[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs/) › Ketoprofen

# 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.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs/)

**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.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Clinical What the labels mean

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

✂**Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1/COX-2)**Ketoprofen

ⓘ The figure shows ibuprofen, another propionic acid NSAID, in the channel of mouse COX-2; ketoprofen occupies the same site.

**Target in 3D:** Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1/COX-2). PDB structure 4PH9 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/4PH9) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

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 →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/)
- Osteoarthritis [Knee Osteoarthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/knee-osteoarthritis/)
- Primary dysmenorrhoea [Dysmenorrhoea →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/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

### Serious (rare, important)

- Heart attack and stroke (boxed warning of all NSAIDs)
- Bleeding, ulcer or perforation of the stomach or bowel, sometimes without warning
- Kidney injury and high potassium; worse heart failure and blood pressure
- Severe skin reactions and DRESS

## 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

## Memory aid

Ketoprofen: «KEep PRObenecid away» – a propionic acid like ibuprofen; probenecid triples its levels.

## 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.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ketoprofen/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## What the labels mean

**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…

## Connections

## Related drugs 4

- [Ibuprofen](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ibuprofen/)
- [Naproxen](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/naproxen/)
- [Diclofenac](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/diclofenac/)
- [Mefenamic acid](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/mefenamic-acid/)

## Related conditions 3

- [Rheumatoid arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/)
- [Knee Osteoarthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/knee-osteoarthritis/)
- [Dysmenorrhoea](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/dysmenorrhoea/)

[← Back to the class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs/)

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](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4e7bceb6-dcb5-c5e0-e063-6294a90a101e) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=M01AE03) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ketoprofen/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ketoprofen/