Pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen syrup in small children

Ketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic, anti-in flammatory: and antipyretic properties. its pharmacokinetics has not been d etermined in small children. The objective here was to determine the pharma cokinetics of ketoprofen syrup, 0.5 mg/kg, in two groups of 10 children. Gr oup 1 was from ages 6 months up to 2 years (7/10 younger than 1 year), and Group 2 was from ages 2 to 7 years. Venous blood samples were collected bef ore drug administration and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours after. A valid ated HPLC method was used to determine plasma levels of ketoprofen. The low er limit of quantification was 0.02 mu g/ml of plasma. Ketoprofen syrup was absorbed rapidly; the plasma level reaching its maximum at 0.5 hours, with C0.5 hours = 3 mu g/ml. The pharmacokinetics rt as similar between the two groups of children. The elimination half-life, 2.0 hours in Group I or 1.9 hours in Group 2, was similar to that reported in adults. Journal of Clini cal Pharmacology 2000;40:354-359 (C)2000 the American College of Clinical P harmacology.