ASK DIS: Ketoprofen Patch: Safety in Children

Oral ketoprofen is effective and well tolerated in children for the control of post-surgical pain and for the control of pain and fever in inflammatory conditions.¹
From BNF for children there is no data showed for the ketoprofen used in children
From Frank Shann Drug Doses, the dose of Ketoprofen for paediatrics is 1-2mg/kg (max 4mg/kg or 200mg in 24hr).

Manufacturer’s recommendation

From the product leaflet of keplat 20mg medicated patch, it is not recommended for the patient age below than 12 years old.³
From the product leaflet Kefentech 30mg Plaster (used in HKGU), it is not recommended since the safety for children has not been established yet.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of ketoprofen patch

From the pharmacokinetic data, the total systemic bioavailability of ketoprofen 100 mg administered via a patch is no more than 10% of that reported for ketoprofen 100 mg administered orally.²
By using extrapolation, children seems reasonable to be given the patch based on several factors:⁴
the pharmacodynamic response to most medications including local anesthetics, opioids, and NSAIDs are substantially mature by the age of 2 years,
the degree of systemic absorption of these topical medications is low
local skin effects for the most part of body is minimal and short-lived

References:

ASK DIS