Ketoprofen
Encyclopedia
Ketoprofen, 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)-propionic acid (chemical formula C16H14O3) is one of the propionic acid
class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic
and antipyretic
effects. It acts by inhibiting the body's production of prostaglandin
.
in the United States in the form of 12.5 mg coated tablets (Orudis KT & Actron), but this form has been discontinued. It is available by prescription
as 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 mg capsules.
Ketoprofen is available also as a 2.5% gel
for topical
application.
Brand names in the US
are Orudis and Oruvail. It is available in the UK
as Ketoflam and Oruvail, in Finland
as Ketorin, Keto, Ketomex, and Orudis'; in France
as Profénid, Bi-Profénid and Ketum, in Italy
as Ketodol, Fastum Gel, Lasonil, Orudis or Oki, in Poland
, Serbia
, Slovenia
and Croatia
as Knavon or Ketonal, in Mexico
as Arthril, in Norway
as Zon or Orudis, in Russia
as ОКИ (OKI) and Ketonal, in Spain as Actron and in Venezuela
as Ketoprofeno under an injectable solution of 100 mg and 150 mg capsules.
In Lithuania, ketoprofen is called Ketoprofenum and/or Ketoprofenas. For topical application: the name brands are Fastum with 2.5% (gel) which is over the counter and Ketospray with 10% (liquid spray) which must be prescribed.
In Switzerland, an innovative ketoprofen formulation based on Transfersome
technology for direct application on the skin above the site to be treated has been approved.
In some countries, the optically pure (S)-enantiomer (dexketoprofen) is available; its trometamol
salt is said to be particularly rapidly reabsorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, having a rapid onset of effects.
Ketoprofen topical patches are being extensively used for treatment of musculoskeletal pain. The patches have been shown to provide rapid and sustained delivery to underlying tissues without significantly increasing levels of drug concentration in the blood when compared to the traditional oral administration. Ketoprofen undergoes metabolism in the liver via conjugation with glucoronic acid, CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 hydroxylation of the benzoyl ring, and reduction of its keto function. Ketoprofen is used for its antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes reversibly, which decreases production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandin precursors.
Ketoprofen can also be used for treatment of some pain, especially nerve pain like sciatica
, post-herpetic neuralgia and referred pain
for radiculopathy
, in the form of a cream, ointment, liquid, spray, or gel which also contains ketamine
and lidocaine
, along with other agents which may be useful such as cyclobenzaprine
, amitryptiline, acyclovir, gabapentin
, orphenadrine
and other drugs used as NSAIDs or adjuvant, atypical or potentiators for pain treatment.
& related modalities, nutritional approaches and many others relevant to each case. Even the addition of the opioid tramadol
to topical preparations is not known to be an adequate replacement for systemic opioids in cases where they can be useful and efficacious.
, and analgesic
used in horses and other equines. It is also used as a mild painkiller in smaller animals, generally following surgical procedures. It is most commonly used for musculoskeletal pain, joint problems, and soft tissue injury, as well as laminitis
. It does not treat the underlying problem, nor does it speed the healing process. It is also used to control fevers and prevent endotoxemia. However, they may mask the symptoms of the underlying problem, and therefore make diagnosis more difficult for a veterinarian.
, sucralfate
, and cimetidine
to help protect the GI tract.
It is also available as a capsule dosage form and a tablet.
is a veterinary drug causing lethal effects in Red-headed Vulture
s. Vultures feeding on the carcasses of recently-treated livestock suffer acute kidney failure within days of exposure.
According to research, the vulture population has undergone a sharp decline on the Indian subcontinent, 95% decline in 2004, 99.9% decline as of 2008 due to the use of Diclofenac in animals.
The loss of vultures has had a social impact on the Indian Zoroastrian Parsi
community, who traditionally use vultures to dispose of human corpses in a Tower of Silence, but are now compelled to seek alternate methods of disposal.
Propionic acid
Propanoic acid is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3CH2COOH. It is a clear liquid with a pungent odor...
class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
and antipyretic
Antipyretic
Antipyretics ; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, are drugs or herbs that reduce fever. Normally, they will not lower body temperature if one does not have a fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature...
effects. It acts by inhibiting the body's production of prostaglandin
Prostaglandin
A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring....
.
Available forms
Ketoprofen was available over-the-counterOver-the-counter drug
Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...
in the United States in the form of 12.5 mg coated tablets (Orudis KT & Actron), but this form has been discontinued. It is available by prescription
Medical prescription
A prescription is a health-care program implemented by a physician or other medical practitioner in the form of instructions that govern the plan of care for an individual patient. Prescriptions may include orders to be performed by a patient, caretaker, nurse, pharmacist or other therapist....
as 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 mg capsules.
Ketoprofen is available also as a 2.5% gel
Gel
A gel is a solid, jelly-like material that can have properties ranging from soft and weak to hard and tough. Gels are defined as a substantially dilute cross-linked system, which exhibits no flow when in the steady-state...
for topical
Topical
In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes such as the vagina, anus, throat, eyes and ears.Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin...
application.
Brand names in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
are Orudis and Oruvail. It is available in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as Ketoflam and Oruvail, in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
as Ketorin, Keto, Ketomex, and Orudis'; in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
as Profénid, Bi-Profénid and Ketum, in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
as Ketodol, Fastum Gel, Lasonil, Orudis or Oki, in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
as Knavon or Ketonal, in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
as Arthril, in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
as Zon or Orudis, in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
as ОКИ (OKI) and Ketonal, in Spain as Actron and in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
as Ketoprofeno under an injectable solution of 100 mg and 150 mg capsules.
In Lithuania, ketoprofen is called Ketoprofenum and/or Ketoprofenas. For topical application: the name brands are Fastum with 2.5% (gel) which is over the counter and Ketospray with 10% (liquid spray) which must be prescribed.
In Switzerland, an innovative ketoprofen formulation based on Transfersome
Transfersome
Transfersome is a term registered as a trademark by the German company IDEA AG, and used by it to refer to its proprietary drug delivery technology. The name means “carrying body”, and is derived from the Latin word 'transferre', meaning ‘to carry across’, and the Greek word ‘soma’, for a ‘body’...
technology for direct application on the skin above the site to be treated has been approved.
In some countries, the optically pure (S)-enantiomer (dexketoprofen) is available; its trometamol
Tris
Tris is an abbreviation of the organic compound known as trisaminomethane, with the formula 3CNH2. Tris is extensively used in biochemistry and molecular biology. In biochemistry, tris is widely used as a component of buffer solutions, such as in TAE and TBE buffer, especially for solutions of...
salt is said to be particularly rapidly reabsorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, having a rapid onset of effects.
Indication
Ketoprofen is generally prescribed for arthritis-related inflammatory pains or severe toothaches that result in the inflammation of the gums.Ketoprofen topical patches are being extensively used for treatment of musculoskeletal pain. The patches have been shown to provide rapid and sustained delivery to underlying tissues without significantly increasing levels of drug concentration in the blood when compared to the traditional oral administration. Ketoprofen undergoes metabolism in the liver via conjugation with glucoronic acid, CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 hydroxylation of the benzoyl ring, and reduction of its keto function. Ketoprofen is used for its antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes reversibly, which decreases production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandin precursors.
Ketoprofen can also be used for treatment of some pain, especially nerve pain like sciatica
Sciatica
Sciatica is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, or...
, post-herpetic neuralgia and referred pain
Referred pain
Referred pain is pain perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus. An example is the case of ischemia brought on by a myocardial infarction , where pain is often felt in the neck, shoulders, and back rather than in the chest, the site of the injury...
for radiculopathy
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is not a specific condition, but rather a description of a problem in which one or more nerves are affected and do not work properly . The emphasis is on the nerve root...
, in the form of a cream, ointment, liquid, spray, or gel which also contains ketamine
Ketamine
Ketamine is a drug used in human and veterinary medicine. Its hydrochloride salt is sold as Ketanest, Ketaset, and Ketalar. Pharmacologically, ketamine is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist...
and lidocaine
Lidocaine
Lidocaine , Xylocaine, or lignocaine is a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. Lidocaine is used topically to relieve itching, burning and pain from skin inflammations, injected as a dental anesthetic or as a local anesthetic for minor surgery.- History :Lidocaine, the first amino...
, along with other agents which may be useful such as cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant medication used to relieve skeletal muscle spasms and associated pain in acute musculoskeletal conditions. It is the most well-studied drug for this application, and it also has been used off-label for fibromyalgia treatment.- Mechanism of action :The mechanism...
, amitryptiline, acyclovir, gabapentin
Gabapentin
Gabapentin is a pharmaceutical drug, specifically a GABA analogue. It was originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy, and currently is also used to relieve neuropathic pain...
, orphenadrine
Orphenadrine
Orphenadrine is an anticholinergic drug of the ethanolamine antihistamine class with prominent CNS and peripheral actions used to treat painful muscle spasms, other similar conditions, as well as the treatment...
and other drugs used as NSAIDs or adjuvant, atypical or potentiators for pain treatment.
Efficacy
The results vary in each case, with varying degrees of the attenuation of the burning, tingling, and/or shooting component of neuralgic pain being quite frequent, along with a modest reduction in overall pain level in some cases. In severe cases and those involving multiple conditions in addition to the cause of the neuralgia, there is no substitute for comprehensive palliative therapy including systemic NSAIDs, opioids, muscle relaxants, intermittent corticosteroids and other agents if needed and adjuncts & potentiators to increase the power of the analgesics in addition to the topical preparation and physical and alternative modalities such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, biofeedbackBiofeedback
Biofeedback is the process of becoming aware of various physiological functions using instruments that provide information on the activity of those same systems, with a goal of being able to manipulate them at will...
& related modalities, nutritional approaches and many others relevant to each case. Even the addition of the opioid tramadol
Tramadol
Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic used in treating moderate pain. The drug has a wide range of applications, including treatment for restless legs syndrome and fibromyalgia...
to topical preparations is not known to be an adequate replacement for systemic opioids in cases where they can be useful and efficacious.
Use in horses and other animals
Ketoprofen is a common NSAID, antipyreticAntipyretic
Antipyretics ; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, are drugs or herbs that reduce fever. Normally, they will not lower body temperature if one does not have a fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature...
, and analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
used in horses and other equines. It is also used as a mild painkiller in smaller animals, generally following surgical procedures. It is most commonly used for musculoskeletal pain, joint problems, and soft tissue injury, as well as laminitis
Laminitis
Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates. It is best known in horses and cattle. Symptoms include lameness, and increased temperature in the hooves...
. It does not treat the underlying problem, nor does it speed the healing process. It is also used to control fevers and prevent endotoxemia. However, they may mask the symptoms of the underlying problem, and therefore make diagnosis more difficult for a veterinarian.
Uses with other drugs
Ketoprofen should not be used in with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids, as this increases the risk of GI ulceration. It should also be used with caution with other anticoagulants. It is commonly used with omeprazoleOmeprazole
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used in the treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease , gastroesophageal reflux disease , laryngopharyngeal reflux and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome...
, sucralfate
Sucralfate
Sucralfate is a cytoprotective agent, an oral gastrointestinal medication primarily indicated for the treatment of active duodenal ulcers. Brand names include Sucramal in Italy; Carafate in U.S.A.; Pepsigard, Sucral, Sucrafil, Hapifate in India; Sutra or Musin in parts of South-East Asia; Sulcrate...
, and cimetidine
Cimetidine
Cimetidine INN is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist that inhibits the production of acid in the stomach. It is largely used in the treatment of heartburn and peptic ulcers. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline under the trade name Tagamet...
to help protect the GI tract.
Administration
Ketoprofen, when administered intravenously, is recommended for a maximum of five days of use. Its analgesic and antipyretic effects begin to occur 1–2 hours following administration. The most common dosage is 1 mg/ lb, once per day, although this dosage may be lowered for ponies, who are most susceptible to NSAID side effects.It is also available as a capsule dosage form and a tablet.
Ecological problems
Recent studies have found that Ketoprofen, like DiclofenacDiclofenac
Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug taken to reduce inflammation and as an analgesic reducing pain in certain conditions....
is a veterinary drug causing lethal effects in Red-headed Vulture
Red-headed Vulture
The Red-headed Vulture , also known as the Asian King Vulture, Indian Black Vulture or Pondicherry Vulture,-Description:...
s. Vultures feeding on the carcasses of recently-treated livestock suffer acute kidney failure within days of exposure.
According to research, the vulture population has undergone a sharp decline on the Indian subcontinent, 95% decline in 2004, 99.9% decline as of 2008 due to the use of Diclofenac in animals.
The loss of vultures has had a social impact on the Indian Zoroastrian Parsi
Parsi
Parsi or Parsee refers to a member of the larger of the two Zoroastrian communities in South Asia, the other being the Irani community....
community, who traditionally use vultures to dispose of human corpses in a Tower of Silence, but are now compelled to seek alternate methods of disposal.