Analgesic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen administered into a surgical site

A series of three clinical trials in the oral surgery model evaluated the a nalgesic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen administered locally a s a strategy for decreasing systemic exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflamma tory drugs (NSAIDs). A gel formulation was administered directly into extra ction sites 1 hour following oral surgery, and pain intensity was evaluated for 6 hours. Significantly less pain was seen following peripheral adminis tration of both 10 and 30 mg ketoprofen in comparison to the placebo. In a second study, peripheral administration of the 10 mg dose resulted in great er analgesia than oral administration of the same dose formulation or the p lacebo. The third study demonstrated lower plasma drug levels following the peripheral route of the same dose or ingestion of a 25 mg oral capsule. Th ese data indicate that administration of an NSAID to a peripheral site of t issue injury results in greater analgesia than oral administration and sugg ests the potential for less drug toxicity through lower circulating drug le vels.