Dexketoprofen

Other NSAIDs (including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors) and high doses of salicylates (≥3 g/day): administration of several NSAIDs together may increase the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding, via a synergistic effect.

NSAIDs may enhance the effects of anti-coagulants, such as warfarin, due to the high plasma protein binding of dexketoprofen and the inhibition of platelet function and damage to the gastroduodenal mucosa. If the combination cannot be avoided, close clinical observation and monitoring of laboratory values should be carried out.

Τhere is an increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding.

The initial dosage should be reduced to 50 mg total daily dose in patients with mildly impaired renal function (creatinine clearance 60-89 ml/min).

Patients with mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction should start therapy at reduced doses (50 mg total daily dose) and be closely monitored.

NSAIDs can increase the hypoglycaemic effect of sulfonylureas by displacement from plasma protein binding sites.

Increased risk of haemorrhage (due to the inhibition of platelet function and damage to the gastroduodenal mucosa). If the combination cannot be avoided, close clinical observation and monitoring of laboratory values should be carried out.

Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Increased risk of bleeding.

NSAIDs may increase plasma glycoside concentration.

Caution is required in patients receiving diuretic therapy or those who could develop hypovolaemia as there is an increased risk of nephrotoxicity.

Dexketoprofen may reduce the effect of diuretics and antihypertensive drugs. In some patients with compromised renal function (e.g. dehydrated patients or elderly patients with compromised renal function), the coadministration of agents that inhibit cyclo-oxygenase and ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists or antibacterial aminoglycosides may result in further deterioration of renal function, which is usually reversible. In case of combined prescription of dexketoprofen and a diuretic, it is essential to ensure that the patient is adequately hydrated and to monitor renal function at the start of the treatment.

Treatment with a NSAID may decrease their antihypertensive effect via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

Animal data indicate that high doses of quinolones in combination with NSAIDs can increase the risk of developing convulsions.

The toxic effects of these substances may be increased.

As with other NSAIDs, the use of dexketoprofen may impair female fertility and is not recommended in women attempting to conceive. In women who have difficulties conceiving or who are undergoing investigation of infertility, withdrawal of dexketoprofen should be considered.

Nephrotoxicity may be enhanced by NSAIDs via renal prostaglandin mediated effects. During combination therapy, renal function has to be measured.

Concomitant use with NSAIDs can increase the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity. Close clinical monitoring is required when deferasirox is combined with these substances.

NSAIDs increase blood lithium levels, which may reach toxic values (decreased renal excretion of lithium). This parameter therefore requires monitoring during the initiation, adjustment and withdrawal of treatment with dexketoprofen.

Methotrexate, used at high doses of 15 mg/week or more:

Increased haematological toxicity of methotrexate via a decrease in its renal clearance by antiinflammatory agents in general.

Methotrexate, used at low doses, less than 15 mg/week:

Increased haematological toxicity of methotrexate via a decrease in its renal clearance by antiinflammatory agents in general. Weekly monitoring of blood count during the first weeks of the combination. Increased surveillance in the presence of even mildly impaired renal function, as well as in the elderly.

Concomitant use with NSAIDs may decrease pemetrexed elimination, therefore caution should be made when administering higher doses of NSAIDs. In patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance from 45 to 79 ml/min), the concomitant administration of pemetrexed with NSAIDs doses should be avoided for 2 days before and 2 days following pemetrexed administration.

Increased risk of bleeding. Increase clinical monitoring and check bleeding time more often.

Plasma concentrations of dexketoprofen may be increased; this interaction can be due to an inhibitory mechanism at the site of renal tubular secretion and of glucuronoconjugation and requires adjustment of the dose of dexketoprofen.

Concomitant use with NSAID can increase plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine, renal function should be monitored in order to control a potential synergic influence on renal function.

Risk of increased red cell line toxicity via action on reticulocytes, with severe anaemia occurring one week after the NSAID is started. Check complete blood count and reticulocyte count one to two weeks after starting treatment with the NSAID.

Patients with asthma combined with chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and/or nasal polyposis have a higher risk of allergy to acetylsalicylic acid and/or NSAIDs than the rest of the population. Administration of this medicinal product can cause asthma attacks or bronchospasm, particularly in subjects allergic to acetylsalicylic acid or NSAIDs.

Particular caution is required in patients with:

• congenital disorder of porphyrin metabolism (e.g. acute intermittent porphyria)
• dehydration
• directly after major surgery

If the physician considers long-term dexketoprofen therapy to be necessary, hepatic and renal function and the blood count should be regularly checked.

Appropriate monitoring and advice are required for patients with history of hypertension and/or mild to moderate heart failure. Special caution should be exercised in patients with a history of cardiac disease, in particular those with previous episodes of heart failure as there is an increased risk of triggering heart failure, since fluid retention and oedema have been reported in association with NSAIDs therapy.

Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke). There are insufficient data to exclude such a risk for dexketoprofen.

Consequently, patients with uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure, established ischaemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and/or cerebrovascular disease should only be treated with dexketoprofen after careful consideration. Similar consideration should be made before initiating longer-term treatment of the patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking).

Elderly patients are more likely to be suffering from impaired cardiovascular function.

Exceptionally, varicella can be at the origin of serious cutaneous and soft tissues infectious complications. To date, the contributing role of NSAIDs in the worsening of these infections cannot be ruled out. Thus, it is advisable to avoid use of dexketoprofen in case of varicella.

Dexketoprofen should be administered with caution to patients suffering from haematopoietic disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus or mixed connective tissue disease.

Dexketoprofen is contraindicated during third trimester of pregnancy.

Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis may adversely affect the pregnancy and/or the embryo/foetal development. Data from epidemiological studies raise concern about an increased risk of miscarriage and of cardiac malformation and gastroschisis after use of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor in early pregnancy. The absolute risk for cardiovascular malformation was increased from less than 1%, up to approximately 1.5%. The risk is believed to increase with dose and duration of therapy. In animals, administration of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor has been shown to result in increased pre- and post-implantation loss and embryo-foetal lethality. In addition, increased incidences of various malformations including cardiovascular, have been reported in animals given a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor during the organogenetic period. Nevertheless, animal studies with dexketoprofen haven’t shown reproductive toxicity. During the first and second trimester of pregnancy, dexketoprofen should not be given unless clearly necessary. If dexketoprofen is used by a woman attempting to conceive, or during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, the dose should be kept as low and duration of treatment as short as possible.

During the third trimester of pregnancy, all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors may expose the fetus to:

• cardiopulmonary toxicity (with premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension);
• renal dysfunction, which may progress to renal failure with oligo-hydroamniosis;

the mother and the neonate, at the end of pregnancy, to:

• possible prolongation of bleeding time, an anti-aggregating effect which may occur even at very low doses;
• inhibition of uterine contractions resulting in delayed or prolonged labour.

It is not known whether dexketoprofen is excreted in human milk. Keral is contraindicated during breast-feeding.

Fertility

As with other NSAIDs, the use of dexketoprofen may impair female fertility and is not recommended in women attempting to conceive. In women who have difficulties conceiving or who are undergoing investigation of infertility, withdrawal of dexketoprofen should be considered.

Dexketoprofen may cause undesirable effects such as dizziness, visual disturbances or drowsiness. The ability to react and the ability to take part actively in road traffic and to operate machines may be impaired in these cases.

The adverse events reported as at least possibly related with dexketoprofen in clinical trials, as well as the adverse reactions reported after the marketing of dexketoprofen tablets are tabulated below, classified by system organ class and ordered by frequency:

The most commonly-observed adverse events are gastrointestinal in nature. Peptic ulcers, perforation or gastrointestinal bleeding, sometimes fatal, particularly in the elderly, may occur. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, melaena, haematemesis, ulcerative stomatitis, exacerbation of colitis and Crohn’s disease have been reported following administration. Less frequently, gastritis has been observed.

Oedema, hypertension and cardiac failure have been reported in association with NSAIDs treatment.

As with other NSAIDs the following undesirable effects may appear: aseptic meningitis, which might predominantly occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or mixed connective tissue disease; haematological reactions (purpura, aplastic and haemolytic anaemia, and rarely agranulocytosis and medullar hypoplasia).

Bullous reactions including Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (very rare).

Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke).