Ketomag

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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 Ketomag

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Ketoprofen (INN)
Pharmacological class Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Origin Synthetic compound (Propionic acid derivative)
Systemic Forms Tablets, solution for injection, suppositories
General Purpose Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic action

What Type of Medicine is Ketomag and What is its Active Ingredient?

Ketomag is a specific pharmaceutical preparation containing Ketoprofen as its sole active component. It is officially classified as a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), placing it within the category of focused, synthetic compounds designed for systemic therapeutic effect. Ketoprofen is chemically recognized as a propionic acid derivative. Its structure provides a point of differentiation within the larger NSAID class, being clinically recognized for its potent inhibitory action on prostaglandin synthesis. As a single-ingredient product, the action of Ketomag is directly attributable to Ketoprofen, which is its International Nonproprietary Name (INN).

Pharmacological Purpose and General Therapeutic Benefit

The general purpose of Ketomag is to provide effective symptomatic relief by chemically modulating the body's inflammatory response. The core benefit of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties is intended for the symptomatic relief of conditions where both inflammation and pain are present. Ketoprofen achieves this by acting as a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, a mechanism that reduces the biosynthesis of prostaglandins—the local molecules that mediate pain and swelling. Ketoprofen helps manage the physical manifestations of inflammation, such as pain and fever, across the body.

Available Forms of Ketoprofen Preparations

To suit varied administration requirements, Ketomag is manufactured in several distinct dosage forms for systemic use. These preparations include oral tablets, a sterile solution for injection in ampoules for parenteral administration, and suppositories for rectal delivery. This variety of routes of administration is a key feature, allowing for the optimal method based on the patient's immediate needs. Although the specific inert excipient base varies to optimize the stability and absorption of each form, the core pharmacological effect remains consistent due to the unified active ingredient, Ketoprofen.

Regulatory References

  1. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
  2. NIH LiverTox, National Institutes of Health

What side effects are possible with Ketomag?

Ketomag: Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

This information describes the documented safety profile of Ketomag (active ingredient: Ketoprofen) as defined by authoritative government regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA, EMA). It is not a guide for use or a medical recommendation.

Serious Regulatory Warnings and Restrictions

Official labels contain a Black Box Warning that highlights the potential for serious, potentially fatal, cardiovascular (CV) thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. These risks may increase with the duration of use.

Another serious warning concerns gastrointestinal (GI) events, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can also be fatal. The risk is higher in older adults and with prolonged use.

Use is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery and during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are classified by frequency based on clinical data and system-organ class (SOC):

Frequency Category Examples of Documented Reactions
Common (1-10%) Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, constipation, headache, dizziness, somnolence.
Rare Peptic ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding, severe liver disease (hepatitis), severe skin reactions.
Very Rare Acute renal failure, anaphylactic shock (frequency often listed as not known for severe hypersensitivity).

Population-Specific Safety Notes

  • Older Adults are at an increased risk for serious GI adverse events.
  • Pregnancy: Contraindicated in the third trimester due to potential harm to the fetus (cardiopulmonary and renal toxicity).

This structured safety information formally defines the medicine's risk profile, highlighting the most critical safety limitations and the expected incidence of documented side effects.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Ketomag (Ketoprofen) overdose is defined by specific clinical manifestations and severe risks detailed in regulatory documents. Documented presentations include gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Central Nervous System effects often manifest as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, headache, and tinnitus.

Regulatory authorities require individuals to seek emergency medical help right away or contact emergency services immediately upon any suspicion of overdose. This urgent action is mandated due to the risk of severe, life-threatening outcomes.

These formally documented outcomes include severe renal injury (acute kidney damage), metabolic acidosis, seizures, and potential fatalities from gastrointestinal hemorrhage or perforation. Elderly patients are specifically noted in regulatory warnings to be at greater risk for serious GI events in these scenarios.

Management for overdose is restricted to symptomatic and supportive treatment, as no specific antidote is known. Officially described procedures may involve activated charcoal, gastric lavage, administration of intravenous fluids, and comprehensive hospital monitoring of vital signs and laboratory parameters.

Therapeutic Uses of Ketomag

What Ketomag Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Ketomag is commonly used across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed for conditions involving episodic or fluctuating manifestations, targeting symptoms related to physical discomfort and inflammatory or irritative states. The medication is considered relevant for easing symptoms associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It is also applied in acute scenarios, including pain from musculoskeletal injuries, dental surgery, and the acute cramping pain of primary dysmenorrhea.

Used in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, the supportive relief offered may help patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations and supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress.

“This medication is applied in situations requiring temporary assistance in symptom stabilization, supporting general well-being during symptomatic phases.”

Quick Fact: Relief for Symptom Clusters

Ketomag is relevant for managing symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, specifically symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states, along with symptoms related to systemic imbalance. It is commonly used when symptoms create noticeable functional strain.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information Overview

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use Ketoprofen (Ketomag)?

Ketoprofen, the active ingredient in some products named 'Ketomag,' is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) whose use is strictly governed by authoritative regulatory contraindications.

Mandatory Contraindications (Must Not Use)

Individuals are contraindicated (must not use the medicine) if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • Prior Allergic Reaction: A known history of hypersensitivity to ketoprofen, or a previous occurrence of asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or any other NSAID.
  • Active Gastrointestinal Disease: Current active peptic ulcer disease or a history of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration.
  • Cardiovascular Surgery: Treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.
  • Severe Organ Failure: Severe, uncontrolled heart failure.
  • Late Pregnancy: Use during the last trimester of pregnancy (from 30 weeks gestation onward).

Restrictions and Limitations

  • Pediatric Population: The safety and effectiveness have not been established in patients younger than 18 years of age.
  • Impaired Organ Function: Use is generally not recommended for patients with moderate to severe renal impairment or significant hepatic impairment. Elderly patients (typically over 65) are at a higher risk of serious adverse events and require careful consideration.

Regulatory documents establish eligibility based on the absence of these high-risk conditions, defining who can use the drug by excluding specific populations.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The active ingredient in Ketomag (Ketoprofen) is known to interact with several other medicines and substances. These interactions can be classified based on whether they increase the risk of adverse effects or alter drug concentrations in the body.


Documented Interaction Categories

Interaction Type Interacting Substances/Classes
Increased Adverse Risk Other NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs), Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin), Anti-platelet agents, Corticosteroids, SSRIs, and Alcohol
Exposure Modification Probenecid, Lithium, and Methotrexate
Effect Diminution Diuretics (e.g., Thiazides), ACE Inhibitors

Key Interaction Considerations

  • Other NSAIDs: The use of Ketomag concurrently with other NSAIDs, including high-dose aspirin, is generally not recommended due to a significantly increased risk of serious gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration.
  • Anticoagulants: Co-administration with anticoagulants creates a synergistic effect that elevates the risk of bleeding and requires close patient monitoring.
  • Probenecid: This medicine substantially reduces the clearance of Ketoprofen, resulting in higher blood concentrations of Ketomag and increased exposure.
  • Lithium and Methotrexate: Concomitant use with Ketomag can lead to elevated plasma levels of both Lithium and Methotrexate, necessitating observation for signs of toxicity.
  • Food: Taking Ketomag with food slows the rate of drug absorption but does not change the total amount of the active ingredient that enters the bloodstream.

Mechanism of Action

Ketomag acts via multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms to regulate physiological responses by influencing eicosanoid synthesis. It engages mechanisms that regulate overactive or dysregulated processes, modulating signaling activity within targeted pathways.


Enzyme-Mediated Signaling Modulation

Ketomag primarily acts within domains involving cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes—specifically COX-1 and COX-2. It inhibits both isoforms, which are critical for the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory mediators called prostaglandins and thromboxanes. This action initiates or suppresses signaling sequences that lead to downstream effects, resulting in a crucial reduction of mediator-driven activity within affected systems.


Leukotriene Pathway Adjustment

The drug also modulates key pathways associated with heightened physiological responses by inhibiting the lipoxygenase pathway. This secondary effect reduces the synthesis of leukotrienes, another class of potent mediators. This effect modifies early molecular steps, influencing the level of excessive mediator activity, which determines the resulting systemic physiological outcomes.


Stabilizing Cellular Processes

Ketomag engages mechanisms that regulate overactive or dysregulated cellular components, such as stabilizing lysosomal membranes and suppressing neutrophil activity. This action limits the release of various enzymes and toxic mediators from immune cells at the site of tissue stress. These cascades contribute to influencing the total concentration of mediators released by dysregulated processes.

Dosage and Administration Information

The use of Ketoprofen (the active ingredient in Ketomag) involves defined methods for delivery, dosing limits, and required intake conditions. The medicine is formulated for diverse administration, including oral ingestion (Immediate-Release and Extended-Release forms), rectal insertion (suppositories), and parenteral delivery (solution for injection), in addition to topical application (gel/spray) for local treatment.

Dosing schedules are contingent upon the duration of use. For chronic conditions, such as certain inflammatory states, Immediate-Release (IR) forms are typically scheduled for three or four times daily (TID/QID) fixed administration. In contrast, the Extended-Release (ER) form is administered once per day (QD). For acute, short-term pain, the IR form is used on an as-needed (PRN) basis, with required intervals between doses.

Dosing Constraint Official Maximum/Instruction
Oral Maximum (IR) 300 mg per day
Oral Maximum (ER) 200 mg per day
Intake Condition Take with food, milk, or antacids
Form Handling ER forms must be swallowed whole

Proper administration requires that oral forms be taken with food to assist physical tolerance, and patients must remain upright for approximately 10 to 30 minutes following ingestion. Importantly, the administration is adjusted for specific populations. This includes a lower starting dose for older adults and a restricted maximum daily intake of 100 mg for patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment. The ER formulation is specifically not indicated for acute pain management.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Ketomag

This overview describes the types of research and studies that have been conducted on Ketoprofen (the active component in Ketomag) to evaluate its use across various regulated conditions. It focuses on the patterns observed in research findings, the types of patient outcomes measured, and what remains uncertain in the evidence, without providing clinical advice or treatment recommendations.


Evidence for Use in Chronic Rheumatic Conditions

Research exploring the use of Ketoprofen for chronic inflammatory joint conditions, specifically rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, primarily consists of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. These studies monitored adult populations experiencing conditions marked by functional limitations and periods of heightened symptom activity.

The trials examined how researchers measured outcomes such as pain intensity and physical function scores. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies related to these symptomatic outcomes over the short follow-up duration.


Evidence for Acute Pain and Symptom Management

Research for acute and episodic conditions, such as pain from musculoskeletal injuries, following dental surgery, or associated with primary dysmenorrhea, was largely conducted using short-term, placebo-controlled RCTs and trials that examined differences between various treatments. These studies were applied in research contexts involving fluctuating or unstable symptoms.

For acute pain scenarios, research examined measurements such as the time until a change in pain intensity was reported and the observed change in pain severity within the first few hours or days. Findings describe the measured symptomatic changes observed during these short, acute scenarios.


What is Still Uncertain in the Research Landscape

While the research describes patterns of short-term symptomatic change, the degree of certainty regarding the full range of long-term effects is limited. There is limited information for how the observed symptomatic changes translate into better long-term functional outcomes or quality of life across the entire patient group.

Research exploring the relationship between symptomatic change and structural disease progression is not fully established; studies have primarily focused on patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort. Comparative evidence is lacking for certain specific subgroups, and data for pediatric populations is very limited or absent.

Key Studies & References

  1. Ketoprofen: Clinical Drug Information, Indications, Dosing, and Safety
  2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of pain in primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Ketomag (FAQ)

Q: How quickly should I expect to feel something after using Ketomag?

A: Studies and official product information for immediate-release forms indicate that for specific acute pain conditions, the onset of action is typically reported quickly. Measured pain relief following a single oral dose is reported to occur as early as approximately 30 minutes, according to regulatory documents.

Q: How long does the effect of Ketomag typically last?

A: The duration of effect for a single dose is tied to how quickly the active ingredient, Ketoprofen, is processed by the body. Official pharmacokinetic data describes the elimination half-life for immediate-release oral forms as roughly two hours. This duration is consistent with the required dosing interval, which is typically three or four times per day.

Q: Are there different strengths or forms of Ketomag available?

A: Yes, the active ingredient Ketoprofen is available in various dosage forms to suit different needs. These forms include immediate-release and extended-release oral capsules, available in various strengths. Non-oral forms, such as solutions for injection, are also manufactured.

Q: Why is the official name of the drug sometimes different from Ketomag?

A: Ketomag is the specific name given by the manufacturer (the brand name). The component that produces the therapeutic effect is called Ketoprofen. This is the official, non-proprietary name (INN) used by medical professionals and regulatory bodies worldwide to describe the active substance.

Q: Is Ketomag the same as [similar drug name]?

A: Ketomag contains the active ingredient Ketoprofen. Official documents classify it as a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that belongs to the propionic acid derivative chemical class. This classification defines its distinct molecular structure and regulatory profile, separating it from other drugs, even those within the same overall class.

Q: Why do some people call Ketomag a 'rescue' medication?

A: The immediate-release form of Ketomag is officially described for use on an as-needed (PRN) basis for the short-term management of acute pain. This use pattern—taking the medicine only when needed to manage sudden symptoms—distinguishes it from the continuous scheduled administration typically used for chronic conditions.

Q: Can I use Ketomag just 'as needed'?

A: Yes, regulatory documents indicate that the immediate-release oral form of Ketomag is used on an as-needed (PRN) basis for acute pain management. However, the extended-release formulation is specifically not indicated for this intermittent, acute use.

Q: Does Ketomag interact with any common vitamins or supplements?

A: Official regulatory product information lists specific interactions with many prescription drugs and alcohol. While vitamins and supplements are not often explicitly listed, official guidance advises checking for potential interactions with all concurrent products, including non-prescription items.

Q: Can women who are pregnant or breastfeeding use Ketomag?

A: Official warnings state that the use of Ketoprofen is prohibited during the third trimester of pregnancy due to documented risks to the fetus. For the first and second trimesters, use is generally avoided unless medically necessary. Limited official data is available regarding use while breastfeeding.

Q: What information is available about long-term use of Ketomag?

A: Regulatory documents include warnings that the risk of serious side effects, such as cardiovascular thrombotic events and gastrointestinal bleeding, may increase with the duration of use. Therefore, treatment is generally recommended to be administered for the shortest duration necessary.

Q: What if I miss using Ketomag at the usual time?

A: Official instructions typically state that if a scheduled dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped entirely, and the subsequent dose should not be doubled to compensate.

Q: How is Ketomag different from a magnesium supplement?

A: Ketomag is a pharmaceutical product containing the active ingredient Ketoprofen, which is formally classified as a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) and is regulated as a prescription medicine. This differs from a magnesium supplement, which is regulated as a dietary supplement and not as a prescription drug.

Q: Why is it important to check interactions with other medications before using Ketomag?

A: Regulatory information indicates that checking interactions is critical because using Ketomag with certain other drugs can lead to serious consequences. These include an increased risk of serious adverse effects, such as internal bleeding, or changes in the concentration of one or both medicines in the body, which could increase the risk of toxicity.

Q: Can Ketomag affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

A: Official documents describe that side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision have been documented. Official warnings state that due to these documented side effects, activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, should be avoided until the medicine’s effect is known.

How should Ketomag be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Ketomag?

This section outlines the official, label-based requirements for storing and discarding Ketomag, as defined by governmental regulatory authorities.

Storage Requirements

Storage Factor Official Mandate
Temperature Store at controlled room temperature (e.g., 20 C to 25 C). Keep from freezing.
Protection Store away from excess heat, moisture, and direct light.
Container Must be kept in the original container with the safety cap tightly closed.

Safety and Disposal

The product must be stored out of the sight and reach of children. Regarding disposal, regulatory guidance specifies that unused or expired Ketomag must not be thrown into household trash or poured down the drain. Users are directed to consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist for guidance on authorized methods, such as a local pharmaceutical waste or take-back program.

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

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