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Toradol Pain Reliever
Toradol® (ketorolac tromethamine) is a drug approved to reduce moderate-to-severe pain related to various causes, such as kidney stones, back problems, and cancer. It is approved for short-term use only, meaning adults should not take this drug for more than five days and children should only receive a single dose at a time.
This medication is available by prescription only, and is given orally (in tablet form), by injection, or through an intravenous (IV) line. Pain relief usually begins about 30 minutes after a person receives a dose of Toradol. The maximum effect occurs within two to three hours and lasts, on average, four to six hours.
As a pain reliever, Toradol belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and works by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Although most people tolerate Toradol well, it is not suitable for everyone. Side effects may include nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
(For a complete overview of this pain reliever, click Toradol. This article discusses how Toradol works, lists potential side effects, and covers safety concerns to be aware of before using it.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD