Ketoprofen

Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (nsaid) medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, side effects and precautions — and every brand with its current price.

Ketoprofen is prescribed for painful and inflammatory conditions of the joints, muscles and bones, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory back stiffness)
• Acute gout attacks
• Sprains, strains and sports injuries
• Low back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain
• Period pain (dysmenorrhoea)
• Pain and swelling after dental work or minor surgery

It is meant for doctor-advised use, particularly when treatment is needed for more than a few days, because NSAIDs require monitoring of the stomach, kidneys and blood pressure during longer courses.

Like all NSAIDs, Ketoprofen can cause side effects, and its stomach-related risk is comparatively high within this group:

• Common: indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, loose stools, headache, dizziness
• Less common: fluid retention, raised blood pressure, skin rash, drowsiness, ringing in the ears
• Serious (seek immediate care): black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, severe persistent stomach pain, swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulty, sudden drop in urine output

Report any new stomach symptoms promptly. Doctors sometimes co-prescribe a gastric-protective medicine (such as a PPI) for people who need longer courses.

Follow these precautions while taking Ketoprofen:

• Always take it with or after food, never on an empty stomach
• Avoid it entirely in dengue fever or when dengue is suspected — NSAIDs raise the risk of dangerous bleeding; use paracetamol for fever instead
• Be cautious if you have a history of ulcers, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure or asthma
• Avoid alcohol and smoking, which add to stomach irritation
• Maintain good hydration, especially in hot weather or with diarrhoea and vomiting
• Do not combine it with other NSAID painkillers, including over-the-counter ones
• Elderly people need the lowest possible dose and regular review

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you use. Ketoprofen can interact with:

• Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) — increased bleeding risk
• Other NSAIDs and corticosteroids — greatly increased ulcer and bleeding risk
• Antihypertensives and diuretics (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, frusemide) — reduced effect and possible kidney strain
• Lithium and methotrexate — blood levels may rise dangerously
• SSRIs and SNRIs — added bleeding tendency
• Sulphonylurea diabetes medicines — blood sugar may dip; monitor closely

Avoid alcohol while on treatment, and always mention herbal or over-the-counter products you take regularly.

Ketoprofen must not be used if any of the following applies to you:

• Allergy to ketoprofen, aspirin or any NSAID — especially if it previously caused an asthma attack, hives or facial swelling
• Active peptic ulcer, or a history of recurrent ulcers or NSAID-related stomach bleeding
• Severe heart failure, severe kidney disease or severe liver disease
• Bleeding disorders, low platelets or dengue fever
• Third trimester of pregnancy

People with previous gastrointestinal bleeding of any cause should use NSAIDs only with explicit medical approval and gastric protection.

Pregnancy: Ketoprofen should be avoided throughout pregnancy unless a doctor decides it is essential. It is strictly contraindicated in the third trimester, when it can affect the baby's heart circulation and kidneys, reduce amniotic fluid and delay labour. If you become pregnant while taking it, inform your doctor promptly.

Breastfeeding: Data on ketoprofen in breast milk are limited, so it is generally not the preferred painkiller for nursing mothers. Safer alternatives such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are usually chosen instead. Always tell your doctor that you are breastfeeding before any painkiller is prescribed.

Store Ketoprofen in its original packaging at room temperature below 30°C, protected from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Avoid keeping medicines in bathrooms or near cooking areas where humidity is high. Keep the pack well out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use the medicine beyond the expiry date printed on the pack, and discard tablets or capsules that appear cracked, discoloured or damaged. Return or dispose of leftover medicine safely instead of storing it for self-medication later.