Ketoprofen (gel): instructions for use. Ketoprofen: application, price, reviews and analogues

Inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal are considered a fairly common problem. Such ailments are accompanied by pain, which, fortunately, at least partially can be removed with the help of medicines. Quite a good local drug is "Ketoprofen" (gel). Instructions for use, indications and contraindications, patient feedback and possible side reactions are the main issues that are of interest to many patients.

Composition and form of the drug

This product is available in the form of a colorless transparent gel with a light texture. The main active substance in this case is ketoprofen. In one gram of the medication contains 25 or 50 mg of this component (2.5% or 5%) - the doctor will help you determine the correct dosage.

Of course, some auxiliary substances are present in the composition, including ethanol, carbopol, purified water, trolamine and lavender oil. The gel is placed in aluminum tubes for 30 or 50 g.

By the way, there are other forms of release of the drug "Ketoprofen" - injections (solution for injections in ampoules) and tablets. But these types of drugs affect the body not locally, but systemically. In case of serious problems, doctors often prescribe a combination of gel and tablets or injections.

What are the pharmacological properties of the drug?

This drug belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Its effect is related to the ability of ketoprofen to inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, which regulate the synthesis of prostaglandins. Thus, the gel has a local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect.

If the patient has articular syndrome, this gel also reduces the characteristic morning stiffness, relieves swelling from the joints and reduces the severity of arthralgia at rest and during movement. However, the drug does not have a catabolic effect on articular cartilage.

The medicine acts locally, penetrates into the systemic circulation very slowly and at low concentrations. Bioavailability of ketoprofen is not more than 5%.

Indications for use

Many patients are interested in the question of in which cases it is advisable to use the drug "Ketoprofen". Its use is indicated in the presence of the following disorders:

• Acute and chronic forms of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including sciatica, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, lumbago, exacerbations of gout with articular syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, sciatica, osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome, inflammation of tendons and ligaments;
• Post-traumatic inflammation of soft tissues and elements of the musculoskeletal system, including bruises, ruptures and ligament damage;
• Pain in muscles of various origins, including rheumatic.

It is worth noting that this drug is intended only to eliminate symptoms and local slowing of the inflammatory process. It can not substitute full-fledged therapy and does not affect the further progression of the disease.

Ketoprofen (gel): instructions for use

The drug should be applied to clean dry skin, rubbing it with gentle massage movements until completely absorbed. The dosage is determined individually by the attending physician. Nevertheless, adults and teenagers over 12 years, as a rule, are recommended to apply no more than 3-5 cm of gel at a time. The procedure can be repeated three times a day.

For the treatment of children aged 6 to 12 years, use no more than 1-2 cm of the gel no more often than twice a day. The duration of therapy in most cases is about 1-2 weeks. Longer use is possible only with the permission of the doctor.

Are there any contraindications to use?

Do all categories of patients can use the drug "Ketoprofen" (gel)? Instruction for use indicates that this drug has a number of contraindications.

It is not prescribed to people with hypersensitivity to ketoprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances. The gel should never be applied to damaged skin (for example, wounds, scratches, infected abrasions, eczema, wet dermatoses are a contraindication).

Separately, we should talk about women waiting for the child. The gel should never be used in the third trimester of pregnancy. But during the first and second trimester, its use is allowed if the expected benefit for the mother exceeds the possible risks to the growing fetus. The gel should not be used during lactation (if therapy is mandatory, it is recommended that breastfeeding be interrupted for a while). The medicine has some age limitations - it is not prescribed for children under the age of 6 years.

Contraindications also include a combination of recurrent pollinosis, bronchial asthma and intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid, as well as some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

With caution, the drug is used to treat people suffering from chronic heart failure, hepatic porphyria, bronchial asthma, erosion and tongue of the digestive tract, expressed violations of the liver and kidneys.

Side effects and possible complications

Are there any complications that can occur against the background of treatment with the drug Ketoprofen (gel)? Instructions for use say that side effects are possible, although they are very rare.

For the most part, complications are associated with allergic reactions, which are manifested by skin rashes, redness and itching. Rarely on the background of therapy develop hives, eczema, allergic dermatitis, exanthema, purpura, photodermatitis and skin hyperemia. Very rarely occurs stomatitis. No cases of systemic adverse reactions were reported.

How much does the drug cost?

For many patients, the cost of a particular medicine is very important. And often they are interested in the question of how much will cost the drug "Ketoprofen" (gel). The price will depend on many factors, including the dose of the active ingredient, the volume of the tube, the manufacturer, the financial policy of the pharmacy, etc. All these factors need to be taken into account.

So how much does the medication "Ketoprofen" (gel) cost on average? The price of a tube with 30 g of gel and active substance concentration of 2.5% ranges from 55 to 65 rubles. The cost of packing with 50 g of gel is 70-80 rubles. A little more expensive is a drug with a concentration of 5% - for 30 g of this drug will need to pay about 100-120 rubles. Agree that this amount can hardly be called large, as other popular anti-inflammatory drugs are much more expensive.

Gel "Ketoprofen": analogs and substitutes

In some cases, this drug is not suitable for patients. Therefore, many are interested in the question of what can replace the gel "Ketoprofen".

Analogues of this drug, of course, exist, and in the modern pharmaceutical market you can find a mass of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments. But, again, do not engage in self-treatment - appoint a substitute can only the attending physician.

By the way, according to statistics, to date, the most popular is "Ketoprofen Verte gel" from the Russian manufacturer. But the same effect has such well-known and advertised means as "Fastum-gel" and "Ketonal". To the list of analogues can be attributed "Bystrumgel", "Artrum", "Fleksen", "Ketospray" and "Flamex." You can choose the right medicine from foreign pharmaceutical companies, for example, "Artrozilen" or "Febrofid".

Reviews of doctors and patients

In modern medical practice, "Ketoprofen" (gel) is often used. The doctors' comments about him are mostly positive, as the gel perfectly copes with its main task, while rarely causing any side effects.

Patients who have already had time to use this drug, also for the most part leave positive reviews. For many, this gel has become an integral part of the home medicine chest. Patients note that the pain begins to subside after the first application. Gel is quickly and easily absorbed, leaving no oily traces on the skin and clothing. The undoubted advantage of the medication is its low cost, since analogues, especially imported ones, are several times more expensive. Moreover, the gel is consumed slowly, therefore one tube, as a rule, suffices for a long time. The disadvantages include the fact that not every pharmacy sells this drug - sometimes it can be really difficult to find.

Naturally, there are patients who "Ketoprofen" did not help or caused side reactions. But it is worthwhile to understand that the organism of each person is individual - one can never accurately foresee what effect this or that drug will give.