What Is Ketorolac Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is ketorolac used for?" Ketorolac is used to provide short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. While ketorolac is most often used for relieving pain following a procedure, it may also be used to treat pain caused by kidney stones, back pain, and cancer pain. Ketorolac is licensed for use in children two years of age and older; however, children should only receive single doses of the drug.

 

What Is Ketorolac Used For?

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. Ketorolac is most often used for pain relief following a procedure but may also be used for such things as back pain, cancer pain, or pain caused by kidney stones.
 

How Does Ketorolac Work?

Ketorolac and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are thought to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins. It is thought that blocking the effects of prostaglandins is what makes ketorolac useful for alleviating pain.
 

What Is Ketorolac Used for in Children?

Ketorolac is licensed for use in children two years of age and older. However, only single doses of ketorolac are recommended in children.
 

Off-Label Ketorolac Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend ketorolac for something other than the conditions discussed above. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label ketorolac uses.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;