Development and use of the quick acting chiral NSAID dexketoprofen trometamol (keral)

Dexketoprofen trometamol (keral) is a new, quick acting analgesic for the treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions such as osteo-arthritis and low back pain. It is also used as a treatment for post-operative pain, toothache and dysmenorrhoea. It is the active optical isomer (eutomer) of ketoprofen, a propionic acid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The eutomer has been separated to halve the dosage required and halve the metabolic load. The inactive isomer (distomer) has been discarded in the hope of eliminating or reducing potential unnecessary side effects. It is presented as keral. The tromethamine salt results in the drug being quickly absorbed and thus promotes rapidity of action.