What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ketorolac and pentoxifylline
Ketorolac's FDA label of August 31, 2023 names pentoxifylline in its contraindications section; pentoxifylline's label does not name ketorolac itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The ketorolac label: “… more than an NSAID alone. When ketorolac is administered concurrently with pentoxifylline, there is an increased risk of bleeding.”
Check it at the source: the ketorolac FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 31, 2023, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC); the pentoxifylline FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 15, 2026, Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc.).
What does the ketorolac label say about pentoxifylline?
Ketorolac label, contraindicationsThe concomitant use of ketorolac tromethamine and pentoxifylline is contraindicated.
Sprix label (Zyla Life Sciences US LLC, December 5, 2024), contraindicationsThrough its prostaglandin synthesis inhibitory effect, ketorolac may adversely affect fetal circulation and inhibit uterine contractions, thus increasing the risk of uterine hemorrhage [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 ) ] Use in patients with suspected or confirmed cerebrovascular bleeding, hemorrhagic diathesis, incomplete hemostasis, or those for whom hemostasis is critical [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 ) ] Concomitant use with probenecid [ see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) ] Concomitant use with pentoxifylline [ see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) ] Known hypersensitivity to ketorolac or any components of the drug product ( 4 ) History of asthma, urticaria, or …
Sprix label (Zyla Life Sciences US LLC, December 5, 2024), drug interactionsDrugs that Interfere with Hemostasis Clinical Impact: Ketorolac and anticoagulants such as warfarin have a synergistic effect on bleeding. The concomitant use of ketorolac and anticoagulants have an increased risk of serious bleeding compared to the use of either drug alone [ see Clinical Pharmacology () ]. Serotonin release by platelets plays an important role in hemostasis. … inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions () ]. Concomitant use of SPRIX and pentoxifylline is contraindicated [ see Contraindications () and Warnings and Precautions () ].
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
What does the pentoxifylline label say about ketorolac?
Pentoxifylline's label does not name ketorolac itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Pentoxifylline label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS Bleeding has been reported in patients treated with pentoxifylline extended-release tablets with or without concomitant NSAIDs, anticoagulants, or platelet aggregation inhibitors.
Source: FDA drug label (Pentoxifylline), Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc., effective May 15, 2026 (SPL set cd840a2c-2a0e-4b2b-84ff-a0406bb6fa37), 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
| Ketorolac | Pentoxifylline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $1.02 per mL 30 mg/mL vial | $0.227 per tablet 400 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
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