Ketorolac Tromethamine Solution for injection Health Article

Generic name(s):

Ketorolac Tromethamine Solution for injection

Brand name(s):

Ketorolac Tromethamine, Ketorolac Tromethamine Novaplus, Toradol, Toradol IM, Toradol IV/IM

What is this medicine?

KETOROLAC (kee toe ROLE ak) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to treat moderate to severe pain for up to 5 days. It is commonly used after surgery. This medicine should not be used for more than 5 days.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma, especially aspirin-sensitive asthma
• bleeding problems
• kidney disease
• stomach bleed, ulcer, or other problem
• taking aspirin, other NSAID, or probenecid
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ketorolac, tromethamine, aspirin, other NSAIDs, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle or into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• cidofovir
• methotrexate
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• pentoxifylline
• probenecid

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol
• alendronate
• alprazolam
• carbamazepine
• diuretics
• flavocoxid
• fluoxetine
• ginkgo
• lithium
• medicines for blood pressure like enalapril
• medicines that affect platelets like pentoxifylline
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like heparin, warfarin
• muscle relaxants
• pemetrexed
• phenytoin
• thiothixene

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medicine does not prevent heart attack or stroke. In fact, this medicine may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. The chance may increase with longer use of this medicine and in people who have heart disease. If you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, talk with your doctor or health care professional.

Do not take medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen with this medicine. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many medicines available without a prescription should not be taken with this medicine.

This medicine can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. These increase irritation to your stomach and can make it more susceptible to damage from this medicine. Ulcers and bleeding can happen without warning symptoms and can cause death.

This medicine can cause you to bleed more easily. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.