Dexketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) . It is manufactured by Menarini, under the tradename Keral. It is available in the UK, as dexketoprofen trometamol, as a prescription-only drug and in Latin America as Enantyum, produced by Menarini. Also, in Italy and Spain it is available as an over-the-counter drug (OTC) under the trade name Enandol or Enantyum. In Hungary it is available from a pharmacy as Ketodex. In Turkey, it is an over the counter medicine under the name Arveles. In Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia it is available as an OTC under the tradename Dolmen.
Chemistry
Dexketoprofen is the (
S)-enantiomer of ketoprofen. Technically it is a
chiral switch of (±)-ketoprofen. The switch was done for a faster onset of action, a better therapeutic value.
Dexketoprofen consists of a
propionic acid moiety connected to a
benzophenone molecule by its second carbon.
Medical uses
Short-term treatment of mild to moderate
pain, including
dysmenorrhoea. It is also used for migraines and knee pain.
Side effects
It may cause dizziness, and patients should not, therefore, drive or operate heavy machinery or vehicles until they are familiar with how dexketoprofen affects them. Concomitant use of alcohol and other
may potentiate this effect. In a small subset of individuals the dizziness may be intolerable and require transition to an alternative treatment.
Pharmacology
Dexketoprofen belongs to a class of medicines called NSAIDs. It works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called
cyclo-oxygenase, which is involved in the production of chemicals in the body called
prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury or certain diseases and would otherwise go on to cause swelling, inflammation and pain. By blocking cyclo-oxygenase, dexketoprofen prevents the production of prostaglandins and therefore reduces inflammation and pain. Along with peripheral analgesic action, it possesses central analgesic action.
See also
