NSAID (S-enantiomer of ketoprofen)
Dexketoprofen
Brand names: Keral, Sympal
Adult dose
Dose: 12.5mg q4–6h or 25mg q8h (max 75mg/day); IV/IM 50mg q8–12h
Route: Oral / IV / IM
Frequency: q4–8h PRN
Clinical pearls
- NICE NG100 acute pain: NSAID lowest dose, shortest duration
- CV / renal warnings — MHRA
- IV form useful for short-term post-operative analgesia
Contraindications
- Active GI bleeding
- Severe heart failure
- Severe renal/hepatic impairment
- Last trimester pregnancy
- Aspirin/NSAID hypersensitivity
Side effects
- GI ulceration/bleeding
- Renal impairment
- CV events
- Hypertension
- Bronchospasm
- Hypersensitivity
Interactions
- Anticoagulants/antiplatelets
- Lithium
- Methotrexate
- ACEi/ARB + diuretic ("triple whammy")
Monitoring
- BP
- Renal function
- FBC
- GI symptoms
Reference: BNF; NICE NG100; NICE CKS NSAIDs; MHRA; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/dexketoprofen/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus · BAD; EULAR
- Osteoporosis / Fragility Fracture · NOGG 2021; NICE NG147; NG224
- Arteritic AION (Giant Cell Arteritis) · RCOphth; BSR
- Osteoarthritis Hip / Knee Management · NICE NG226 (2022)
- Lupus Nephritis · EULAR/ERA-EDTA 2019; KDIGO 2024
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Management · NICE CG79 2018 / EULAR 2022