Drug Database - Toradol

Generic Name: ketorolac (KEE-toe-ROLE-ak)

Brand Names: Toradol®

Classification: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Issue Date: 1997

Toradol is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Toradol works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Toradol is used short-term (5 days or less) to treat moderate to severe pain.

Important Facts

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek EMERGENCY medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as:

• chest pain
• weakness
• shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• problems with vision or balance

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking Toradol. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor AT ONCE if you have symptoms of BLEEDING in your stomach or intestines. This includes:

• black
• bloody, or tarry stools
• coughing up blood
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds

How To Take Toradol (ketorolac)

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Toradol is not for treating minor aches and pains.

Toradol is usually given first as an injection, and then as an oral (by mouth) medicine. Toradol injection is given through a needle into a muscle or a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.

The Toradol tablet should be taken with a full glass of water. Toradol is normally given for 5 days or less, including both the injection and oral forms combined. Long-term use of Toradol can damage your kidneys or cause bleeding. If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have recently used Toradol. Store Toradol tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If You Forget A Dose

Since Toradol is taken as needed for pain, you may not be on a dosing schedule. And if you receive Toradol injection in a hospital setting, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. DO NOT take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek EMERGENCY medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• black or bloody stools
• coughing up blood
• fever
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• shallow breathing
• fainting
• coma

Do not take Toradol if you are also taking:

• pentoxifylline (Trental®)
• probenecid (Benemid®)

DO NOT take Toradol with aspirin or other NSAIDs such as:

• ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®)
• naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®)
• diclofenac (Voltaren®)
• diflunisal (Dolobid®)
• etodolac (Lodine®)
• flurbiprofen (Ansaid®)
• indomethacin (Indocin®)
• ketoprofen (Orudis®)
• mefenamic acid (Ponstel®)
• meloxicam (Mobic®)
• nabumetone (Relafen®)
• piroxicam (Feldene®)

Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAID's can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Toradol, aspirin, or other NSAIDs, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
• a closed head injury or bleeding in your brain
• a stomach ulcer or a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding
• if you are breast-feeding a baby

Before taking Toradol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure
• liver or kidney disease
• asthma
• polyps in your nose
• if you have recently had surgery
• if you smoke

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Toradol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking Toradol during labor can increase the risk of bleeding during childbirth. Do not take Toradol during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can affect fertility (your ability to have children). DO NOT take Toradol while you are trying to get pregnant.

Toradol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old.

Side Effects

Get EMERGENCY medical help if you have any of these signs of an ALLERGIC reaction:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face
• lips
• tongue
• throat

Stop taking Toradol and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these SERIOUS side effects:

• chest pain
• weakness, shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• problems with vision or balance
• black, bloody, or tarry stools
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• confusion, tremors or shaking
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever
• loss of appetite
• dark urine, clay-colored stools
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness

Keep taking Toradol and talk to your doctor if you have any of these LESS serious side effects:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain
• diarrhea, constipation
• bloating, gas
• dizziness, headache, nervousness
• skin itching or rash
• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• increased sweating, runny nose
• blurred vision
• ringing in your ears

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before taking Toradol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid®)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex®, Trexall®)
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix®)
• seizure medications such as:
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Tegretol®)
• phenytoin (Dilantin®)
• medicine for depression or mental illness
• muscle relaxers
• steroids (prednisone and others)

• an ACE inhibitor such as:
• benazepril (Lotensin®)
• captopril (Capoten®)
• fosinopril (Monopril®)
• enalapril (Vasotec®)
• lisinopril (Prinivil®, Zestril®)
• ramipril (Altace®), and others

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Toradol or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Toradol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.