title: The safety of ketoprofen in different ages.
abstract: Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which acts by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX 1 and 2), an enzyme involved in the production of prostaglandins, messengers in the development of inflammation. All NSAIDs reduce signs of inflammation by blocking this enzyme and therefore prostaglandin production. In Calabria, 3.69% of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported in the National Network of Pharmacovigilance concerns the use of ketoprofen; only in one case in which the patient was under the age of 12 years, hospitalization was required for severe episode of pancreatitis. In Italy, Ketoprofen is the 6(th) drug for ADRs incidence (560 ADRs in the year 2012, of which, 31% are severe). Despite the high rate of spontaneous reporting, it must be considered that ketoprofen is one of the most used NSAIDs; therefore, as it happens for other commonly used drugs (eg, amoxicillin), the total number of ADRs should be related to the therapeutic use. However, it remains the problem of fragile patients (eg, children) and the safety of the drug in different ages. This paper presents a retrospective study on 2012 ADRs reviewing literature on the safety of ketoprofen in the elderly, children, and during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro and Pharmacovigilance's Centre Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro and Pharmacovigilance's Centre Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierandrea
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rende
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro and Pharmacovigilance's Centre Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comberiati
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro and Pharmacovigilance's Centre Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carnovale
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro and Pharmacovigilance's Centre Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mammì
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro and Pharmacovigilance's Centre Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovambattista
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Sarro
keywords: Adverse events; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; pharmacovigilance; safety