Did your doctor prescribe you this Ketorolac pill for severe pain, perhaps after surgery? It is a very strong painkiller. Therefore, we need to be very careful when using it. It is not a good medicine to use continuously for days. So let's see what you need to know about this medicine.
What is this Ketorolac?
Simply put, Ketorolac is a medicine that is used to control moderate to severe pain , but only for a short period of time . You may remember that sometimes when you have an injury, the area around your body becomes swollen, red, and painful. That's what we call inflammation. What this medicine does is reduce that inflammation and relieve the pain.
This medicine belongs to the group of drugs called NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug). You may have heard of medicines like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac. They also belong to this group. But Ketorolac is a much stronger medicine than them. That is why it is not recommended to use it for more than 5 days.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting Ketorolac
This is very important. This medicine may interact with some medical conditions in your body. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, you should tell your doctor without hiding anything .
| Status/habit | What you should be aware of |
|---|---|
| Heart disease and blood vessel problems | If you have had a heart attack, stroke, or mini-stroke before. If you have heart failure, or high blood pressure. |
| Recent surgeries | If you have had heart bypass surgery (CABG) within the last 2 weeks. |
| Stomach and intestinal problems | If you have stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or other related diseases. |
| Other medical conditions | If you have asthma, kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, or dehydration. |
| Lifestyle and habits | If you are a regular drinker or tobacco user. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to Ketorolac or any other NSAID (such as ibuprofen or aspirin), any other medicine, food, or coloring. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor . Take the dose at the time prescribed by your doctor.
- This pill can be taken with or without food.
- But if you experience stomach upset or heartburn, it's best to take it after a meal .
- If your doctor gives you a medicine for 5 days, stop taking it when the 5 days are up. Don't use it again, even if there are still pills left in the bottle. If you have any questions about it, ask your doctor.
Warning: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else who has the same symptoms as you. It may be dangerous.
What if the dosage of the medicine is increased (overdose)?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, skip it. Take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with Ketorolac
Ketorolac is a drug that has a high potential for interaction with other medications. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
| Do not take Ketorolac with this medicine! | |
|---|---|
| Aspirin and aspirin-like drugs | Cidofovir (an antiviral drug) |
| Other NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Naproxen) | Probenecid (a medicine for gout) |
| These things can also cause problems - seek medical advice | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Blood thinners |
| Blood pressure medication | Immune-suppressing medications (e.g., Cyclosporine, Methotrexate) |
| Some medications for depression | Types of steroids (Steroids - e.g. Prednisone, Cortisone) |
| Digoxin (for heart disease) | Lithium (for mental illness) |
| Diuretics (medicines that remove water from the body) | Some supplements (e.g. garlic, ginger) |
Things you should be careful about when taking medication
You need to be very careful about your body during the short period of taking this medicine, as it can cause serious side effects.
- 5-Day Limit: This is the most important thing to remember. Do not use Ketorolac for more than 5 days for any reason. If you use it for that long, the risk of serious side effects like stomach bleeding and kidney damage is very high.
- Stomach bleeding: This medicine can cause ulcers in the stomach or intestines, which can bleed. Sometimes this can happen without any warning .
- Heart attack and stroke risk: This medication may increase the risk of blood clots, which can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. This risk is especially high in people with heart disease.
- Serious skin reactions: Some people may develop a serious skin reaction even weeks after starting this medicine. If you develop a red rash with fever, body aches, and blisters or peeling skin, seek medical advice immediately.
- During pregnancy: If you are pregnant, especially after 20 weeks, taking this medicine may cause serious harm to your baby. This medicine is not recommended after 30 weeks.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Keep the bottle tightly closed, at room temperature, away from moisture and light.
- Do not use expired medicine.
- When disposing of unused medication, crush the medication and mix it with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, put it in a bag, seal it tightly, and throw it in the trash. Never flush it down the toilet. If you are unsure, consult your doctor.
- Ketorolac is a powerful medication for severe pain, but should not be used for more than 5 days .
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you are taking.
- While taking the medicine, watch out for symptoms such as black, tarry stools, severe stomach pain, chest pain, or severe skin rash .
- When taking Ketorolac, do not take other NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Aspirin.
- If you have any questions or doubts about this medication, ask your doctor instead of making decisions on your own.
If you experience severe stomach pain, black tarry stools, or vomit blood that is brown or red like coffee grounds , it is a serious condition. See a doctor immediately.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Ketorolac can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor or go to the ETU immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Serious allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bleeding symptoms | Black stools that look like tar, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, red/purple spots under the skin, and random bruising. |
| Heart attack symptoms | Chest, shoulder, or arm tightness or pain, nausea, difficulty breathing, sweating, fainting. |
| Stroke symptoms | Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Symptoms of kidney or liver damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, and feet, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark yellow/brown urine, and pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Headache, nausea, stomach upset, loss of appetite. |
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