Skip to content

Ketorolac

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Toradol

    NSAIDs

    Pyrrolo-pyrrole NSAID; for the short-term relief of pain; max of 5 consecutive days regardless of dosage form(s) used.

    Moderately Severe Acute Pain; Short-term (≤5 days) management of moderately severe acute pain that requires analgesia at opioid level; not indicated for minor or chronic painful conditions

    For the short-term treatment of acute moderate pain or moderately severe pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level.

    Duration of therapy >5 days

    Not for chronic or minor pain

    Demonstrated hypersensitivity to ketorolac or allergic manifestations to aspirin or other NSAIDs; appropriate counteractive measures must be available when first ketorolac injection is given

    Major surgery: Contraindicated for prophylactic analgesia; contraindicated for treatment of perioperative pain in setting of CABG surgery

    OB/GYN: Contraindicated during labor and delivery because it may adversely affect fetal circulation and inhibit uterine contractions; contraindicated in breastfeeding women because of potential adverse effects of prostaglandin-inhibiting drugs on neonates

    Renal: Contraindicated with advanced renal impairment and in patients at risk for renal failure due to volume depletion

    GI: Contraindicated with previous or currently active peptic ulcer disease, previous or current GI bleeding or perforation

    Bleeding risk: Because of inhibition of platelet function; contraindicated with suspected or confirmed cerebrovascular bleeding, hemorrhagic diathesis, incomplete hemostasis, and high risk of bleeding

    Use with other NSAIDs: Contraindicated in patients currently receiving aspirin or other NSAIDs, because of a cumulative risk of inducing serious NSAID-related adverse effects

    Contraindicated for intrathecal or epidural administration because of alcohol content

    >10%

    Headache (17%)

    Somnolence (3-14%)

    Dyspepsia (12-13%)

    GI pain (12-13%)

    Nausea (12-13%)

    1-10%

    Diarrhea (3-9%)

    Dizziness (3-9%)

    Pruritus (3-9%)

    Edema (1-3%)

    Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (3%)

    Constipation (<3%)

    Purpura (<3%)

    Increased serum creatinine (2%)

    Drowsiness (6%)

    Hypertension (4%)

    Use with caution in perioperative setting, tonsillectomy in children (may interfere with hemostasis), gastric perforation, hepatic/renal impairment, history of hepatic/renal disease, concomitant anticoagulant therapy, hypertension (may cause new onset of hypertension or worsening of existing hypertension)

    PO therapy should be used only as continuation after initial parenteral therapy

    Limited data supporting safe use of multiple-dose parenteral treatment in children

    Potential risk of cardiovascular damage

    Long-term administration of NSAIDs may result in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury; patients at greatest risk include elderly individuals; those with impaired renal function, hypovolemia, heart failure, liver dysfunction, or salt depletion; and those taking diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers

    Risk of severe skin reactions

    May cause drowsiness, blurred vision, and dizziness; may impair ability to operate heavy machinery

    May increase risk of hyperkalemia, especially in renal disease, patients with diabetes, the elderly, and when used concomitantly with other agents capable of inducing hyperkalemia

    Not for use in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma (severe bronchospasm may occur)

    Heart Failure(HF) risk

    Pregnancy category: C; D in third trimester (may cause premature closure of ductus arteriosus)

    Lactation: Drug excreted in breast milk with multiple doses; use contraindicated

    Total systemic therapy should not exceed 5 days.

    Adults

    Weighing 50 kg or more: 30 mg IV or 60 mg IM as a single dose; 120 mg/day IV/IM as multiple-dose treatment; 40 mg/day PO; 126 mg/day intranasally; ophthalmic dosage is indication and product specific.
    Weighing less than 50 kg: 15 mg IV or 30 mg IM as a single dose; 60 mg/day IV/IM as multiple-dose treatment; 40 mg/day PO; 63 mg/day intranasally; ophthalmic dosage is indication and product specific.

    Geriatric

    15 mg IV or 30 mg IM as a single dose; 60 mg/day IV/IM as multiple-dose treatment; 40 mg/day PO; 63 mg/day intranasally; ophthalmic dosage is indication and product specific.

    Adolescents

    17 years weighing 50 kg or more: 30 mg IV or 60 mg IM as a single dose; 120 mg/day IV/IM as multiple-dose treatment; 40 mg/day PO; ophthalmic dosage is indication and product specific; safety and efficacy have not been established for intranasal use; .
    17 years weighing less than 50 kg: 15 mg IV or 30 mg IM as a single dose; 60 mg/day IV/IM as multiple-dose treatment; 40 mg/day PO; ophthalmic dosage is indication and product specific; safety and efficacy have not been established for intranasal use.
    13 to 16 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established for systemic therapy; however, doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV (Max: 15 mg/dose) or 1 mg/kg/dose IM (Max: 30 mg/dose) as a single dose and up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV/IM (Max: 30 mg/dose) or 0.25 mg/kg/dose PO (Max: 10 mg/dose) every 6 hours as multiple-dose treatment have been used off-label; ophthalmic dosage is indication and product specific.

    Children

    2 to 12 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established for systemic therapy; however, doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV (Max: 15 mg/dose) or 1 mg/kg/dose IM (Max: 30 mg/dose) as a single dose and up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV/IM (Max: 30 mg/dose) or 0.25 mg/kg/dose PO (Max: 10 mg/dose) every 6 hours as multiple-dose treatment have been used off-label; ophthalmic dosage is indication and product specific.
    1 year: Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV or 1 mg/kg/dose IM as a single dose and up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV/IM (Max: 30 mg/dose) or 0.25 mg/kg/dose PO (Max: 10 mg/dose) every 6 hours as multiple-dose treatment have been used off-label.

    Infants

    6 to 11 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV or 1 mg/kg/dose IM as a single dose and up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV/IM every 6 hours as multiple-dose treatment have been used off-label.
    1 to 5 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV every 6 hours as multiple-dose treatment have been used off-label.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV every 6 hours as multiple-dose treatment have been used off-label.

    tablet

    • 10mg

    Injectable solution

    • 15mg/mL

    • 30mg/mL

    Prefilled syringe

    • 15mg/mL

    • 30mg/mL

    • 60mg/2mL