Ketorolac: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Ketorolac?

What medicine is Ketorolac?

Ketorolac is a drug with the function of treating moderate to severe pain temporarily. Usually this medicine is used before or after medical procedures, or after surgery. Ketorolac is a class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that work by blocking the body's production of natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps reduce swelling, pain, or fever.

Ketorolac should not be used for mild pain or long-term painful conditions (such as arthritis).

Ketorolac dosage and ketorolac side effects will be described further below.

What are the rules for using Ketorolac?

Use this medication exactly as recommended. Do not use the drug in excess amount, or use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Follow the rules on your prescription label. Ketorolac is not for treating minor pain.

Ketorolac is usually given first as an injection, and then in the form of an oral drug (taken by mouth). Ketorolac injection is given through a syringe into a muscle or vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you the shot. Ketorolac tablets should be given with a glass of water.

Ketorolac is normally given for ≤ 5 days, including the combined injection and oral forms. Long-term use of ketorolac can damage the kidneys or cause bleeding. If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon if you are taking ketorolac.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Ketorolac?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Rules for Use of Ketorolac

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Ketorolac dosage for adults?

Ketorolac dosage for pain

Parenteral, single dose administration:

• IM: Patients less than 65 years: one dose of 60 mg. Patients with renal impairment, and / or less than 50 kg (110 pounds): one dose of 30 mg.
• IV: Patients younger than 65 years: one dose of 30 mg. Patients with renal impairment, and / or less than 50 kg (110 pounds): one 15 mg dose.

Multiple doses:

• Patients younger than 65 years: 30 mg IM or IV every 6 hours as needed. The maximum daily dose is not more than 120 mg.
• Patients with renal impairment, and / or less than 50 kg (110 pounds): 15 mg IM or IV every 6 hours as needed. The maximum daily dose is not more than 60 mg.

Oral:

10 mg orally 4 times a day as needed. The maximum daily dose is not more than 40 mg.

• Patients less than 50 kg: Maximum daily dose is not more than 40 mg.
• Nasal Spray: Patients younger than 65 years: 31.5 mg (one 15.75 mg spray in each nostril) every 6-8 hours.

Maximum daily dose: 126 mg

What is the dosage of Ketorolac for children?

Ketorolac dosage for pain management in children

≥ 1 month and less than 2 years: multiple dose therapy, IV: 0.5 mg / kg every 6-8 hours. Not more than 48-72 hours of therapy.

Children 2-16 years and children over 16 years who are less than 50 kg: not more than the adult dose.

• Single dose therapy, IM: 1 mg / kg as a single dose, maximum dose: 30 mg. IV: 0.5 mg / kg as a single dose. Maximum dose: 15 mg
• Multiple dose therapy, IM or IV: 0.5 mg / kg every 6 hours. Not more than 5 days of therapy.
• Oral: there have been no studies in children.

Children over 16 years and over 50 kg:

• Single dose therapy: IM: 60 mg as a single dose. IV: 30 mg as a single dose
• Multiple dose therapy: IM or IV: 30 mg every 6 hours. Maximum dose: 120 mg / day
• Oral: Initial dose: 20 mg. Maintenance dose: 10 mg every 4-6 hours. Maximum dose: 40 mg / day

In what dosage is Ketorolac available?

Ketorolac is available as Solution, Injection: 30 mg / mL.

Ketorolac dosage

What side effects can be experienced due to Ketorolac?

Stop using ketorolac and seek immediate medical care or contact your doctor if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• Chest pain, weakness, tightness, internal speech, problems with vision or balance
• Black, bloody, or dark stools;
• Coughing up blood or vomiting like coffee
• Swelling or rapid weight gain
• Urinating less or not urinating
• Nausea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever, no appetite, dark urine, putty bowel movements, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Fever, sore throat, and headache with blisters, peeling, and red skin rash
• The earliest sign of thrush in the mouth or skin rash, no matter how mild
• Pale skin, easy bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
• Fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, tiny purple spots on the skin, and / or seizures (convulsions)

The less severe side effects include:

• Stomach pain, mild nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• Mild heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating
• Dizziness, headache, drowsiness
• Sweating or
• Ringing in ears

Tell your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects or if side effects get worse or don't go away.

Ketorolac side effects

Is Ketorolac safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using ketorolac in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the pregnancy risk category C (possibly risky) for trimesters 1 and 2, and category D (there is evidence that it is risky) for trimester 3 according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Ketorolac Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines may interact with Ketorolac?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

• Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• Thiothixene (Navane)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix)
• Muscle relaxants
• Steroids (prednisone and others)
• Seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Heart or high blood pressure medications candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), valsartan (Diovan), telmisartan (Micardis), or olmesartan (Benicar); or
• Aspirin or other NSAIDs such as etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve) Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others

Can food or alcohol interact with Ketorolac?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Ketorolac?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Alcohol abuse or
• Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) or
• Edema (swelling of the face, fingers, feet or lower legs due to too much fluid in the body) or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease (severe) or
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) —the risk of side effects is increased
• Asthma or
• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure — Ketorolac can make your condition worse
• History of bleeding in the brain or
• Hemophilia or other bleeding disorder — Ketorolac increases the risk of serious bleeding
• History of gastric or intestinal bleeding or
• History of colitis, stomach ulcers, or other stomach or intestinal problems — Ketorolac can worsen stomach or intestinal problems. Also, stomach or intestinal bleeding is easier to occur during ketorolac therapy in people with this condition

Ketorolac Drug Interactions

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Abdominal pain
• Bloody, black or dark bowel movements
• Vomiting blood or vomiting looks like coffee
• Sleepy
• Slow or fast breathing, shallow breaths
• Coma (temporary loss of consciousness)

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.