ketorolac
Brand names: Toradol
Ketorolac (Toradol) is a strong pain reliever. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Drug Shortage Alert
ketorolac is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Gland Pharma Limited. Status: Available.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$11.41/unit
Generic Available
Yes (30 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Ketorolac is used for short-term relief of moderate to severe pain.
Common side effects
Stomach pain, Constipation or diarrhea, Upset stomach
Key warnings
Ketorolac can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding, and holes in the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Ketorolac is given as an injection into a muscle or vein. The total combined use of injections and oral tablets should not exceed 5 days. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you. The injection is given slowly into the muscle or vein.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Ketorolac may harm your unborn baby. Do not use ketorolac during labor and delivery. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature (68 to 77°F). Protect from light and keep in its original container.
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Established and Other Potentially Clinically Significant Drug Interactions Concomitant Drug/Drug Class Effect on Drug Concentration Recommendation Ketorolac tromethamine ↑ ketorolac tromethamine Contraindicated Ketoprofen ↑ ketoprofen Concomitant use is not recommended.
Mechanism: Probenecid slows down the body's ability to clear ketorolac, which leads to much higher and potentially unsafe levels of the drug in your system.
What to do: These two medicines should not be used together.
Table 3: Drugs that Can Increase the Risk of Bleeding Drug Class Specific Drugs Anticoagulants argatroban, dabigatran, bivalirudin, desirudin, heparin, lepirudin Antiplatelet Agents aspirin, cilostazol, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, prasugrel, ticlopidine Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents celecoxib, diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid, naproxen, oxaprozin, piroxicam, sulindac Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, milnacipran, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafa...
Mechanism: Both drugs interfere with how your blood clots, which increases the risk of bleeding. Taking them together creates an additive effect that makes it harder for your body to stop a bleed.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood tests closely while you are taking these medications. Watch for signs of bleeding like easy bruising, nosebleeds, or dark stools.
These agents include medications such as: anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors including acetylsalicylic acid, salicylates, NSAIDs (including ketorolac tromethamine), dipyridamole, or sulfinpyrazone.
Mechanism: Both drugs affect how your blood clots, and taking them together increases your risk of serious bleeding.
What to do: Use this combination with caution and tell your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding.
Common Questions
Can I take ketorolac for my chronic back pain?
Can I take ketorolac with aspirin?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can I drive while taking ketorolac?
Can I take ketorolac before surgery?
What should I do if I experience severe stomach pain?
Is ketorolac safe for elderly patients?
Can I use ketorolac for a headache?
What if I am allergic to aspirin?
How long does it take for ketorolac to start working?
What are the common side effects of ketorolac?
Does ketorolac interact with other medications?
What drug class is ketorolac?
Is ketorolac safe during pregnancy?
Has ketorolac been recalled?
Is ketorolac currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Apotex Corp.
CGMP Deviations:
Akorn, Inc.
Crystallization; identified as calcium salt of Ketorolac
Hospira Inc.
Crystallization; identified as calcium salt of Ketorolac
Hospira Inc.
Related Medications in Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
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acetaminophen/hydrocodone
Vicodin, Norco
This medicine contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
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acetaminophen/oxycodone
Percocet
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adalimumab
Humira
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What the FDA Data Shows for ketorolac
The FDA label for ketorolac (sold under brand names such as Toradol) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Ketorolac is used for short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. Official labeling lists 26 commonly reported side effects, including Stomach pain, Constipation or diarrhea, Upset stomach.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 3 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $11.41.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 4 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 12, 2022
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages