Ketosol

Quick links to important sections

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

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 Ketosol

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Ketoprofen
Form Solution for injection (Ampoule)
Pharmacological class Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Common use Acute pain, Inflammation, Fever
Origin Synthetic, Propionic acid derivative

Ketosol is a powerful, prescription-only medicine defined by its single active ingredient, Ketoprofen. It is classified as a Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a major pharmacological class used for the effective acute management of pain and swelling.


What Type of Medicine is Ketosol and What is its Composition?

Ketosol belongs to the Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class. Its active ingredient is the potent synthetic compound Ketoprofen.

Chemically, Ketoprofen is categorized as a propionic acid derivative. Ketoprofen is clinically recognized for its high potency compared to other NSAIDs. As a single-ingredient product, Ketosol is administered via the parenteral route as a sterile solution for injection (ampoule), which ensures rapid, systemic delivery.


What is the General Purpose of Ketosol?

The general purpose of Ketosol is to provide rapid and combined relief from pain, inflammation, and fever through its foundational analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects.

The drug's function is centered on managing intense symptomatic manifestations, such as severe musculoskeletal pain or post-traumatic pain. Ketoprofen is a medication with a rapid onset of action. By addressing these three core symptoms simultaneously, Ketosol offers comprehensive symptomatic control required during critical phases of care.


How Does Ketosol Differ from Other Pain Medicines?

Ketosol is primarily differentiated by the high potency of its Ketoprofen component and its presentation as a solution for injection, positioning it for rapid systemic effect.

While many common medications also contain NSAIDs, the presentation of Ketosol via the parenteral route makes it particularly suitable for acute settings requiring swift and reliable bioavailability of the active ingredient. This formulation is preferred for the specialized, acute management of significant symptoms where oral absorption may not be quick or effective enough to address intense pain and inflammation.

What side effects are possible with Ketosol?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information for Ketosol

This section summarizes the officially documented safety profile of the medicine as structured by government regulatory authorities.

Adverse effects are documented and classified according to two main regulatory standards: by their frequency of occurrence in clinical studies and by the System Organ Class (SOC)—the body system they affect (e.g., gastrointestinal, nervous system, or skin disorders).

Regulatory Safety Categories

Classification Type Definition in Official Documents
Frequency-Classified Reactions Adverse reactions are listed using a formal scale (e.g., Very Common, Common, Uncommon) to indicate their incidence based on clinical trial data.
System-Organ Classes (SOCs) Adverse effects are grouped by the biological system or organ they involve to provide an organized view of risk.
Serious Adverse Reactions Effects that meet specific criteria (e.g., life-threatening, resulting in hospitalization, or leading to significant disability) and are separately noted in the official safety text.

Safety Restrictions and Monitoring

Regulatory documents define specific populations and conditions where the use of the medicine is formally restricted or prohibited. These Contraindications are established due to an unacceptable safety risk in that context (e.g., specific co-existing diseases). The official safety profile may also include high-level notes regarding scenarios that require particular caution or safety monitoring, such as in patients with existing organ impairment.

Safety data is continuously monitored and updated based on post-marketing surveillance to ensure the formal safety profile remains current and fully reflects the medicine’s known risk profile across all authorized uses.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Ketosol (ketorolac tromethamine) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and symptoms following an acute overdose are typically limited to lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. These less severe manifestations are generally reversible with supportive care. Gastrointestinal bleeding can also occur following a large oral overdose.

Immediate medical attention is necessary if signs of a more severe reaction occur. While rare, documented severe presentations include hypertension, acute renal failure, respiratory depression, and coma. Anaphylactoid reactions, a form of severe allergic response, have also been reported and are a medical emergency.

Patients who have experienced an overdose should be managed with symptomatic and supportive care, as there are no specific antidotes. For a known large oral overdose, activated charcoal may be indicated if administered within approximately four hours of ingestion. Older adults are known to be at a greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events with NSAID use and should be monitored closely.

Therapeutic Uses of Ketosol

Ketosol is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed for symptoms related to physical discomfort. It offers supportive therapeutic benefit in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, and supports patients during episodes of heightened discomfort. The active ingredient is commonly used to help with symptoms related to physical discomfort.

It is relevant in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and acute gouty arthritis, and is useful in scenarios where symptoms escalate temporarily, such as with soft tissue injuries. The medication plays a role in managing symptoms that interfere with daily comfort. It provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden when symptoms become more noticeable.

This approach contributes to easing the overall symptom load and supports general well-being during phases when the patient experiences heightened discomfort, assisting with maintaining functional stability.


Quick Fact: Relevant for Acute Symptomatic Flares Ketosol is commonly used when groups of symptoms appear suddenly or fluctuate, providing symptomatic relief for the triad of pain, inflammation, and fever. It is applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required, such as in post-procedural or traumatic contexts.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview of Ketoprofen

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who Can and Cannot Use Ketosol — Official Regulatory Information

Regulatory documentation defines strict eligibility rules for Ketosol (Ketoprofen Parenteral), primarily allowing its use in the adult population for labeled indications.

Eligibility Status Populations & Conditions (Official Labeling)
CONTRAINDICATED Active gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding; severe heart, hepatic, or renal disease; known allergy to Ketoprofen or other NSAIDs/Aspirin; third trimester of pregnancy; pain relief surrounding Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.
NOT RECOMMENDED Children under 12 years of age (safety/efficacy not established); women who are breastfeeding; first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

Age and Organ Function Eligibility Rules

Use in the pediatric population (under 18 years) is generally not established by regulators. Older adults may use the medicine but require close monitoring due to an increased risk of adverse effects, especially regarding renal function [Source 2.1, 1.3].

For patients with existing renal or hepatic impairment, the medicine is contraindicated in severe cases; use in moderate impairment requires caution and adjustment, as specified by official prescribing information [Source 1.2, 3.2].

Connection to the overall eligibility profile: Official regulatory documents define non-eligibility by establishing absolute contraindications related to cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal integrity, and organ function severity. For all other patients, the eligibility remains conditional, requiring special consideration for age and pre-existing comorbidities as detailed in the official label.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The official regulatory profile for Ketosol (Ketoprofen) focuses on classifying co-administered substances into domains that reflect either synergistic adverse effects or formal modifications to drug exposure.

Contraindicated and High-Risk Combinations

Ketosol is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery. Co-administration with other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including concurrent high-dose Aspirin, is not generally recommended due to the documented potential for increased adverse effects and additive bleeding risk. The combination with Probenecid is not recommended as this agent significantly reduces Ketoprofen's plasma clearance, leading to increased systemic exposure.

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Effects

Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin) present a synergistic effect that increases the formal risk of serious Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Ketosol modifies the clearance of other drugs; for instance, concurrent use with Lithium results in an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance. Combining Ketosol with Diuretics or ACE-Inhibitors/ARBs may formally diminish the antihypertensive or natriuretic effect of those agents and increase the documented risk of renal failure. The use of Alcohol creates an officially documented additive risk for GI ulceration and hemorrhage.

Population-Specific Considerations

Elderly Patients are documented to be at greater risk for serious GI adverse events when co-administered with other risk factors. Patients with Hepatic or Renal Dysfunction may experience altered pharmacokinetics of Ketoprofen, which necessitates close monitoring according to official prescribing information.

Mechanism of Action

The Mechanism of Ketosol

Ketosol's mechanism of action centers on its role as a non-selective competitive inhibitor of the Cyclooxygenase-1 ( COX-1) and Cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) enzymes. This inhibition suppresses the metabolism of arachidonic acid, halting the synthesis of key downstream lipid mediators, including prostaglandins and thromboxanes.

This molecular interaction initiates a cascade that modulates several physiological processes. The reduced availability of Prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) limits the transmission of peripheral pain signals by decreasing the sensitization of nociceptors. Additionally, PGE2 synthesis is suppressed in the hypothalamus, which modulates the central thermoregulation set-point of the body. Furthermore, the decrease in these mediators limits localized vascular changes associated with increased permeability and vasodilation.

As a constraint of this mechanism, the inhibition of the constitutive COX-1 enzyme interferes with prostaglandin synthesis required for maintaining gastric mucosal integrity and renal homeostatic function.

Dosage and Administration Information

The use of Ketosol, which contains the active ingredient Ketoprofen, involves its available human formulations: Oral Capsules (immediate-release or extended-release) and Topical preparations.

Administration Scope

Feature Guideline
Route of Administration Oral (PO) for systemic delivery; Topical (Gel, Plaster) for localized use
Dosing Schedule Immediate-Release (IR): 50 mg four times a day (QID) or 75 mg three times a day (TID) for chronic conditions; 25–50 mg every 6–8 hours for acute use. Extended-Release (ER): 200 mg once daily (QD)
Max Daily Dose 300 mg for IR capsules; 200 mg for ER capsules
Timing in Relation to Meals May be taken with food, milk, or an antacid to help mitigate gastrointestinal effects
Age-Group Rules Treatment for older adults and debilitated patients should be initiated at the lowest recommended dose

Official Procedural Conditions

Specific rules apply for proper administration. The Extended-Release (ER) capsule is not recommended for acute pain and is reserved for long-term scheduled management. Both IR and ER capsules must be swallowed whole and should not be crushed or chewed, as this compromises the intended drug release profile. The co-administration of both the IR and ER forms is not recommended.

Special attention is required for patients with impaired organ function. For individuals with severe renal impairment or certain types of hepatic impairment, the maximum daily dose is restricted to 100 mg.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Ketosol: Recent Clinical Evidence

Overview of Studies

Clinical research on Ketosol focuses on evaluating its profile in chronic pain management and acute pain relief. The drug's studied action involves a mechanism that explores the inhibition of specific inflammatory signaling pathways, which is thought to interrupt the pain response at the site of inflammation.

Key efficacy data come primarily from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews focused on surgical and musculoskeletal pain.


Efficacy and Pain Relief Metrics

Meta-analyses of RCTs have evaluated Ketosol's effect on postoperative pain, specifically following procedures such as lumbar spinal surgery. Measures used in these studies include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity and the requirement for rescue analgesia, such as opioids (Postoperative Morphine Requirements, PMR).

  • Acute Pain Reduction: In the 0–6 hour period following surgery, Ketosol administration was associated with a statistically significant reduction in mean VAS pain scores compared to control groups.
  • Opioid Sparing: Studies exploring combination therapy, where Ketosol was used alongside other analgesics, showed an association with a reduction in PMR, suggesting an opioid-sparing effect in the studied population.

Safety and Subgroup Analysis

The safety profile of Ketosol has been examined across various patient populations, with a focus on long-term tolerability and specific organ function.

Assessment Area Research Focus
Tolerability Incidence of common adverse events (e.g., nausea, vomiting, pruritus) was generally comparable to controls in short-term studies.
Long-Term Use Safety data from long-term, open-label studies have been collected and analyzed to assess the potential risk of adverse events over extended treatment periods.
Impaired Function Clinical trials have explored the pharmacokinetics of the drug in individuals with mild-to-moderate renal or hepatic impairment to determine how metabolism might be affected in these specific populations.

Further research is ongoing to fully evaluate the long-term safety profile and define the drug's role in a wider range of chronic pain conditions.

Key Studies & References

  1. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Acute Postoperative Pain

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Ketosol (FAQ)


Q: Is Ketosol considered a first-line treatment for its main uses?

A: For the management of acute pain, official clinical practice guidelines often recommend Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ketosol as a first-line treatment option. This reflects its recognized role in providing initial relief for symptoms such as acute musculoskeletal pain.


Q: Is Ketosol meant for short-term or long-term use?

A: Official regulatory documents generally describe that medications like Ketosol are used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration. This principle is described as intended to minimize the risk of serious side effects. For some specific uses, official information, such as that for over-the-counter preparations, limits treatment to a period of 10 days.


Q: What is the maximum duration of use for Ketosol?

A: Official prescribing guidelines note that Ketosol is intended for use for the shortest duration necessary to achieve relief. The maximum recommended duration varies based on the formulation and use, with some over-the-counter preparations specifying a limit of 10 days for pain.


Q: What are the most common side effects of Ketosol that people report?

A: The official product information includes a list of frequently reported side effects. These common effects often involve the gastrointestinal system, such as nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Other reported common side effects include headache, dizziness, and somnolence, which means feeling sleepy or drowsy.


Q: Are there any known serious or rare side effects of Ketosol?

A: Yes, regulatory agencies have issued warnings regarding serious, potentially fatal, risks. These risks include an increased likelihood of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, there is a documented risk of serious gastrointestinal problems, such as bleeding, ulceration, or perforation.


Q: What should I look for that indicates a serious reaction to Ketosol?

A: Official patient information describes several signs that may indicate a serious reaction. These include symptoms of internal bleeding, such as black or tarry stools, vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds, or unexplained abdominal pain. Other signs relate to cardiovascular events, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, or weakness on one side of the body.


Q: Is the feeling of nausea while taking Ketosol considered normal?

A: Yes, official safety information lists nausea as one of the common side effects reported by patients taking Ketosol. Although common, official documents note that all side effects require observation.


Q: How often do people experience a specific side effect like dizziness with Ketosol?

A: Dizziness is formally listed in regulatory documents as a common side effect of Ketosol. Common adverse reactions are defined as those occurring in a certain percentage of patients in clinical trials, indicating they are frequently reported.


Q: Is it safe to drive or operate machinery while taking Ketosol?

A: Official safety information states that Ketosol may cause side effects such as drowsiness (somnolence) or dizziness, which could potentially impair mental alertness and motor skills. Official safety information indicates that individuals should be aware of how the medication affects them before operating heavy machinery or driving.


Q: What are the general instructions if a single dose of Ketosol is missed?

A: According to general recommendations in official labeling, if a scheduled dose is missed, regulatory guidance is to take it as soon as it is recalled. However, it is noted that two doses should not be taken at the same time or doubled to make up for the missed one.


Q: How should Ketosol be stored to maintain its effectiveness?

A: According to the official regulatory documents, the oral capsule formulation of Ketosol should be stored at controlled room temperature, generally between 20 C and 25 C (68 F and 77 F). The container is required to be kept tightly closed to protect the medication. Reviewing the specific packaging instructions for the product received is recommended.


Q: Is Ketosol available as a liquid form if swallowing pills is difficult?

A: Official regulatory prescribing information lists the authorized forms of Ketosol as oral capsules, topical preparations, and a solution for injection. A dedicated, commercially available oral liquid formulation designed for easy swallowing is not listed in the standard product information.


Q: Is Ketosol a controlled substance?

A: Based on information from U.S. regulatory agencies, Ketosol (Ketoprofen) is generally not classified as a controlled substance. It is designated as a prescription-only medication but does not carry the additional scheduling designation of controlled medications.

How should Ketosol be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Requirements

Official regulatory documents mandate strict conditions for storing Ketosol (Ketoprofen injection) to maintain its stability. The product must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25 C and should explicitly not be refrigerated or frozen. Protection from light is required; therefore, the medicine must be kept in its original outer carton.

Once the vial is initially punctured (first use), the contents have a limited in-use stability period and must be used within 28 days, after which any remainder must be discarded.

For safety, the injection must be kept out of the sight and reach of children. All unused or expired product must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements for pharmaceutical waste and should not be placed in household waste or flushed down the toilet.

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

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Ketosol found in:

A-Z Index: