Toradol

Toradol is a prescription drug most commonly used to treat pain following a procedure. The drug has been licensed for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. In previous clinical studies, Toradol was as effective as lower doses of narcotics at treating pain. As a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, it works by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

What Is Toradol?

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.

(Click Toradol Uses for more information on how the drug is used, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes It?

Toradol is manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals.

How Does It Work?

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.

Effects of Toradol

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.

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