What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Diflunisal and ketorolac
Ketorolac's FDA label (Sprix) of December 5, 2024 names diflunisal in its drug interactions section; diflunisal's label does not name ketorolac itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The ketorolac label: “Concomitant use of ketorolac with other NSAIDs or salicylates increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions () and Clinical Pharmacology () ].”
Check it at the source: the diflunisal FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026, Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.); the ketorolac FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 31, 2023, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC).
What does the diflunisal label say about ketorolac?
Diflunisal's label does not name ketorolac itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Diflunisal label, boxed warningGastrointestinal Risk NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Diflunisal label, warningsGastrointestinal Effects – Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding and Perforation NSAIDs, including diflunisal tablets, can cause serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, which can be fatal.
Source: FDA drug label (diflunisal), Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective August 4, 2026 (SPL set 666f89b4-fd81-420a-a390-eb1cd4014f61), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the ketorolac label say about diflunisal?
Sprix label (Zyla Life Sciences US LLC, December 5, 2024), drug interactionsNSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of ketorolac with other NSAIDs or salicylates (…) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions () and Clinical Pharmacology () ]. Intervention: The concomitant use of ketorolac with other NSAIDs or salicylates is not recommended.
Source: FDA drug label (Sprix, NDA022382), Zyla Life Sciences US LLC, effective December 5, 2024 (SPL set 97005a1c-167e-4676-bae7-e49b38c36f9e), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Ketorolac Tromethamine), Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, effective August 31, 2023 (SPL set 3d88cbe6-5230-47aa-80af-0c41283d1f00), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Diflunisal | Ketorolac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Pain |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $1.06 per tablet 500 mg tablet | $1.02 per mL 30 mg/mL vial |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once