Ketoprofen versus ibuprofen and diclofenac

Ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) seems to be more effective than ibuprofen or diclofenac in easing pain and reducing inflammation in people with muscle and joint conditions.

Published in Clinical & Experimental Rheumatology, a large review of the literature by Italian scientists identified 13 randomised controlled trials involving 898 people who had rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, low back pain or shoulder pain.

Eight studies compared ketoprofen with ibuprofen; the remaining five compared ketoprofen with diclofenac.

A close look at the research showed that ketoprofen seemed to be significantly more effective than ibuprofen or diclofenac.

“The efficacy of orally administered ketoprofen in relieving moderate-to-severe pain and improving functional status and general condition was significantly better than that of ibuprofen and/or diclofenac,” say the researchers.