Toradol
® (
ketorolac tromethamine) is a prescription medication that has been licensed for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. "Short-term" is defined as no longer than five days for adults. Children should not receive more than one dose of Toradol.
The medication is most often used to treat pain following a procedure, but may also be used for such things as pain caused by
kidney stones,
back pain, or cancer pain.
It belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or
NSAIDs for short.
Toradol is manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals.
Toradol and other NSAIDs are thought to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.
Blocking the effects of prostaglandins is what makes Toradol and other NSAIDs useful for reducing pain. In clinical studies, this medication was as effective as lower doses of narcotics at treating pain. When it was combined with narcotic pain medicines (such as
morphine), it decreased the amount of narcotics needed. Also, pain relief was significantly better in those receiving Toradol and morphine compared to those receiving morphine alone.
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.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Toradol include the following:
- The medication comes in tablet form. It also can be administered by injection or through an intravenous line (IV).
- To avoid an upset stomach, take Toradol with food or milk.
- For Toradol to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The medication will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Toradol your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your weight
- Your age
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Toradol. Yet, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. If people do develop side effects, in many cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The risk of side effects seems to be related to the amount of Toradol taken and other factors, including:
- Your age
- Your general health
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
(Click Toradol Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Toradol?
Before taking this drug, let your healthcare provider know if you have:
- Asthma
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Bleeding problems (or if you are taking medicine that decreases your blood's ability to clot)
- Diabetes
- Nasal polyps
- Seizures
- A history of hallucinations
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE)
- Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of either condition
- Any allergies to medicines, including aspirin or other NSAID pain medicines.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant (see Toradol and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol frequently
- Smoke
- Are having or have recently had heart surgery.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), probenecid, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Toradol may have overdose symptoms that could include but are not limited to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Excessive sleepiness
- Bleeding
- Kidney failure
- Coma.
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Toradol Be Stored?
Store Toradol tablets at room temperature in a dry place and in an airtight container. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Toradol as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose.
Toradol tablets are available in one strength -- Toradol 10 mg.
Toradol injections are available in several strengths, including:
- Toradol 15 mg per mL vial
- Toradol 30 mg per mL vial
- Toradol 60 mg per 2 mL vial.
Toradol is available in generic form
(see Generic Toradol for more information).
