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.