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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
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Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Ketorolac (kee-toe-ROLE-ak) is used to relieve moderately severe pain, usually pain that occurs after an operation or other painful procedure. It belongs to the group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ketorolac is not a narcotic and is not habit-forming. It will not cause physical or mental dependence, as narcotics can. However, ketorolac is sometimes used together with a narcotic to provide better pain relief than either medicine used alone.
Ketorolac has side effects that can be very dangerous. The risk of having a serious side effect increases with the dose of ketorolac and with the length of treatment. Therefore, ketorolac should not be used for more than 5 days. Before using this medicine, you should discuss with your doctor the good that this medicine can do as well as the risks of using it.
Ketorolac is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ketorolac, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ketorolac or to any of the following medicines:
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Studies on birth defects with ketorolac have not been done in pregnant women. However, it crosses the placenta. There is a chance that regular use of ketorolac during the last few months of pregnancy may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow of the fetus or newborn baby. Ketorolac has not been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies. However, animal studies have shown that, if taken late in pregnancy, ketorolac may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor, or cause other problems during delivery.
Breast-feeding--Ketorolac passes into the breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. It may be necessary for you to use another pain reliever or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure that you have discussed the use of this medicine with your doctor.
Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of ketorolac in children up to 16 years of age with use in other age groups.
Older adults--Stomach or intestinal problems, swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs, or sudden decrease in the amount of urine may be especially likely to occur in elderly patients, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of ketorolac. Also, elderly people are more likely than younger adults to get very sick if the medicine causes stomach problems. Studies in older adults have shown that ketorolac stays in the body longer than it does in younger people. Your doctor will consider this when deciding on how much ketorolac should be given for each dose and how often it should be given.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using ketorolac, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ketorolac. Make sure you tell your doctor if you smoke tobacco or if you have any other medical problems, especially:
For patients taking ketorolac tablets :
For patients using ketorolac injection :
For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for more than 5 days . Using too much of this medicine increases the chance of unwanted effects, especially in elderly patients.
Ketorolac should be used only when it is ordered by your doctor for treating certain kinds of pain. Because of the risk of serious side effects, do not save any leftover ketorolac for use in the future, and do not share it with other people.
Dosing--The dose of ketorolac will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of ketorolac. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose--If you have been directed to use this medicine according to a regular schedule, and you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage--To store this medicine:
Taking certain other medicines together with ketorolac may increase the chance of unwanted effects. The risk will depend on how much of each medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the medicines together. Therefore, do not take acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) together with ketorolac for more than a few days, unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist. Also, do not take any of the following medicines together with ketorolac, unless your medical doctor or dentist has directed you to do so and is following your progress :
Ketorolac may cause some people to become dizzy or drowsy. If either of these side effects occurs, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert .
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur :
Rare
Bleeding from the rectum or bloody or black, tarry stools; bleeding or crusting sores on lips; blue lips and fingernails; chest pain; convulsions; fainting; shortness of breath, fast, irregular, noisy, or troubled breathing, tightness in chest, and/or wheezing; vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Swelling of face, fingers, lower legs, ankles, and/or feet; weight gain (unusual)
Less common
Bruising (not at place of injection); high blood pressure; skin rash or itching; small, red spots on skin; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
Rare
Abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning (severe); bloody or cloudy urine; blurred vision of other vision change; burning, red, tender, thick, scaly, or peeling skin; cough or hoarseness; dark urine; decrease in amount of urine (sudden); fever with severe headache, drowsiness, confusion, and stiff neck or back; fever with or without chills or sore throat; general feeling of illness; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); hearing loss; hives; increase in amount of urine or urinating often; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; low blood pressure; mood changes or unusual behavior; muscle cramps or pain; nausea, heartburn, and/or indigestion (severe and continuing); nosebleeds; pain in lower back and/or side; pain, tenderness, and/or swelling in the upper abdominal area; painful or difficult urination; pale skin; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes; ringing or buzzing in ears; runny nose; severe restlessness; swollen and/or painful glands; swollen tongue; thirst (continuing); unusual tiredness or weakness; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Abdominal or stomach pain (mild or moderate); bruising at place of injection; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; indigestion; nausea
Less common or rare
Bloating or gas; burning or pain at place of injection; constipation; feeling of fullness in abdominal or stomach area; increased sweating; vomiting
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, ketorolac is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.
Revised: 08/17/2000
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