSAIDs the MHRA advises to avoid where possible; if necessary, use with caution (risk of fluid retention and further renal impairment, including renal failure). For ketoprofen , avoid in severe renal insufficiency. M With topical use: Caution (deterioration in renal function has also been reported after topical use). M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Ketoprofen in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary