ketoprofen

• Risk factors: Older adults | History of peptic ulcer disease | History of stomach bleeding | Bleeding problems | Liver problems | Taking another NSAID at the same time | Taking other medications that raise your risk of bleeds | Taking ketoprofen for a long time | Drinking alcohol | Smoking

Taking ketoprofen can raise your risk of stomach problems, like inflammation, stomach ulcers (sores), and bleeding. These problems can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. They can happen at any time while you're taking ketoprofen.

Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about your medical conditions and any medications you take. They can check your risk for stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding with ketoprofen.

Let your prescriber know if you have gnawing pain in the stomach area, acid reflux, or feeling full quickly. These can be signs of a stomach ulcer. Stomach bleeding might not always cause symptoms, especially if it happens slowly over time. But get medical help right away if you feel faint, have severe stomach pain that doesn't go away, vomit blood, or have bloody or dark stools.

• Risk factors: Heart problems | Having risk factors for heart problems | Recent heart attack | Taking higher doses of ketoprofen | Taking ketoprofen for a long time | Recent or planned heart surgery

Ketoprofen might raise your risk of blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. If you have heart problems, including a recent heart attack, talk to your prescriber to make sure this medication is safe for you. Don't take ketoprofen if you recently had heart surgery or are planning to have one. Your risk is much higher right after surgery.

To lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, take the lowest dose of ketoprofen for the shortest time needed to relieve pain. Call 911 if you have signs of a heart attack, like chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; or sweating. Also, get medical help right away if you have a severe headache, weakness on one side of your body, a droopy face, or trouble speaking or walking. These can be signs of a stroke.

• Risk factors: High blood pressure | Heart problems

Ketoprofen can make your body hold onto extra fluid, which can raise your blood pressure. It can also cause swelling in your legs or feet. And too much fluid buildup can put you at risk for heart failure.

Tell your prescriber if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or heart failure. Also let them know if you're taking any medications for these conditions. Your prescriber can check whether ketoprofen is safe for you. People with severe heart failure should only take ketoprofen if the benefits are greater than the risks.

Talk to your primary care provider if your blood pressure stays higher than usual while taking ketoprofen. Also let them know if you notice swelling in your legs or ankles. Watch for other signs of heart failure like shortness of breath, chest pain with movement, sudden weight gain, and tiredness.

• Risk factors: Older adults | Kidney problems | Liver problems | Heart failure | Taking other medications that can harm the kidneys

Taking NSAIDs like ketoprofen for a long time can harm your kidneys. Your risk is higher if you have certain health conditions like kidney problems or heart failure. It's also higher if you take other medications that can cause kidney damage, like diuretics (water pills).

If you're at risk for kidney damage, your prescriber might check your kidney health with blood tests. Call your prescriber if you notice a change in how often you urinate, feel very tired, or have muscle cramps. These can be signs of kidney problems. You might need to stop taking ketoprofen if your kidneys get affected.

• Risk factors: History of liver problems

Some people who took NSAIDs, including ketoprofen, had higher liver enzyme levels in their blood. This could be a sign of liver damage. In rare cases, liver injury has led to serious problems like liver failure.

Get medical help right away if you have a swollen stomach, pain in the upper right side of your stomach, yellow skin or eyes, or changes in your stool (black, tarry, or bloody stools). These could be signs of liver damage. You might need to stop taking ketoprofen to prevent further harm.

• Risk factors: Taking with other blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) | Taking with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) | Blood-clotting problems

NSAIDs like ketoprofen can raise your risk for bleeding. Be careful if you take ketoprofen with other medications that make bleeding more likely. These can include blood thinners and certain antidepressants. Let a healthcare professional know if you bleed or bruise more easily or if it takes longer for bleeding to stop while you're taking ketoprofen.

• Risk factors: Allergy to aspirin | Allergy to NSAIDs | Aspirin-sensitive asthma | Asthma with rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose), with or without nasal polyps

It's possible to have a severe allergic reaction to ketoprofen. These reactions can be life-threatening and can include facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis. Don't take ketoprofen if you're allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs. You could also have an allergic reaction to ketoprofen. Call 911 right away if you have hives, swelling in your face, swelling of your lips or tongue, or trouble breathing after taking ketoprofen.

Rarely, ketoprofen can also cause serious skin reactions. These can include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Stop taking ketoprofen and get medical help as soon as possible if you have unusual skin changes, like rash, blisters, or skin peeling.

Ketoprofen can cause harm to an unborn baby, especially if it's taken in the second half of pregnancy (after week 20). It can raise the risk for serious complications, like heart or kidney problems in your unborn baby. Talk to your prescriber or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) about the risks and benefits of taking ketoprofen if you're pregnant.