Ketofan

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Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Ketofan

Property Description
Active ingredient Ketoprofen
Form Tablet (including Dispersible Tablet/DT), Capsule, Gel, Injection
Pharmacological class Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Common purpose Relief of pain, inflammation, and fever
Origin Synthetic small molecule

Ketofan: Classification and Core Identity

Ketofan is a pharmaceutical preparation whose core therapeutic substance is Ketoprofen, establishing it as a type of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID). It is specifically categorized within the propionic acid derivative subclass, sharing chemical characteristics with related agents like ibuprofen and naproxen. This product is a synthetic, single-ingredient small molecule and is classified as a non-narcotic agent. Ketoprofen belongs to the propionic derivative class of NSAIDs, which block the formation of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins integral to pain and inflammatory pathways. This means the medicine works at a chemical level to help reduce the body's reaction to discomfort. Ketoprofen is clinically recognized for its ability to provide relief across a spectrum of musculoskeletal pain and inflammatory conditions.

Composition, Forms, and General Purpose

The composition of Ketofan centers exclusively on the active substance Ketoprofen, which is combined with inert pharmaceutical excipients to create various delivery systems. It is often commercially distinguished by its Dispersible Tablet (DT) form, which is designed for faster dissolution compared to standard capsules, potentially facilitating rapid systemic absorption. It is also available in standard oral forms, as well as topical preparations, and parenteral (injectable) solutions.

This variety of forms reflects the medicine's general purpose: to address the symptoms of pain, inflammation, and fever through flexible delivery. As a non-opioid analgesic, it is utilized for the management of physical discomfort, such as generalized muscle stiffness or joint inflammation. The core benefit is managing physical distress by mitigating the swelling and pain responses orchestrated by the body's inflammatory chemicals. The specific DT format is intended for use where a timely onset of the systemic effect is desired, differentiating the product within the NSAID market.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH LiverTox: Ketoprofen

What side effects are possible with Ketofan?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Ketofan, which contains the active substance Ketoprofen, is formally characterized in regulatory documents by classifying potential adverse reactions according to the body system affected and the estimated frequency of occurrence.

Adverse reactions are grouped under various System-Organ Classes, with documented effects on the Gastrointestinal System, Nervous System, and Cardiovascular System being key areas of regulatory focus. Effects commonly listed include gastrointestinal disturbances like dyspepsia, nausea, and abdominal pain, and central nervous system effects such as headache and dizziness.


Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

The official labeling highlights the potential for serious adverse reactions, including life-threatening events such as gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. The regulatory profile also explicitly documents an increased risk for serious thromboembolic events, including myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke.

Risk profiles are influenced by duration of use, as the potential for serious gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events is documented to increase with long-term exposure. Specific safety constraints exist: use is restricted (contraindicated) in patients with a history of active peptic ulcer or severe renal or hepatic impairment.

Population-Specific Safety: The regulatory documents note that older adults have a significantly increased risk of experiencing severe, potentially fatal, gastrointestinal and renal adverse events.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

The official regulatory profile for Ketoprofen overdose emphasizes acute risk management and mandated emergency actions, as no specific antidote is known.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

Overdose presentation often begins with drowsiness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. More severe, rare manifestations documented in regulatory summaries include seizures, coma (decreased level of consciousness), acute renal failure, and serious gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation. The physiological systems primarily affected are the CNS, gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular systems.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Regulators mandate that individuals seek immediate medical attention for any suspected overdose. Immediate help is also required for the onset of severe symptoms like chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or sudden weakness, as these are associated with severe outcomes. Management is strictly based on symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Overdose Management and Considerations

Procedural steps described in official documents include monitoring of vital signs and the use of diagnostic tests such as ECG and blood analyses. Interventions may include gastric decontamination with activated charcoal within a specific time window following ingestion. Elderly patients are documented as being at a greater risk for serious gastrointestinal complications in overdose situations.

Therapeutic Uses of Ketofan

What Ketofan Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Ketofan is commonly used to help with symptomatic relief across several therapeutic domains, generally targeting pain, inflammation, and fever. It supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress related to physical discomfort.

This medication is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms. It is commonly used to help manage symptoms associated with conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, acute gout flares, sprains and strains, and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps).

It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, specifically the pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with these conditions. This may help improve day-to-day comfort during symptomatic periods of increased joint discomfort. The medication is also relevant in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, assisting with managing generalized symptom intensity, including headaches and systemic muscle aches, by reducing fever (pyrexia).


Quick Fact: Relief for Musculoskeletal Pain

This application may assist with maintaining functional stability when symptoms become more noticeable. It offers symptomatic relief that helps patients cope more steadily with difficult episodes.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information on Ketoprofen

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Map: Who Can and Cannot Use Ketofan

Regulatory agencies define the suitable population for Ketofan (Ketoprofen) through specific contraindications and restrictions based on physiological status, organ function, and age.

Category Status and Statement
Absolute Contraindications Use is strictly prohibited for patients with a known hypersensitivity to Ketoprofen or other NSAIDs (like aspirin-induced asthma) or those who have recently undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery .
Severe Organ Impairment The medicine is contraindicated in cases of severe heart failure, severe hepatic insufficiency, and severe renal insufficiency .
Gastrointestinal Risk Patients with active peptic ulcers or active inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract must not use this medicine .
Pregnancy and Lactation Use is Contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy due to risk to the fetus. Use is not recommended during the first two trimesters or while breastfeeding .
Pediatric Population Safety and effectiveness have not been established for the general pediatric population for oral forms, though use may be allowed for adolescents ge 16 years for certain non-prescription forms .
Elderly Patients Use is restricted and requires special consideration, often necessitating a reduced initial dosage due to the increased risk of adverse effects and reduced renal clearance .

Eligibility is also restricted for patients with a history of GI bleeding, cardiovascular risk factors, or mild to moderate renal or hepatic impairment, often requiring dose adjustment and close medical monitoring .

: Information aligned with FDA Prescribing Information and MedlinePlus. : Information aligned with European Medicines Agency (EMA) Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). : Information aligned with NIH Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). : Information aligned with clinical monographs referencing regulatory approvals.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The interaction profile of Ketofan (Ketoprofen) is defined by officially documented patterns involving additive toxicity and pharmacokinetic changes to drug clearance. Certain drug combinations are formally classified as contraindicated in regulatory documents.

Formal Contraindications

Interacting Substance Interaction Outcome (Regulatory Description)
Other NSAIDs Increased risk of severe gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration.
Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin) Increased risk of hemorrhage due to additive bleeding effects.
Lithium Reduced renal clearance, leading to elevated and potentially toxic Lithium plasma concentrations.
Methotrexate (doses ge 15 mg/week) Reduced renal clearance, leading to elevated Methotrexate plasma exposure and toxicity.

Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Interactions

Co-administration with Diuretics or ACE Inhibitors/ARBs carries a documented pharmacodynamic risk of reduced antihypertensive efficacy and deterioration of renal function; this risk is officially stated to be heightened in elderly patients. Combining Ketofan with Corticosteroids or SSRIs is documented to increase the official risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration. The substance Probenecid is known to cause a pharmacokinetic increase in Ketofan's plasma exposure by officially reducing its renal clearance. Additionally, regulatory documents state that alcohol consumption increases the documented risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Mechanism of Action

Ketofan, which is Ketoprofen, functions primarily as a non-selective inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, specifically interacting with both Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 (COX-1) and Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (COX-2) within various tissues. This inhibitory interaction is reversible and concentration-dependent. The molecular consequence of this binding is the blockade of the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostanoids, which are eicosanoid lipid mediators. The intracellular pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism is suppressed, resulting in a systemic decrease in the production of prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxanes (TXs). Downstream, the concentration of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), is diminished at the cellular level. This systemic physiological consequence modulates the signaling cascades responsible for elevated body temperature and vascular permeability in affected tissues.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Ketofan

Ketofan, whose active substance is Ketoprofen, is associated with parameters that define its route, dosage, frequency, and use context. Usage patterns differentiate between continuous maintenance therapy and short-term symptomatic use.


Official Routes and Standard Dosing

The medication is administered via the oral route for systemic effect (capsules, tablets) and topical/cutaneous route for localized effect (gels). The choice of administration method is based on the required therapeutic reach.

Usage Pattern Standard Adult Regimen Maximum Dose
Chronic (e.g., Arthritis) 50 mg to 75 mg multiple times daily, or 200 mg Extended-Release once daily. 300 mg/day
Acute Pain/Dysmenorrhea 25 mg to 50 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed (p.r.n.). 300 mg/day

Administration Context and Specific Adjustments

Oral formulations may be taken with food, milk, or an antacid. This is a common practice for this type of medication. Administration duration is generally restricted; for example, topical use is often limited to a defined period, such as up to seven days.

Dosage adjustments are established for specific patient groups. In older adults, therapy is initiated with lower doses. For patients with renal impairment, the maximum daily dose is reduced to no more than 150 mg/day (mild impairment) or 100 mg/day (severe impairment). If a dose is missed, the standard protocol involves skipping the dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Ketofan: Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Exploring Short-Term Outcomes Related to Physical Discomfort

Research has examined Ketofan in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) focusing on acute symptom patterns, such as those following surgical procedures or during episodes of physical discomfort. These studies primarily monitored patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort over defined, short time intervals. Studies explored how symptoms evolved in the observed populations, and findings indicate that for outcomes related to acute changes, study results varied when compared against placebo or other active control substances in the trials. Evidence is limited, as the research highlights changes measured only during the short study period, and long-term effects are not fully established.

Studies for Conditions Characterized by Fluctuating or Episodic Manifestations

To address chronic discomfort, the research also evaluated Ketofan in conditions presenting with cycles of stability and flare-ups, such as certain types of arthritis and menstrual discomfort. Research describes its use in observational settings evaluating daily-life functioning and outcomes linked to inflammatory states. Some studies explored whether Ketofan was associated with changes in outcomes related to physical discomfort and activity level. However, findings were mixed across studies exploring longer-term effects, and evidence quality varies, especially regarding functional outcomes.

Evidence in Older Adult Populations

Studies explored how the body processes Ketofan in older adult populations, applied in research contexts involving fluctuating or unstable symptoms. Data can show patterns related to how Ketofan is absorbed and processed in the body; research explored whether these patterns varied when observed in older adults compared to younger studied populations. The research highlights that data for certain groups remain insufficient. Certainty remains low regarding the full range of outcomes related to physical discomfort in this specific demographic.

Key Studies & References

  1. Ketoprofen: MedlinePlus Drug Information (NIH/NLM)
  2. Ketoprofen - LiverTox - Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (NIH/NCBI)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Ketofan (FAQ)

Q: What is the typical duration of Ketofan's effects?

A: According to the official product information, the medication is typically dosed every 6 to 8 hours as needed for certain conditions. This dosing frequency is generally considered the framework for the expected duration of symptomatic relief provided by a single dose.

Q: What is the most common side effect listed for Ketofan?

A: Official safety information indicates that the most frequently reported adverse reactions are gastrointestinal in nature. Among these, dyspepsia, a term for indigestion or discomfort in the upper abdomen, is commonly listed as an occurrence in clinical studies.

Q: Can Ketofan be taken alongside a daily aspirin regimen?

A: Official documents state that combining the active ingredient in Ketofan (Ketoprofen) with aspirin increases the risk of serious gastrointestinal events, such as bleeding and ulceration. Regulatory information indicates that concurrent use is generally discouraged due to this heightened risk, and any combination requires close management by a healthcare professional.

Q: Are there any new studies about Ketofan's long-term safety?

A: Regulatory guidance indicates that, in order to minimize risks, use of the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible is advised. This is because serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks are known to increase with long-term exposure to the drug.

Q: Is there a maximum number of days I can take Ketofan?

A: Official guidance indicates that the medication should be taken only for the minimum duration required for treatment. There is no single fixed limit for all uses, as the appropriate duration must be determined by the prescribing doctor to minimize potential risks.

Q: Does taking Ketofan affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

A: Official safety information indicates that this medication may cause central nervous system effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. Official patient counseling requires that individuals refrain from driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks requiring alertness until they are certain how the medication affects them.

Q: What is the main function of the inactive ingredients in Ketofan?

A: The inactive ingredients, also known as pharmaceutical excipients, are essential components of the final product. Their main functions are to help form the tablet or capsule, ensure the drug's stability over time, and control how the active medicine is released and absorbed into the body.

Q: How long does it usually take for Ketofan to start working?

A: Studies show that when taken on an empty stomach, the active ingredient typically reaches its peak concentration in the blood within approximately 0.5 to 2 hours. This peak concentration is generally associated with the onset of the maximum therapeutic effect.

Q: Can Ketofan affect my sleep schedule?

A: Official safety information lists insomnia, which is difficulty sleeping, as a common adverse reaction to the medication. If sleep disturbances occur, this possibility is documented in regulatory records.

Q: Is it safe to take Ketofan with an antibiotic?

A: Official interaction documents note that this medication may interact with certain types of antibiotics. The interaction is documented to potentially decrease the rate at which the body excretes the antibiotic, which could increase the antibiotic's concentration in the body.

Q: Is Ketofan known to be habit-forming?

A: Ketofan contains the active substance Ketoprofen, which is classified as a non-narcotic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Official regulatory information does not associate this type of medication with being habit-forming or physical dependence.

Q: Can Ketofan make you tired or drowsy?

A: Yes, official safety information reports that drowsiness and somnolence (sleepiness) are common central nervous system side effects of the medication. Warnings are provided in patient counseling regarding activities that require full alertness.

Q: What does 'contraindicated' mean in relation to Ketofan?

A: The term 'contraindication' signifies that a medical treatment is generally prohibited in a specific circumstance, condition, or patient population because using it may cause harm. The official eligibility map for Ketofan lists several specific conditions where the medicine is not permitted.

Q: Can Ketofan cause swelling in the feet or ankles?

A: Official safety information indicates that fluid retention and peripheral edema have been observed as potential side effects. Peripheral edema is the medical term for swelling, often noticeable in the feet or ankles.

Q: Can Ketofan interact with herbal supplements?

A: Official patient counseling documents include a requirement to inform the healthcare provider about all products and supplements used, including herbal products. This disclosure is required due to the potential for undocumented interactions with the active ingredient.

Q: Why is there a Black Box warning on Ketofan's label?

A: The Black Box warning, officially known as a Boxed Warning, is required by regulatory agencies for serious potential risks. For this medication, the warning relates to the increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, such as heart attack or stroke, and serious gastrointestinal adverse events, including bleeding and ulceration.

Q: Are there different brand names for the drug Ketofan?

A: Yes, Ketofan is one brand name used for the active ingredient, ketoprofen. Regulatory agencies maintain lists of all approved generic and brand-name products that contain the same active ingredient.

How should Ketofan be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal of Ketofan

Ketoprofen (Ketofan) must be stored and handled according to specific official regulatory requirements to maintain product stability and ensure safety.

Storage Requirements

Condition Requirement
Temperature Store at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). Do not freeze.
Protection Keep in the original container, tightly closed, and protect from excess moisture and light.
Child Safety The medication must be kept out of the reach and sight of children.

Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Ketofan should be disposed of using a drug take-back program whenever possible, as recommended by regulatory bodies. If a take-back program is not available, the medicine should be mixed with an undesirable substance (such as used coffee grounds or dirt), sealed in a bag, and then placed in the household trash. The product should not be flushed down the toilet.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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