Ketorolac Tromethamine

The label describes ketorolac tablets for short-term management, up to 5 days, of moderately severe acute pain needing opioid-level pain relief, usually after surgery.

Treatment must start with ketorolac by IV or IM injection. The tablets are only for continuation. The tablets are not approved for children.

• Moderately severe acute pain in adults
• Only as continuation after injection
• Total duration 5 days or less

The label we reviewed for this tablet does not describe the mechanism. Another US label for a nasal form of ketorolac says it blocks COX enzymes, reducing prostaglandins that sensitize nerves to pain.

This page covers the US label for ketorolac tromethamine tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

For adults aged 17 to 64, the label describes 20 mg once, then 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, up to 40 mg a day. For those aged 65 or older, kidney impaired, or under 50 kg, it is 10 mg once, then 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours, up to 40 mg a day.

The tablet should not be given as the first dose. The combined duration of injection and tablets must not exceed 5 days. The dosing interval should not be shortened. The label says it is not approved for patients under 17.

• Not for the first dose
• 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours after the first dose
• Maximum 40 mg a day
• Combined use must not exceed 5 days

The label refers to a boxed warning and says the most serious risks are stomach ulceration, bleeding and perforation, which can be fatal. It is contraindicated with active or past peptic ulcer or stomach bleeding.

It is contraindicated in people who had asthma, hives or allergic reactions after aspirin or other NSAIDs, and in known hypersensitivity. Risk rises in older age, with steroids or anticoagulants, smoking and alcohol use.

NSAIDs can harm the fetus in later pregnancy, so use is limited around 20 to 30 weeks and avoided from about 30 weeks.

• Do not use more than 5 days
• Not for people with ulcers or past stomach bleeding
• Not for aspirin or NSAID allergy
• Higher risk in older adults
• Avoid from about 30 weeks of pregnancy

• Warfarin and heparin
• Oral corticosteroids
• Other NSAIDs or aspirin
• Digoxin and salicylates
• The label describes ketorolac as highly protein bound.
• Studies with warfarin, digoxin, salicylate and heparin looked at binding and effects.
• The label warns that steroids and anticoagulants raise bleeding risk with NSAIDs.
• The label we reviewed lists more interactions than we reviewed in full.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

The label also says to protect it from light, keep the container tightly closed.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, ketorolac tromethamine is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 272 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.

We did not find ketorolac tromethamine on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 in the list we checked.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 3 product rows that mention ketorolac tromethamine. We did not capture prices for them.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 2 entries that mention ketorolac tromethamine. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

Jan Aushadhi lists ketorolac tromethamine products including Ketorolac Tromethamine Tablets IP 10mg 10mg; Ketorolac Tromethamine Dispersible Tablet 10 mg 10 mg; Ketorolac Tromethamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.4% w/v None. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.