What is ketorolac?
Ketorolac is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ketorolac works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Ketorolac is used short-term (5 days or less) to treat moderate to severe pain.
Ketorolac may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ketorolac?
This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use ketorolac. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking ketorolac. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Do not drink alcohol while taking ketorolac. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by ketorolac.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ketorolac?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ketorolac, aspirin, or other NSAIDs, or if you have:
severe kidney disease;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
a closed head injury or bleeding in your brain;
a stomach ulcer or a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding; or
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not take ketorolac if you are also taking pentoxifylline (Trental) or probenecid (Benemid). Do not take ketorolac with aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), or piroxicam (Feldene).
Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Before taking ketorolac, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
liver or kidney disease,
ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease;
asthma;
polyps in your nose;
if you have recently had surgery; or
if you smoke.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take ketorolac.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking ketorolac during labor can increase the risk of bleeding during childbirth. Do not take ketorolac during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.
This medication can affect fertility (your ability to have children). Do not take ketorolac while you are trying to get pregnant.
Ketorolac can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old.