Ketoprofen cream is just one of the forms of administration available for a drug that people use as an analgesic and antipyretic. This means that its role is to relieve pain and reduce fever, respectively. In a few countries, ketoprofen cream is referred to as Fastum. Ketoprofen's most popular form, however, is as a capsule, typically manufactured in 50-, 75- and 200-milligram doses. Other forms in addition to the cream and capsules include liquid spray and intravenous liquid.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the pharmaceutical category that ketoprofen cream is placed under. This is because in addition to its painkilling and antipyretic effects, it acts as an anti-inflammatory drug in larger doses. Its capabilities as an NSAID enables ketoprofen cream to be applied to several medical conditions. It is most commonly used, though, for rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disorder that affects the joints, tissues and organs; and osteoarthritis, a degenerative disorder that involves breakdown of the lining of joints. Ketoprofen cream works by halting the body's production of prostaglandin, a lipid compound that causes pain, fever and inflammation.
Ketoprofen cream may cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, mouth sores or nervousness. It may also generate more serious signs such as fever, lack of energy, swelling, rashes or blisters, weight gain, vision or eye problems, increased heartbeat or weight gain. Occurrence of any of the latter side effects demands an immediate visit to the doctor.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the arm of the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for regulating the country's pharmaceuticals, approved ketoprofen on 22 December 1992. Ketoprofen goes by the Orudis and Oruvail brand names in the U.S. The FDA places Ketoprofen in the middling category C of its classification system of pharmaceutical risk to the fetus. This means that despite potential risk, pregnant women can use the medication since there is a lack of sufficient studies of the drug's effect on humans. Pregnant women in their third trimester, however, are more carefully monitored, as physicians believe they are at increased risk.
Ketoprofen cream is used in several other countries. The United Kingdom shares the Oruvail brand name with the U.S., and also uses Ketoflam. Other countries that have approved Ketoprofen include Croatia, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Venezuela. The drug goes by many other brand names in these countries, including Arthril, Ketonal, Ketorin, Keto, Ketomex, Ketoprofenum, Knavon, Oki and Zon.