Ketorolac is a drug that is used to treat severe pain in adults, know its uses, how to store it, side effects and precautions.
Ketorolac is usually used before or after a medical procedure or after surgery. With the reduction of pain, you can rest well and you can return to your daily routine. This drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It hinders the body’s generation of certain natural elements that induce inflammation. It reduces swelling, relieves fever and pain. Ketorolac should not be used in mild or prolonged pain conditions such as arthritis.
Ketorolac Dosage?
This medicine is usually taken with water every four to six hours. You should not lie down for about 10 minutes after taking this drug. If your stomach gets upset after taking this medicine, take it with milk or antacids. Its dosage depends on your medical condition and treatment. To reduce the risk of side effects of this drug, you should take it in small doses for some time. Try not to use it for more than five days. If you still have pain after five days, talk to your doctor. Do not take more than 40 mg of it within 24 hours.
If you take this drug when needed, then keep in mind that it works well when taken at the beginning of pain. If you take it when you cannot tolerate the pain at all, it will not show that much effect.
How do I store Ketorolac?
Always store Ketorolake at room temperature. Keep it away from direct sunlight and moisture. Never store it to freeze to prevent it from getting damaged. It has different brands, which may also have different guidelines on how to store it. To gather information related to the storage, read the necessary instructions written on the medicine package or ask your doctor about it. Just to be safe, keep all medications away from kids and pets.
If the medication is not used or it expires, do not flush it in the toilet nor trash it without the doctor’s instructions. Consult your pharmacist about destroying the medicine safely.
Precautions and warnings before using Ketorolac?
If you are allergic to aspirin or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, tell your doctor before starting this medicine. It may contain some inactive ingredients, which may cause you to have allergies or other problems. Consult your doctor for more information.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. Especially if you have asthma, bleeding or clotting problems (such as anaemia), heart disease, high blood pressure, liver-related problems, throat, stomach and intestinal problems.
Sometimes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ketorolac can cause kidney problems in some people. If you are dehydrated, it can cause more problems. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If you feel any problem with urine, talk to your doctor about it.
You may feel tired and weak by taking this medicine. Do not drive or do anything in which you need to be cautious.
You can become more sensitive to sunlight after taking this medicine. Therefore, stay in sun for a short time only. Apply sunscreen and wear full clothes before going out.
Before surgery or emergency treatment or if you have any serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
Some people may be more sensitive to this medicine. This may cause them to have bleeding in the intestines or kidney problems. Excess dose and long-term use of this medicine may increase such risk.
Taking Ketorolac during pregnancy or breastfeeding
There is no specific information about what kind of problems women may experience using ketorolac during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In such a situation, always consult your doctor about its advantages and disadvantages before using Ketorolac.
Ketorolac is in the ‘D’ category of pregnancy according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Risk categories for pregnancy prescribed by FDA
A = no risk
B = no risk in some studies
C = there may be some risk
D = positive evidence of risk
X = contradictory
N = unknown
Side effects of Ketorolac
- Feeling dizzy
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- A feeling of weakness or fatigue
If any of these side effects are seen, talk to your doctor immediately.
Always remember that doctors prescribe this medicine for you only when its benefits outweigh the side effects. However, no side effects have been observed on many people using this medicine.
Taking this medicine can cause your blood pressure to be high. Therefore, keep the blood pressure check. If blood pressure is high, tell your doctor about this immediately.
If you experience fainting, rapid heartbeat, hearing changes (eg ear ringing), mental / mood changes (eg confusion, depression), very high headaches, abdominal pain, sudden weight gain, swelling of hands or feet, blurred vision, abnormal fatigue, etc., stop taking Ketorolac immediately and tell your doctor about it.
Taking Ketorolac can cause serious liver problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms of liver damage (dark-coloured urine, abdominal pain, persistent nausea, yellowing of eyes or skin).
Any serious allergic reactions with this medicine are rarely seen, but if any symptoms like rash, itching/swelling (especially on the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, difficulty in breathing, etc. report it to your doctor immediately.
However, these side effects do not necessarily show at all. Some side effects are not mentioned here. If you have any question about any kind of side effects caused by it, talk to your doctor.
What medicines cannot be used with Ketorolac?
These drugs can react with the following conditions:
Aliskiren
ACE inhibitors (eg captopril and lisinopril)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (eg losartan and valsartan)
Lithium
Methotrexate
Probenecid
Cortico Steroids (eg Prednisone)
Medications that may affect the kidneys (include furosemide such as cidofovir, water pills)
Taking this medicine along with other medicines is likely to cause bleeding. For example, anti-platelet medicine clopidogrel or blood thinners such as dabigatran, enoxaparin, warfarin etc.
If your doctor is giving you a small dose of aspirin to avoid a heart attack with this medicine, then you can take it.
Taking Ketorolac with other drugs is more likely to cause side effects. To avoid any ill effects, you should keep a list of all the medicines you are using (including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and herbal products). Show this list to your doctor and pharmacist. For safety, do not start taking any medication without the approval of your doctor, neither stop taking the medicine nor change the dosage.
Can Ketorolac be used along with food or alcohol?
There may be a chance of stomach bleeding by taking this medicine. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco along with daily medication increases the chances of stomach bleeding. Therefore, do not consume alcohol and cigarettes with medicine.
Effects of Ketorolac on health
Ketorolac can be dangerous in some cases. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about your current health conditions before consuming them.
What to do in case of overdose or emergency?
Contact your local doctor or hospital for an overdose or emergency.
What should I do if I miss the dose of Ketorolac?
If you miss the dose of Ketorolac, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the second dose, then miss a dose instead of taking a double dose.