Uses

What is ketorolac used for?

Ketorolac is commonly used for moderately severe acute pain that needs strong pain relief, often after surgery. Acute pain starts suddenly and lasts a short time, and is often due to an injury, illness, or surgery.

Ketorolac may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does ketorolac work (mechanism of action)?

Ketorolac works by blocking certain substances in the body that cause pain, inflammation, and fever.

How is ketorolac supplied (dosage forms)?

Ketorolac is available as 10 mg oral tablets that are taken by mouth.

Ketorolac is also available in injectable forms.

See also: Ketorolac nasal and Ketorolac ophthalmic

How should I store ketorolac?

Oral Tablet. Ketorolac should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.

Injection Liquid. Ketorolac injection is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ketorolac?

The most common side effects of ketorolac are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stomach pain, upset stomach
  • Nausea 
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of ketorolac that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ketorolac?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ketorolac are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Heart Attack and Stroke. Ketorolac can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is increased in people with existing heart disease and with longer use of ketorolac and higher doses. Do not use ketorolac if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your healthcare provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Bleeding. Ketorolac can increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you have a bleeding disorder or take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice signs of bleeding including easy bruising or bleeding.

Stomach Bleeding. Ketorolac can increase your risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, use higher doses of ketorolac or use it for longer than directed, have poor health, are age 60 or older, have liver disease, smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain other medicines. Stop taking ketorolac and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Vomit blood
  • Black or tarry poop
  • Stomach pain that does not go away
  • Upset stomach
  • Feel faint

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ketorolac can cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. Ketorolac can cause severe skin reactions called Exfoliative Dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop ketorolac, and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a severe skin reaction.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Areas of thickened skin
  • Sores that are crusted over

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Ketorolac may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heart beats

Anemia. Ketorolac may cause anemia, which is a condition that causes low levels of red blood cells. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.

  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking ketorolac. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Heart Failure. Ketorolac may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking ketorolac. Stop taking ketorolac and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs (edema)
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ketorolac?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take ketorolac.

  • Ketorolac
  • Toradol
  • Aspirin or any other medicine known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ketorolac products they stock.

Aspirin-Sensitive Asthma. Ketorolac should not be used in people who have a certain type of asthma called aspirin-sensitive asthma. The risk of serious allergic reactions to ketorolac is higher in people who have aspirin-sensitive asthma.

Heart Surgery. Do not take ketorolac right before or after a heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft. Taking ketorolac during this time can increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Major Surgery. Ketorolac should not be used before major surgery, such as knee or hip replacement surgery or hysterectomy. 

Drug Interactions. Ketorolac should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking ketorolac, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Kidney Problems. Ketorolac should not be used if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if they are working well enough to use this medicine.

Stomach Problems. Ketorolac should not be used if you have certain stomach problems, including any of the following. 

  • Peptic ulcer disease (painful sores in the stomach or intestines)
  • Recent bleeding or perforation (holes) of the stomach or intestines

Bleeding Problems or Conditions. Ketorolac should not be used if you have (or your healthcare provider suspects you may have) any of the following problems or conditions. 

  • Bleeding in the brain or the blood vessels in the brain
  • A high risk of bleeding, including trouble clotting

Labor and Delivery. Ketorolac should not be used during labor or delivery.

What should I know about ketorolac before using it?

Do not take ketorolac unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than prescribed, as doing so can lead to serious side effects. If your pain continues between doses, contact your healthcare provider for advice. 

Do not share ketorolac with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep ketorolac out of the reach of children.

Do not take ketorolac for more than 5 days in total, including both ketorolac tablets and injections. Taking it for longer than 5 days can increase your risk of stomach and kidney problems. If needed, your healthcare provider may prescribe a different medicine for pain. 

People aged 65 years or older can be at greater risk for some side effects of ketorolac. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ketorolac?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if ketorolac is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems such as heart failure or a recent heart attack
  • Bleeding problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Fluid retention (edema)
  • Stomach ulcers, bleeding, or other stomach problems like heartburn
  • High blood pressure
  • Asthma
  • Stroke

Pregnancy. Do not take ketorolac at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy without talking to your healthcare provider. Taking ketorolac during this time may cause harm to an unborn baby and complications during delivery. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take ketorolac while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Ketorolac passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take ketorolac while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does ketorolac interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between ketorolac and foods or drinks.

Drinking alcohol while taking ketorolac increases your risk for stomach ulcers and bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does ketorolac interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking ketorolac.

  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Pentoxifylline, which is a medicine commonly used for intermittent claudication
  • Any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen and others, which are present in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products including those for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
  • A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney problems
  • An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and other heart conditions
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with ketorolac. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Ketorolac interact with other drugs you are taking?
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Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much ketorolac?

If you or someone else has used too much ketorolac, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ketorolac?

Injection Liquid. Ketorolac is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Some people only receive one injection, while others receive more than one injection. Your healthcare provider will inform you of the schedule.

Oral Tablets. Ketorolac is meant to be used only when needed. Take it as your healthcare provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses.

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