toradol

Ketorolac is used for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is usually used before or after medical procedures or after surgery. Reducing pain helps you recover more comfortably so that you can return to your normal daily activities. This medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking your body's production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps to decrease swelling, pain, or fever. Ketorolac should not be used for mild or long-term painful conditions (such as arthritis).

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you are using this drug on a regular schedule (not "as needed") and you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using ketorolac. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This medication is given by injection into a muscle or vein by a health care professional. It may be given as a one-time dose or given on a regular schedule. If given on a regular schedule, it is usually injected every 6 hours as needed, or as directed by your doctor. This drug must not be injected into the spine. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, use this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Do not increase your dose, use it more frequently, or use it for longer than 5 days. If you still have pain after 5 days, talk with your doctor about other medications you may use. If you have "breakthrough" pain while using this medication, ask your doctor about other medications that you can use with this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens or if your pain is not relieved.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: methotrexate, probenecid, other medications that may affect the kidneys (including cidofovir, cyclosporine, tenofovir, "water pills"/diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene). This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when used with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Some affected drugs include anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as enoxaparin/warfarin, bisphosphonates such as alendronate, corticosteroids such as prednisone, SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine/sertraline, among others. This medication can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include lithium, pemetrexed, among others. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) that are similar to this drug and may increase your risk of side effects if used together. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), you should continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor directs you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, extreme drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing.

Before using ketorolac, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), bleeding or clotting problems, blood disorders (such as anemia), heart disease (such as congestive heart failure, previous heart attack), high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), throat/stomach/intestinal problems (such as bleeding, heartburn, ulcers), stroke, swelling of the ankles/feet/hands, a severe loss of body water (dehydration). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. This medicine may cause stomach/intestinal bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medication may infrequently make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially bleeding in the stomach/intestines or effects on the kidneys. Using high doses for a long time may increase this risk. During the first 6 months of pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk in very small amounts and the effect on a nursing infant is unknown. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital and will not be stored at home.

See also Warning section. Pain at the injection site, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, upset stomach, or unusual tiredness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fainting, fast/pounding heartbeat, hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears), mental/mood changes (such as confusion, depression), persistent/severe headache, stomach pain, sudden/unexplained weight gain, swelling of the hands or feet, vision changes (such as blurred vision), easy bruising/bleeding, change in amount of urine, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat), symptoms of meningitis (such as unexplained stiff neck, fever). This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including: dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

It is important that you use this medication properly to help reduce your risk of side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dose if you are older, have low body weight, or have kidney problems. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including ketorolac) may rarely increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. The risk may be increased if you have heart disease or increased risk for heart disease (due to conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes), or with longer use. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this drug. This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. This effect can occur without warning at any time while using this drug. Older adults may be at higher risk for this effect. Do not use this medication if you have stomach/intestinal problems (such as bleeding, ulcers). Stop using ketorolac and seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects: bloody or black/tarry stools, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes, slurred speech. This drug should not be used right before or after heart bypass surgery (CABG) or before any surgery. It also should not be used during labor/delivery or in people with severe kidney problems or high risk for kidney problems. Do not use ketorolac if you are taking high doses of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). See also Drug Interactions section.