etodolac vs ketorolac
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of etodolac and ketorolac. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Etodolac is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medicine. It helps reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by arthritis and other conditions.
Ketorolac (Toradol) is a strong pain reliever. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Etodolac treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can help with pain and swelling in your joints. Etodolac is also used for short-term relief of acute pain.
Ketorolac is used for short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. It is often used after surgery. You should only use it for up to 5 days.
Etodolac is an NSAID, which stands for Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It can help to reduce fever as well.
Ketorolac reduces pain by blocking the production of substances called prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation and pain. By reducing prostaglandins, ketorolac helps to alleviate pain.
- • Upset stomach
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- • Gas
- • Heartburn
- • Stomach pain
- • Constipation or diarrhea
- • Upset stomach
- • Gas
- • Feeling full
- Pain 350
- Nausea 290
- Arthralgia 284
- Fatigue 272
- Headache 238
No adverse event reports.
NSAIDs like etodolac can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may happen early in treatment and increases with longer use. You should not take etodolac if you are having heart bypass surgery. NSAIDs also increase the risk of serious stomach problems like bleeding and ulcers, which can be fatal. Older adults are at higher risk for these stomach problems.
Ketorolac can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding, and holes in the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. It can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. Ketorolac is not for long-term use or for treating minor pain. Do not take it before major surgery. It can also cause kidney problems and bleeding problems.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Etodolac may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if etodolac passes into breast milk.
Ketorolac may harm your unborn baby. Do not use ketorolac during labor and delivery. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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How to Read This etodolac vs ketorolac Comparison
etodolac is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while ketorolac sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, etodolac has 1,434 submissions while ketorolac has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for etodolac or ketorolac.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.