Drug interactions
Ketoprofen + Tolfenamic acid
Severity: Major
Ketoprofen and Tolfenamic acid: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Combining two systemic NSAIDs adds no proven therapeutic benefit and raises the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, renal impairment and fluid retention. Both drugs also inhibit platelet function, so bleeding tendency is additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketoprofen and Tolfenamic acid can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Ketoprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal; Tolfenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 leads to loss of gastric mucosal protection, impaired platelet aggregation and reduced renal prostaglandin synthesis.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use of two NSAIDs and use a single agent at the lowest effective dose. If a switch is made, stop one drug before starting the other and consider gastroprotection in at-risk patients.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Ketoprofen and Tolfenamic acid, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Ketoprofen
- Ketoprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Ketoprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Ketoprofen Major
- Acemetacin + Ketoprofen Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketoprofen Major
- Alteplase + Ketoprofen Major
Other interactions of Tolfenamic acid
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketoprofen with Tolfenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ketoprofen and Tolfenamic acid can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Combining two systemic NSAIDs adds no proven therapeutic benefit and raises the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, renal impairment and fluid retention. Both drugs also inhibit platelet function, so bleeding tendency is additive.
How serious is the interaction between Ketoprofen and Tolfenamic acid?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use of two NSAIDs and use a single agent at the lowest effective dose. If a switch is made, stop one drug before starting the other and consider gastroprotection in at-risk patients.
What other medicines interact with Ketoprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Ketoprofen page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
