Pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen in the elderly

Pharmacokinetic constants of ketoprofen (Orodis, Profenid) were determined in 10 young adults (24.9 +/- 1.3 years) and seven elderly patients (86.3 +/- 2.4). Following oral administration of a 150 mg dose of ketoprofen, no difference in tmax was observed between the two groups. However, compared with younger subjects elderly patients showed a significant increase in t1/2,z (2.72 +/- 0.22 vs 1.77 +/- 0.16 h; P less than 0.01) and AUC (70.4 +/- 6.4 vs 29.13 +/- 2.02 mg l-1 h; P less than 0.001), a non-significant reduction of Vd/F per kg bodyweight (0.145 +/- 0.016 vs 0.213 +/- 0.028 l kg-1) and a decrease in total clearance CLT/F (0.037 +/- 0.002 vs 0.071 +/- 0.004 l h-1 kg-1, P less than 0.05). These results suggest that the glucuroconjugation of ketoprofen is slowed down by age.