Ketorolac

Ketorolac tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. Sold under names such as Toradol and Ketorolac Tromethamine tables, ketorolac is most often used to treat pain following a procedure, but it can also be used to relieve back pain, cancer pain, and pain caused by kidney stones. It can be taken as a tablet or through an IV or injection. Common side effects of ketorolac include headache, swelling, and stomach pain.

 

What Is Ketorolac?

Ketorolac tromethamine (Toradol®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. Short-term is defined as no longer than five days for adults. Children should not receive more than one dose of ketorolac.
 
Ketorolac is most often used to treat pain following a procedure but may also be used for such things as pain caused by kidney stones, back pain, or cancer pain.
 
(Click What Is Ketorolac Used For? to learn more about these uses.)
 
Ketorolac belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short.
 

Who Makes Ketorolac?

Toradol is manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals. Several companies (such as Mylan Laboratories and Teva Pharmaceuticals) manufacture generic forms of ketorolac.
 

How Does Ketorolac Work?

Ketorolac and other NSAIDs are thought to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.
 

Effects of Ketorolac

It is thought that blocking the effects of prostaglandins is what makes ketorolac useful for reducing pain. In clinical studies, ketorolac was as effective as lower doses of narcotics at treating pain. When it was combined with narcotic pain medicines (such as morphine), it decreased the amount of narcotics needed. Also, pain relief was significantly better in those receiving ketorolac and morphine compared to those receiving morphine alone.
 
Pain relief usually begins about 30 minutes after ketorolac is received. The maximum effect of ketorolac occurs within two to three hours and lasts on average four to six hours.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;