What is ketoprofen

Ketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in treatment of acute pain and chronic arthritis. Ketoprofen is a propionic acid derivate similar to naproxen and ibuprofen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities. Like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ketoprofen works by inhibiting the activity of the enzymes cyclo-oxygenase 1 (COX-1) and 2 (COX-2), resulting in a decreased formation of precursors of prostaglandins and thromboxanes hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Ketoprofen also causes a decrease in the formation of thromboxane A2 synthesis, by thromboxane synthase, thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Ketoprofen was approved in the United States in 1986 and is still widely used. Current indications include chronic joint pain due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as mild-to-moderate acute pain and menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea). The recommended dose in adults with chronic arthritis is 50 to 75 mg 3 or 4 times per day with a maximum dose of 300 mg daily. Ketoprofen is available by prescription in the form of capsules or tablets of 25, 50 and 75 mg in both generic and trade formulations (Orudis, Oruvail, among others). Extended release formulations of 100, 150 and 200 mg are also available for once daily dosing. Ketoprofen is also available in over-the-counter formulations of 12.5 mg tablets for treatment of mild-to-moderate pain and dysmenorrhea.

Ketoprofen is available in the following dosage forms:

• Extended Release capsule,
• Regular capsule.

Only ketoprofen extended-release capsules are used for treating arthritis. This form of ketoprofen will not work fast enough to treat acute pain.

The ketoprofen regular capsule is used to treat menstrual pain.

As with other NSAIDs, ketoprofen is generally well tolerated, but side effects can include headache, dizziness, somnolence, gastrointestinal upset, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, peripheral edema and hypersensitivity reactions.

Ketoprofen has been linked to a low rate of serum enzyme elevations during therapy and to rare instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

Ketoprofen special precautions

Before taking ketoprofen:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ketoprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in ketoprofen capsules or extended-release capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers such as candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), and valsartan (in Exforge HCT); diuretics (‘water pills’); lithium (Lithobid); medications for diabetes; methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); and probenecid (Probalan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); heart failure; swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking ketoprofen, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ketoprofen.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ketoprofen in children below 18 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ketoprofen in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require adjustment of dosage in patients receiving ketoprofen .

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ketoprofen, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using ketoprofen with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with ketoprofen or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ketorolac

Using ketoprofen with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abciximab
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acenocoumarol
• Amiloride
• Amineptine
• Amitriptyline
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Amoxapine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anagrelide
• Apixaban
• Ardeparin
• Argatroban
• Aspirin
• Balsalazide
• Bemiparin
• Bendroflumethiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Betamethasone
• Betrixaban
• Bismuth Subsalicylate
• Bivalirudin
• Bromfenac
• Budesonide
• Bufexamac
• Bumetanide
• Cangrelor
• Celecoxib
• Certoparin
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorthalidone
• Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
• Choline Salicylate
• Cilostazol
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clonixin
• Clopamide
• Clopidogrel
• Cortisone
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Cyclosporine
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Deflazacort
• Desipramine
• Desirudin
• Desmopressin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexamethasone
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diazoxide
• Dibenzepin
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Digoxin
• Dipyridamole
• Dipyrone
• Dothiepin
• Doxepin
• Droxicam
• Duloxetine
• Edoxaban
• Enoxaparin
• Eplerenone
• Epoprostenol
• Eptifibatide
• Escitalopram
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Feverfew
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Fluocortolone
• Fluoxetine
• Flurbiprofen
• Fluvoxamine
• Fondaparinux
• Furosemide
• Ginkgo
• Gossypol
• Heparin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydrocortisone
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Ibuprofen
• Iloprost
• Imipramine
• Indapamide
• Indomethacin
• Inotersen
• Ketoprofen
• Lepirudin
• Levomilnacipran
• Lithium
• Lofepramine
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Magnesium Salicylate
• Meadowsweet
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Melitracen
• Meloxicam
• Mesalamine
• Methotrexate
• Methyclothiazide
• Methylprednisolone
• Metolazone
• Milnacipran
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Nadroparin
• Naproxen
• Nefazodone
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Nortriptyline
• Olsalazine
• Opipramol
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Paramethasone
• Parecoxib
• Parnaparin
• Paroxetine
• Pemetrexed
• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Phenylbutazone
• Phenyl Salicylate
• Piketoprofen
• Piroxicam
• Polythiazide
• Pralatrexate
• Prasugrel
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Protein C
• Protriptyline
• Reboxetine
• Reviparin
• Rivaroxaban
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylamide
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Sodium Salicylate
• Spironolactone
• Sulfasalazine
• Sulindac
• Tacrolimus
• Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
• Tenoxicam
• Tianeptine
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tinzaparin
• Tirofiban
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Torsemide
• Treprostinil
• Triamterene
• Trichlormethiazide
• Trimipramine
• Trolamine Salicylate
• Valdecoxib
• Venlafaxine
• Vilazodone
• Vorapaxar
• Vortioxetine
• Warfarin
• Xipamide

Using ketoprofen with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acebutolol
• Alacepril
• Atenolol
• Azilsartan
• Azilsartan Medoxomil
• Benazepril
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Candesartan Cilexetil
• Captopril
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Enalapril
• Enalaprilat
• Eprosartan
• Esmolol
• Fosinopril
• Irbesartan
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Lisinopril
• Losartan
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Moexipril
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Olmesartan Medoxomil
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Perindopril Erbumine
• Pindolol
• Practolol
• Propranolol
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Sotalol
• Spirapril
• Telmisartan
• Timolol
• Trandolapril
• Valsartan

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ketoprofen. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia or
• Asthma or
• Bleeding problems or
• Blood clots or
• Edema (fluid retention or body swelling) or
• Heart attack, history of or
• Heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure) or
• High blood pressure or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease (e.g., hepatitis) or
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding or
• Stroke, history of—Use with caution. Ketoprofen may make these conditions worse .
• Aspirin sensitivity, history of—Ketoprofen should NOT be used in patients with aspirin sensitivity.
• Heart surgery (e.g., coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] surgery)—Ketoprofen should NOT be used to relieve pain right before or after the surgery .

Ketoprofen vs Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Ibuprofen does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it.

In addition, ibuprofen can be used to treat fever, menstrual cramps, and other conditions as determined by your doctor. Ibuprofen is also sometimes used to treat ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine), gouty arthritis (joint pain caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints), and psoriatic arthritis (arthritis that occurs with a long-lasting skin disease that causes scaling and swelling).

Ibuprofen is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor’s prescription.

Ibuprofen is available in the following dosage forms:

• Tablet, Chewable
• Tablet
• Suspension
• Capsule, Liquid Filled

Prescription ibuprofen comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken three or four times a day for arthritis or every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. Nonprescription ibuprofen comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, suspension (liquid), and drops (concentrated liquid). Adults and children older than 12 years of age may usually take nonprescription ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain or fever. Children and infants may usually be given nonprescription ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours as needed for pain or fever, but should not be given more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Ibuprofen may be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. If you are taking ibuprofen on a regular basis, you should take it at the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ibuprofen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed by the package label or prescribed by your doctor.

Ibuprofen comes alone and in combination with other medications. Some of these combination products are available by prescription only, and some of these combination products are available without a prescription and are used to treat cough and cold symptoms and other conditions. If your doctor has prescribed a medication that contains ibuprofen, you should be careful not to take any nonprescription medications that also contain ibuprofen.

If you are selecting a product to treat cough or cold symptoms, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for you. Check nonprescription product labels carefully before using two or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient(s) and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose. This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child.

Nonprescription cough and cold combination products, including products that contain ibuprofen, can cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give these products to children younger than 4 years of age. If you give these products to children 4 to 11 years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully.

If you are giving ibuprofen or a combination product that contains ibuprofen to a child, read the package label carefully to be sure that it is the right product for a child of that age. Do not give ibuprofen products that are made for adults to children.

Before you give an ibuprofen product to a child, check the package label to find out how much medication the child should receive. Give the dose that matches the child’s age on the chart. Ask the child’s doctor if you don’t know how much medication to give the child.

Shake the suspension and drops well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Use the measuring cup provided to measure each dose of the suspension, and use the dosing device provided to measure each dose of the drops.

The chewable tablets may cause a burning feeling in the mouth or throat. Take the chewable tablets with food or water.

Stop taking nonprescription ibuprofen and call your doctor if your symptoms get worse, you develop new or unexpected symptoms, the part of your body that was painful becomes red or swollen, your pain lasts for more than 10 days, or your fever lasts more than 3 days. Stop giving nonprescription ibuprofen to your child and call your child’s doctor if your child does not start to feel better during the first 24 hours of treatment. Also stop giving nonprescription ibuprofen to your child and call your child’s doctor if your child develops new symptoms, including redness or swelling on the painful part of his body, or if your child’s pain or fever get worse or lasts longer than 3 days.

Do not give nonprescription ibuprofen to a child who has a sore throat that is severe or does not go away, or that comes along with fever, headache, nausea, or vomiting. Call the child’s doctor right away, because these symptoms may be signs of a more serious condition.

What is ketoprofen used for?

Ketoprofen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Prescription ketoprofen capsules are also used to relieve pain, including menstrual pain (pain that occurs before or during a menstrual period). Ketoprofen over the counter (ketoprofen OTC) is used to relieve minor aches and pain from headaches, menstrual periods, toothaches, the common cold, muscle aches, and backaches, and to reduce fever. Ketoprofen is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

Ketoprofen is also sometimes used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis that affects children), ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine), Reiter’s syndrome (condition in which many parts of the body including the joints, eyes, genitals, bladder, and digestive system become swollen), shoulder pain caused by bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint) and tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone), and gouty arthritis (attacks of joint pain caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using ketoprofen for your condition.

Ketoprofen is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Ketoprofen dosage

Prescription ketoprofen comes as a capsule and extended-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. The capsules are usually taken three or four times a day for arthritis or every 6 to 8 hours as needed for pain. The extended-release capsules are usually taken once daily. If you take ketoprofen regularly, take it at around the same times every day.

Ketoprofen over the counter (ketoprofen OTC) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a full glass of water or other liquid every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ketoprofen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or written on the label.

Ketoprofen may be taken with food or milk to prevent upset stomach. Your doctor may also recommend that you take ketoprofen with an antacid to reduce stomach upset.

Your doctor may start you on an average dose of prescription ketoprofen and may increase or decrease on your dose depending on how well you respond to the medication and the side effects you experience. Follow these directions carefully.

Stop taking nonprescription ketoprofen and call your doctor if your symptoms get worse, you develop new or unexpected symptoms, the part of your body that was painful becomes red or swollen, your pain lasts for more than 10 days or your fever lasts for more than 3 days.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  • For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:
    • Adults—At first, 75 milligrams (mg) three times a day or 50 mg four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose, if necessary, up to a total of 300 mg a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
  • For mild to moderate pain or menstrual cramps:
    • Adults—25 to 50 mg every six to eight hours as needed. Some people may need to take as much as 75 mg every six to eight hours. Doses larger than 75 mg are not likely to give better relief.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
• For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
  • For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:
    • Adults—200 mg once a day, in the morning or evening. Take the medicine at the same time every day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

Adult dose for Osteoarthritis

Uses: For the management of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Immediate Release: 50 mg orally 4 times a day or 75 mg orally 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 300 mg/day

Extended Release: 200 mg orally once a day

• Maximum dose: 200 mg/day

Comments:

• Lower doses should be initiated in small individuals and elderly or debilitated patients.
• Once response to initial therapy is observed, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to fit individual patient needs.
• When considering treatment with 300 mg/day, the clinical benefit should be sufficient to offset potential increased risks.

Adult dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Uses: For the management of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Immediate Release: 50 mg orally 4 times a day or 75 mg orally 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 300 mg/day

Extended Release: 200 mg orally once a day

• Maximum dose: 200 mg/day

Comments:

• Lower doses should be initiated in small individuals and elderly or debilitated patients.
• Once response to initial therapy is observed, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to fit individual patient needs.
• When considering treatment with 300 mg/day, the clinical benefit should be sufficient to offset potential increased risks.

Adult dose for Menstrual Pain

Uses: For the management of pain and for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea

Immediate Release: 25 mg to 50 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed

• Maximum dose: 300 mg/day

Comments:

• Extended release capsules are not recommended for the treatment of acute pain.
• A larger dose may be considered if the patient’s response to a previous dose was less than satisfactory, however, doses above 75 mg have not shown to provide added analgesia.
• Lower doses should be initiated in small individuals and elderly or debilitated patients.
• Once response to initial therapy is observed, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to fit individual patient needs.
• When considering treatment with 300 mg/day, the clinical benefit should be sufficient to offset potential increased risks.

Renal Dose Adjustments

• Mild renal dysfunction: Maximum dose 150 mg/day
• Moderate renal dysfunction: Data not available
• Severe renal dysfunction (GFR less than 25 mL/min/1.73 m2) or end-stage renal impairment: Maximum dose 100 mg/day

Liver Dose Adjustments

Liver impairment and serum albumin concentration less than 3.5 g/dL: Maximum initial dose of 100 mg/day

Dose Adjustments

Elderly Patients:

• May require lower doses due to increased risk for adverse effects and increased likelihood of concomitant hepatic and/or renal impairment.
• Patients over 75 years should have their initial dose reduced and renal function monitored.

Metabolic Impairment:

• All patients with metabolic impairment, especially those with hypoalbuminemia and reduced renal function may have increased levels of free (biologically active) drug and should be closely monitored.
• The dose may be increased to the range recommended for the general population only after individual tolerance has been determined.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Ketoprofen side effects

Ketoprofen may cause side effects.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• abdominal pain
• bloody urine
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• headache
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• troubled breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weight gain

Less common

• bladder pain
• cloudy urine
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• frequent urge to urinate
• rash
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• sores in the mouth
• headache
• dizziness
• nervousness
• drowsiness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• ringing in the ears

Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more ketoprofen until you speak to your doctor.

• changes in vision
• unexplained weight gain
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• swelling of the abdomen, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• fever
• blisters
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, or hands
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• pale skin
• fast heartbeat
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination

Ketoprofen may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking ketoprofen.

Ketoprofen overdose

Ketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is used to treat pain, swelling, and inflammation. Ketoprofen overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call your local emergency services number.

Symptoms of ketoprofen overdose may include the following:

• lack of energy
• drowsiness
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• shallow breathing
• seizures
• coma

Below are symptoms of a ketoprofen overdose in different parts of the body.

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears

HEART AND BLOOD

• Congestive heart failure (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, leg swelling)
• High or low blood pressure

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Possible loss of blood in the stomach and intestines
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting (sometimes with blood)

LUNGS AND AIRWAYS

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Headache
• Agitation
• Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue and weakness
• Numbness and tingling
• Seizures
• Unsteadiness

SKIN

• Blistering rash
• Bruising
• Sweating

What to expect at the emergency room

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Tests that may done include:

• Blood and urine tests
• ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Chest x-ray

Treatment may include:

• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicine to treat stomach inflammation and bleeding, breathing problems, and other symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)

Ketoprofen overdose prognosis

How well someone does depends on the amount of ketoprofen that was swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.

A mild overdose of ketoprofen does not usually cause serious problems. The person may have some stomach pain and vomiting (possibly with blood).

However, a large amount of internal bleeding is possible, and a blood transfusion may be needed. Passing a tube with a camera through the mouth into the stomach may be needed to stop the internal bleeding.

A large overdose can cause serious damage to children and adults. Death may occur.