Ketoprofen Uses

When it comes to ketoprofen, uses of the medication include the treatment of arthritis symptoms, general pain relief, and the relief of painful menstrual periods. The drug has not been approved for use in children. Examples of off-label ketoprofen uses include the treatment of symptoms associated with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and gout.

 

Ketoprofen Uses: An Overview

Ketoprofen is a medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to pain, fever inflammation, swelling, stiffness, or a combination of these.
 
Specific ketoprofen uses include the relief of:
 
  • General pain, such as for pain following a medical procedure, from straining a muscle, or caused by inflammation in a tendon (tendonitis) or bursa (bursitis). Ketoprofen can also be used to treat mild to moderate pain, such as lower back pain, neck pain, or leg pain.
     
  • Arthritis symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and swelling. Ketoprofen can be used to treat several different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; however, it does not cure these types of arthritis.
     
  • Painful menstrual periods.
     

How Does Ketoprofen Work?

Ketoprofen and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are thought to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins. It is believed that by blocking the effects of prostaglandins, ketoprofen is useful for reducing pain related to bone, muscle, or tendon injury or inflammation; reducing fever; and alleviating pain and joint swelling associated with different forms of arthritis and other conditions.
 
(Ketoprofen Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;