Keral

How does it work?

Keral tablets contain the active ingredient dexketoprofen, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation.

Dexketoprofen works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body, some of which are known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced by the body in response to injury and certain diseases and conditions, and cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Dexketoprofen blocks the production of these prostaglandins and is therefore effective at reducing inflammation and pain.

Dexketoprofen is used to relieve painful problems of the muscles and bones and other pain of mild to moderate intensity, for example period pain and toothache.

What is it used for?

Short-term relief of mild to moderate pain such as:

Pain in the muscles, bones or joints

Period pain

Toothache

Warning!

Taking this medicine with food can delay its absorption from the gut. Keral tablets should therefore be taken 30 minutes to an hour before food to give faster relief of pain.

NSAIDs can occasionally cause serious side effects on the gut, such as ulceration, bleeding or perforation of the stomach or intestinal lining. This type of side effect is more likely to occur in elderly people and in people taking high doses of the medicine. The risk can also be increased by taking certain other medicines (see below). It is important that these people, as well as people with a history of disorders affecting the stomach or intestines, are closely monitored by a doctor while taking this medicine. If your doctor thinks you are at high risk of side effects on the gut you may be prescribed an additional medicine to help protect your gut. All people taking this medicine should stop treatment and consult their doctor immediately if they experience any sign of bleeding from the stomach or intestine during treatment, for example vomiting blood and/or passing black/tarry/bloodstained stools.

This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness and so may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

If you have cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure or kidney disease, you are taking diuretic medicines, or you are recovering from major surgery, your kidney function should be assessed before starting and regularly throughout treatment with this medicine.

Very rarely, NSAIDS may cause serious blistering or peeling skin reactions (eg Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis). For this reason, you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor if you get a skin rash or sores inside your mouth while taking this medicine. This side effect is very rare, but if it occurs, is most likely to happen in the first month of treatment.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Dehydration

History of disorders affecting the stomach or intestines

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Heart failure

High blood pressure

History of allergies

Diseases affecting connective tissue, eg systemic lupus erythematosus

Not to be used in

Children

People in whom aspirin or other NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen, cause allergic reactions such as asthma attacks, itchy rash (urticaria), nasal inflammation (rhinitis) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema)

History of asthma

Active peptic ulcer or bleeding from the gut

People who have had recurrent peptic ulcers or bleeding from the gut (two or more episodes)

People who have experienced bleeding or perforation of the gut as a result of previous treatment with an NSAID

Crohn's disease

Ulcerative colitis

People with blood clotting disorders

Severely decreased liver function

Moderate to severely decreased kidney function

Severe heart failure

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. This is particularly important in the first and third trimesters. If taken in the third trimester NSAIDs may delay labour, increase the length of labour and cause complications in the newborn baby. Some evidence suggests that NSAIDs should also be avoided by women attempting to conceive, as they may temporarily reduce female fertility during treatment and may also increase the risk of miscarriage or malformations. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take this medication 30 minutes to one hour before food.

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