Ketoprofen
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Pregnancy: avoid
Avoid from week 20: from about 20 weeks NSAIDs can reduce amniotic fluid through their effect on the fetal kidney, and from about 30 weeks they can close the fetal ductus…
A short-acting propionic acid NSAID, like ibuprofen, for arthritis, pain and dysmenorrhoea. Probenecid sharply slows its clearance.
Quick facts
- Group
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Target
- Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1/COX-2)
- Used for
- Rheumatoid arthritis · Osteoarthritis
- Key effects
- Dyspepsia · Nausea · Headache
- Monitor
- Blood pressure · Signs of gastrointestinal bleeding
- ATC
- M01AE03
No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.
Mechanism of action
The figure shows ibuprofen, another propionic acid NSAID, in the channel of mouse COX-2; ketoprofen occupies the same site.
Ketoprofen inhibits cyclooxygenase and so prostaglandin synthesis; it also reduces leukotriene synthesis. It is a racemate in which only the S-enantiomer is active.
- S-ketoprofen inhibits COX-1 and COX-2
- Fewer prostaglandins in tissue and uterus
- Less pain, fever and inflammation
Indications
- Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis →
- Osteoarthritis Knee Osteoarthritis →
- Primary dysmenorrhoea Dysmenorrhoea →
- Mild to moderate pain
Adverse effects
Common
- Dyspepsia (most common)
- Nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea or constipation
- Headache, dizziness and drowsiness
- Tinnitus and visual disturbance
Contraindications
- Asthma, hives or allergic-type reactions after aspirin or another NSAID
- Pain around coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
- Previous serious skin reaction to an NSAID
Key interactions
- Probenecid
- Clearance falls to about a third; not recommended
- Warfarin, antiplatelets, SSRIs and SNRIs
- More bleeding, mainly in the gut
- Lithium and methotrexate
- Higher levels and toxicity of lithium or methotrexate
- Aspirin
- More free ketoprofen and more adverse effects; not recommended
What is monitored
- Blood pressure, swelling and signs of heart failure
- Signs of gastrointestinal bleeding (black stools, vomiting blood, anaemia)
- Kidney function, potassium, liver tests and blood count in long-term use
Administration and safety
- Given by mouth at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time
- Not recommended in advanced kidney disease
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Avoid from week 20: from about 20 weeks NSAIDs can reduce amniotic fluid through their effect on the fetal kidney, and from about 30 weeks they can close the fetal ductus arteriosus too early.
Nursing care
- Ask about ulcers, bleeding, kidney or heart disease and aspirin-sensitive asthma before the first dose
- Check blood pressure and fluid status during treatment
- Teach to report black stools, vomiting blood, chest pain, weakness on one side or rash
- Teach to avoid taking another NSAID at the same time, including over-the-counter ones
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Rapid, about 90% bioavailable; food slows it without lowering the total
- Distribution
- More than 99% bound to albumin
- Metabolism
- Glucuronidation to an unstable acyl-glucuronide that can revert to the drug
- Half-life
- Short, about 2 hours
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
To which NSAID chemical group does ketoprofen belong?
The propionic acids, with ibuprofen and naproxen.
Which drug cuts ketoprofen clearance to about a third?
Probenecid.
Which enantiomer of ketoprofen is active?
The S-enantiomer.
Connections
← Back to the class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: DailyMed - KETOPROFEN capsule (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).
Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake
Representative model, for educational purposes only.