Chemical formula: C₁₆H₁₄O₃ Molecular mass: 254.281 g/mol PubChem compound: 667550
Dexketoprofen belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group of drugs.
The mechanism of action of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs is related to the reduction of prostaglandin synthesis by the inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathway. Specifically, there is an inhibition of the transformation of arachidonic acid into cyclic endoperoxides, PGG2 and PGH2, which produce prostaglandins PGE1, PGE2, PGF2α and PGD2 and also prostacyclin PGI2 and thromboxanes (TxA2 and TxB2). Furthermore, the inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandins could affect other inflammation mediators such as kinins, causing an indirect action which would be additional to the direct action.
Dexketoprofen has been demonstrated to be an inhibitor for COX-1 and COX-2 activities in experimental animals and humans.
After oral administration of dexketoprofen trometamol to humans, the Cmax is reached at 30 min (range 15 to 60 min).
When administered concomitantly with food, the AUC does not change, however the Cmax of dexketoprofen decreases and its absorption rate is delayed (increased tmax).
After intramuscular administration of dexketoprofen trometamol to humans, the peak concentrations are reached at 20 minutes (range 10 to 45 min). For 25 to 50 mg single doses the area under the curve has been shown to be dose proportional after both intramuscular and intravenous administration.
The distribution half-life and elimination half-life values of dexketoprofen are 0.35 and 1.65 hours, respectively. As with other drugs with a high plasma protein binding (99%), its volume of distribution has a mean value below 0.25 l/kg.
In multiple-dose pharmacokinetic studies, it was observed that the AUC after the last administration is not different from that obtained following a single dose, indicating that no drug accumulation occurs.
As with other medicinal products with a high plasma protein binding (99%), the volume of distribution has a mean value below 0.25 l/kg. The distribution half-life was approximately 0.35 hours and the elimination half-life ranged between 1–2.7 hours.
In multiple-dose pharmacokinetic studies, it was observed that Cmax and AUC after the last intramuscular or intravenous administration were not different from that obtained following a single dose, indicating that no drug accumulation occurs.
After administration of dexketoprofen trometamol only the S-(+) enantiomer is obtained in urine, demonstrating that no conversion to the R-(-) enantiomer occurs in humans.
The main elimination route for dexketoprofen is glucuronide conjugation followed by renal excretion.
In healthy elderly subjects (65 years and older), exposure was significantly higher than in young volunteers after single and repeated oral doses (up to 55%) whereas there was no statistically significant difference in peak concentrations and time to reach peak concentration. The mean elimination half-life was prolonged after single and repeated doses (up to 48%), and the apparent total clearance was reduced
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, genotoxicity and immunopharmacology. The chronic toxicity studies carried out in mice and monkeys gave a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) at doses 2 fold higher than maximum recommended human dose. In monkey, at higher doses, the main adverse effect observed were blood in faeces, decreased body weight gain and, at the highest dose, erosive gastrointestinal lesions. These effects appeared at doses determining a drug exposure 14-18 fold higher than that at the maximum recommended human dose.
There are not studies on the carcinogenic potential in animals.
As it has been recognised for the whole pharmacological class of NSAIDs, dexketoprofen trometamol may cause changes of embryo-foetal survival in animal models, both indirectly, through the gastrointestinal toxicity on the pregnant mothers, and directly upon the development of the foetus.
© All content on this website, including data entry, data processing, decision support tools, "RxReasoner" logo and graphics, is the intellectual property of RxReasoner and is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of any part of this content without explicit written permission from RxReasoner is strictly prohibited. Any third-party content used on this site is acknowledged and utilized under fair use principles.
