Clinical and methodological studies on intramuscular ketoprofen in postoperative rheumatic pain

Ketoprofen (Kp), given intramuscularly to 15 patients with chronic arthritis on the day after elective joint surgery (13), or during bouts of extreme pain (2), resulted in satisfactory pain relief, and seemed able to replace opiates. A new assay method for plasma Kp, based on gas chromatography/high resolution mass fragmentography is described, which permits determination of Kp even in the presence of probenecid. Kp was rapidly absorbed and peak plasma levels of 10.2 to 18.6 mumol/l were attained within 30 min. Probenecid did not interfere with the elimination of Kp.