Two medicines, side by side
Diclofenac vs ketorolac
Diclofenac and ketorolac are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diclofenac since 1988 and of ketorolac since 1989. Pharmacies paid $0.0619 per diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet and $1.02 per mL (Ketorolac 30 mg/mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and ketorolac a cyclooxygenase inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025); the ketorolac FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 31, 2023).
Highlights of the diclofenac record
Diclofenac (Voltaren) · label of February 11, 2025
Used for
From the label: indications• for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas: o hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas) o foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas) • this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 28, 1988
- Generic labelers
- 149 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0619 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 6
Highlights of the ketorolac record
Ketorolac (Toradol) · label of August 31, 2023
Ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is indicated for the short-term (up to 5 days in adults) management of moderately severe acute pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level. Oral ketorolac tromethamine is indicated only as continuation treatment following intravenous or intramuscular dosing of ketorolac tromethamine, if necessary.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of ketorolac tromethamine and other treatment options before deciding to use ketorolac. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 30, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.02 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025, Ketorolac label of August 31, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diclofenac and ketorolac differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and ketorolac a cyclooxygenase inhibitor.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: diclofenac since 1995; ketorolac since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diclofenac | Ketorolac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | of ketorolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition. The biological activity of ketorolac tromethamine is associated with the S-form. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The half-life of the ketorolac tromethamine S-enantiomer was approximately 2.5 hours (SD ± 0.4) compared with 5 hours (SD ± 1.7) for the R-enantiomer. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 28, 1988 | November 30, 1989 |
| First generic approved | June 29, 1995 | May 16, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 149 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet) | $1.02 per mL (Ketorolac 30 mg/mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | -25% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 158,675 | 5,597 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Diclofenac label, drug interactions (prescription label)The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of diclofenac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to diclofenac
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions