Festam

Indications

Ketoprofen relieves pain and inflammation (swelling, heat and stiffness). It is used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory back arthritis), acute gout attacks, muscle and joint pain, sprains, back pain, period pain, and pain after dental work or surgery. The gel is used on the skin for local pain from sprains, strains and joint or muscle pain.

How It Works

Ketoprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). It blocks the COX enzymes that make prostaglandins, natural chemicals that cause pain, swelling and fever.

Dosage and Administration

• Capsules or tablets, adults: usually 50 mg two or three times a day, or 100 mg twice a day.
• Sustained-release (SR) forms: usually 100 to 200 mg once a day. Swallow whole; do not crush or chew.
• Do not take more than 200 mg in a day.
• Gel: apply a thin layer to the painful area 2 or 3 times a day and rub in gently, usually for no more than 7 days unless the doctor advises.
• Injection: given by a doctor or nurse.

Take tablets and capsules with or after food, with a glass of water. Use the lowest dose that works for the shortest time. Children: only as prescribed.

Interactions

Do not take with other NSAIDs, including Aspirin for pain. Bleeding risk is higher with blood thinners such as Warfarin, steroids such as Prednisolone, and SSRI antidepressants. Ketoprofen can weaken the effect of blood pressure medicines and diuretics (water tablets) and, with them, can harm the kidneys. It can raise the levels of Lithium and Methotrexate.

Contraindications

• Allergy to ketoprofen, or asthma, hives or a runny nose triggered by Aspirin or other NSAIDs.
• A current or past stomach ulcer or stomach bleeding.
• Severe heart failure, or severe liver or kidney disease.
• The last 3 months of pregnancy.
• Gel: broken or infected skin, eczema at the site, or a past skin reaction to sunlight after using ketoprofen or similar products.

Side Effects

Common: indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea, headache and dizziness. Gel: redness and itching at the site, and sensitivity to sunlight.

Get urgent medical help if you have:

• Black or tarry stools, vomiting blood, or severe stomach pain.
• Wheezing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or a severe rash with blisters.
• Chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of the body, or slurred speech.
• Passing much less urine than usual, or swelling of the legs.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Avoid during pregnancy unless a doctor advises it, especially from 20 weeks onwards; it must not be used in the last 3 months. Avoid while breastfeeding unless a doctor advises it; ask about a suitable alternative.

Precautions and Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are elderly or have heart disease, high blood pressure, a past stroke, asthma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of stomach problems. Long use or high doses raise the risk of stomach bleeding, heart attack and stroke. Gel: wash your hands after use, keep it away from the eyes, and protect the treated skin from sunlight (including sunbeds) during use and for 2 weeks after stopping.

Overdose

Too much may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness and headache, and rarely stomach bleeding, kidney problems or fits. Seek medical help promptly.

Therapeutic Class

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), propionic acid group.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.