Ketorolac

2 medicines

Ketorolac is a short-term NSAID for moderate to severe pain, used for no more than five days total because of a high risk of stomach bleeding, ulcers and kidney damage. It is not for long-term or mild pain.

Acular

Ketorolac

0.4%

Acular is a eye care medication containing Ketorolac, available as 0.4% bottles.

from $10.63 / bottle View

Toradol

Ketorolac

10mg

Toradol is a painkillers medication containing Ketorolac, available as 10mg tablets.

from $0.53 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Ketorolac is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), given by injection, taken as tablets, or used as eye drops for short-term pain relief.
  • When taken by mouth or injection, the combined total course, injection plus tablets together, must not exceed 5 days; it is not for long-term or mild pain.
  • Ketorolac carries a higher risk of serious stomach bleeding, ulcers and kidney injury than most other NSAIDs, and this risk rises the longer it is used.
  • Seek urgent care for vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, severe stomach pain, or a marked drop in urine output.

What ketorolac treats

Ketorolac treats moderate to severe short-term pain, such as pain after surgery, dental procedures, or kidney-stone pain, when milder painkillers are not enough. The eye-drop form treats inflammation and pain after cataract surgery and, for a short period, the itching of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. It is not intended for minor aches, headaches, or long-term or chronic pain conditions.

How ketorolac works

Injury and inflammation trigger the body to produce prostaglandins, chemicals that sensitise nerve endings to pain and drive swelling. Ketorolac blocks the enzymes (cyclo-oxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2) that make prostaglandins, reducing pain and inflammation. The same enzymes normally protect the stomach lining and support blood flow to the kidneys, which is why blocking them strongly, as ketorolac does, raises the risk of stomach and kidney harm.

Before you take it

  • Do not take ketorolac if you have active stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcers, severe kidney disease, heart failure, or are due to have or have recently had major surgery such as coronary artery bypass.
  • Avoid it in late pregnancy; NSAIDs taken from around 20 weeks can harm the baby's kidneys and, later in pregnancy, affect the heart.
  • Tell your prescriber about other NSAIDs, aspirin, blood thinners, corticosteroids, or SSRI antidepressants, since combining these raises bleeding risk.
  • Older adults and anyone with reduced kidney function need extra caution and often a lower dose.

Side effects

Common effects include stomach upset, headache, dizziness and drowsiness.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or black, tarry stools.
  • Severe stomach pain that does not settle.
  • Little or no urine output, or sudden swelling.
  • Sudden vision loss or severe eye pain after using the eye drops.

Safety essentials

  • Never use ketorolac, by any route, for more than 5 days in total; longer use sharply increases the risk of serious gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney injury.
  • Do not combine ketorolac with other NSAIDs or aspirin taken for pain, since this adds risk without adding benefit.
  • Tell every prescriber and pharmacist you are taking or have recently taken ketorolac, especially before any surgery or new pain medicine is started.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.