Dexketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs or NAIDs, but also referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents/analgesics or nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory medicines , are drugs with analgesic and antipyretic effects and which have, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory...

. It is manufactured by Menarini

Menarini

The Menarini Group is an Italian pharmaceutical company. It was founded in Naples, Italy, in 1886, and has three divisions: Menarini Ricerche, Menarini Biotech and Menarini Diagnostics. It is committed to the search for pharmacological solutions for such therapeutic areas as cardiovascular...

, under the tradename Keral. It is available in the UK, as dexketoprofen trometamol, as a prescription-only drug and in Latin America as Miracox, produced by Stein in Costa Rica.

How it works

Dexketoprofen belongs to a class of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase. Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of chemicals in the body called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury or certain diseases and would otherwise go on to cause swelling, inflammation and pain. By blocking cyclo-oxygenase, dexketoprofen prevents the production of prostaglandins and therefore reduces inflammation and pain. Along with Peripheral analgesic action it possesses central analgesic action.

Warning

1. This medicine may cause dizziness and so may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
2. For fast relief of pain, take at least 30 minutes before food, as food delays the absorption of this medicine from the gut.
3. This medicine is not for long term use

Use with caution in:

1. Decreased heart function
2. Disorders involving the formation of blood cells (haematopoietic disorders)
3. Elderly people
4. Excess retention of water in the body tissues (fluid retention)
5. History of allergies
6. Long-term inflammation of skin and some internal organs (systemic lupus erythematosus)
7. Low volume of circulating blood (hypovolaemia)
8. Mild to moderately decreased liver function
9. Mildly decreased kidney function
10. Syndrome with symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus
    Systemic lupus erythematosus
    Systemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
    
    , scleroderma
    Scleroderma
    Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease or systemic connective tissue disease that is a subtype of scleroderma.-Skin symptoms:...
    
    , polymyositis
    Polymyositis
    Polymyositis is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis.-Signs and symptoms:...
    
    , and Raynaud's phenomenon
    Raynaud's phenomenon
    In medicine, Raynaud's phenomenon is a vasospastic disorder causing discoloration of the fingers, toes, and occasionally other areas. This condition can also cause nails to become brittle with longitudinal ridges. Named for French physician Maurice Raynaud , the phenomenon is believed to be the...
    
     (mixed connective tissue disease)

Not to be used in:

1. Active bleeding
2. Allergy to any of its ingredients
3. Allergy to aspirin
   Aspirin
   Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
   
    or other medicines in this class
4. Asthma or history of asthma
5. Bleeding disorders
6. Bleeding from the stomach or intestines
7. Breastfeeding
8. Children
9. Crohn's disease
   Crohn's disease
   Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
   
   
10. History of stomach or duodenal ulcers or indigestion
11. Inflammation of the bowel and back passage
12. Inherited tendency to bleed (haemorrhagic diathesis)
13. Moderate to severely decreased kidney function
14. Peptic ulcers
15. Pregnancy
16. Severe heart failure
17. Severely decreased liver function

Label warnings

1. Take this medication half to one hour before eating in order to facilitate quick absorption in case of acute pain. As a precautionary measure, it is advised to take dexketoprofen during meals at a interval of 8 hours.

Dose

In the USA:
Adult: 12.5mg every 4-6 hours, or 25mg every 8 hours; max 75mg daily. Elderly: initially max 50mg daily. Child: not recommended.

In Europe:
As prescribed, the dosage is variable being consistent with the nature, severity and duration of the pain episode. Currently the prescribed amount is 25mg every 8 hours, although the daily dosage should not exceed 75mg. In elederly pacients, light to moderate liver and renal failure, the maximum dosage is set at a maximum of 50mg/24h. Dexketoprofen is currently not prescribed to children under the age of 18.

Citations

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/healthfitness/health_advice/netdoctor/archive/100003529.html