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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, it 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.
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.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with ketorolac. Yet not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. When people do develop side effects, in many cases they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by the patient or his or her healthcare provider. However, there are some less common but serious side effects that can occur with this drug.
The risk of side effects with ketorolac seems to be related to the amount of the medication you are taking and other factors, including:
- Your age
- Your general health
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
Common side effects of ketorolac include (but are not limited to):
- Headache
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
- Nausea
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Swelling.
Less common but serious side effects include:
- Unexplained bleeding
- Stomach or intestinal problems, including bleeding, an ulcer, or a hole (known as a perforation)
- Liver damage
- Kidney problems, including kidney failure
- Congestive heart failure
- Allergic reaction
- Unexplained rash.
These possible serious side effects can lead to life-threatening complications or even loss of life.
(Click Side Effects of Ketorolac to learn more about specific side effects, including information about signs of serious side effects to look out for.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD