[Drug concentrations in blood, synovial fluid, synovial membrane, periarticular bone, muscle and adipose tissue in patients with rheumatoid polyarthritis receiving a single intramuscular injection of ketoprofen or acetylsalicylic acid (3 hours after the injection)].

The therapeutic activity of antiinflammatory agents in rheumatic joint disease is related to their presence at the target site of action, i.e. the joints. Tissue concentrations of such agents have been previously determined in patients with rheumatic disorders under long-term treatment with acemetacin and indomethacin (Köhler et al., 1981). The purpose of the present study was to determine concentrations of ketoprofen and acetylsalicylic acid in blood as well as synovial fluid, synovial membrane and periarticular bone and adipose tissue, three hours after administration of a single dose. Drug concentrations found in each of these tissues following a single intramuscular injection were sufficient to ensure therapeutic efficiency.