Ketorolac

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Ketorolac, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the short-term management of severe, acute pain, as well as for the short-term treatment of itchy eyes caused by seasonal allergies. Ketorolac relieves pain and reduces fever and inflammation by blocking the production of prostaglandins. It is sometimes used with a narcotic to provide better pain relief than either drug alone can offer.

This drug is available by prescription only as an injectable liquid, tablets and eye drops. The effectiveness of all forms is usually apparent in 30 to 60 minutes.

Ketorolac should be used with caution by patients with known bleeding disorders or sensitivities to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as by patients with a history of alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, edema, kidney or liver disease, lupus erythematosus, asthma, colitis, heart disease, or high blood pressure. The safety of this drug for pregnant or breast-feeding women or for children has not been determined. The eyedrop solution should not be used by patients wearing contact lenses. Abdominal or stomach pain, bruising at the site of injection, drowsiness, indigestion, and nausea are the most common side effects of both the oral and injected forms of the drug. Less common side effects are bloating or gas, burning or pain at the injection site, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, a feeling of fullness in the abdominal or stomach area, headache, increased sweating, vomiting, edema, decrease in urine output, renal failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation.

A temporary stinging and burning sensation in the eye is the most common side effect of the eyedrop solution. Less common side effects are eye irritation, allergic reactions, superficial eye infections, and superficial inflammation of the eye’s cornea.

Ketorolac may interact adversely with aspirin, acetaminophen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, as well as with lithium, methotrexate, probenecid, ketoprofen, nabumetone, naproxen, and oxaprozin. Use of ketorolac with blood-thinning drugs, cefamandole, cefoperazone, cefotetan, heparin, moxalactam, plicamycin, or valproic acid may increase risk of bleeding.

Brand Names: Acular, Toradol

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