What is Ketorolac Tromethamine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 12, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Ketorolac Tromethamine overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Toradol

Generic Names:

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine

Uses:

  • Treats severe pain. This medicine is an NSAID.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Analgesic, Central Nervous System Agent

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Ketorolac Tromethamine used for?

Ketorolac is a medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. Ketorolac belongs to a class of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ketorolac is a generic medication also sold under the brand names Toradol, Acular, and Acuvail. Ketorolac was first approved by the US FDA in 1989. Ketorolac can be administered by mouth, injection, nasal spray, and eye drops. In the treatment of pain, ketorolac use is fairly common.

What form(s) does Ketorolac Tromethamine come in

  • Tablet

What are common Ketorolac Tromethamine doses?

  • Tablet 10MG

  • Bottle 25GM of

  • Bottle 5ML of 0.4%

  • Bottle 3ML of 0.5%

  • Bottle 5ML of 0.5%

  • Bottle 10ML of 0.5%

  • Vial 1ML of 15MG/ML

  • Vial 1ML of 30MG/ML

  • Vial 2ML of 60MG/2ML

  • Syringe 1ML of 15MG/ML

  • Syringe 1ML of 30MG/ML

  • Syringe 2ML of 60MG/2ML

  • Crtrdg-Ndl 1ML of 30MG/ML

Common Ketorolac Tromethamine prescriptions

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    1 solution bottle

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    10ml of 0.5% bottle

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    3ml of 0.5% bottle

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    5ml of 0.4% bottle

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    5ml of 0.5% bottle

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    1ml of 30mg/ml crtrdg-ndl

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    1ml of 15mg/ml syringe

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    1ml of 30mg/ml syringe

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    2ml of 60mg/2ml syringe

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    10mg tablet

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    1ml of 15mg/ml vial

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    1ml of 30mg/ml vial

  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
    2ml of 60mg/2ml vial

How to take Ketorolac Tromethamine

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Take your tablets with a full glass of water.

  • You may take this medicine with food or milk so it does not upset your stomach.

  • Use this medicine for the shortest time possible, never more than 5 days, and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • You may take this medicine with food or milk so it does not upset your stomach.

  • Take your tablets with a full glass of water.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Use this medicine for the shortest time possible, never more than 5 days, and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ketorolac Tromethamine

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Ketorolac Tromethamine contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction (including asthma) to ketorolac, aspirin, or other NSAID medicines such as Aleve®, Celebrex®, Indocin®, Motrin®, or Naprosyn®. You should not use this medicine if you have a stomach ulcer, a bleeding disorder, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not take this medicine if you have advanced kidney disease. Do not use this medicine right before or right after having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a type of heart surgery. You should not take this medicine if you are using probenecid (Probalan®).

Ketorolac Tromethamine warnings

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, circulation problems, untreated high blood pressure, or a history of asthma.

  • If you are more than 16 years of age, you should not use this medicine for more than 5 days unless your doctor has told you to.

  • If you are 16 years of age or younger, you should not use more than a single dose.

  • This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.

  • This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid medicine or a blood thinner).

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

  • Flu-like symptoms.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Skin rash or blisters with fever.

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness.

  • Sudden or severe headache.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.

  • Unusual tiredness or weakness.

  • Unusual weight gain.

  • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Ketorolac Tromethamine interactions

  • Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), or a steroid medicine (such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Orapred®). Tell your doctor if you are using methotrexate (Trexall®), or a diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®).

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using fluoxetine, heparin, lithium, thiothixene, Eskalith®, Navane®, or Prozac®. Tell your doctor if you are using a blood pressure medicine (such as enalapril, lisinopril, Accupril®, Lotensin®, Lotrel®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Vasotec®, or Zestril®). Your doctor will need to know if you are using medicine to treat seizures such as phenytoin (Dilantin®) or carbamazepine (Tegretol®), or sedatives such as alprazolam (Xanax®).

  • This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.

  • This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid medicine or a blood thinner).

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Ketorolac Tromethamine side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.

  • Bloody or black, tarry stools.

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.

  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.

  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools.

  • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Skin rash or blisters with fever.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Unusual weight gain.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • Sudden or severe headache.

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Unusual tiredness or weakness.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Flu-like symptoms.

  • Problems with vision, speech, or walking.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Mild stomach pain.

  • Changes in your vision.

  • Headache.

  • Ringing in your ears.

  • Diarrhea, constipation, or indigestion.