Ketorolac (Injection)

Brand Name(s)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.
• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is not for long-term use. This medicine should never be used longer than 5 days.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Introduction

Ketorolac Tromethamine (kee-toe-ROLE-ak troe-METH-a-meen)

Treats pain caused by surgery. This is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, circulation problems, or untreated high blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or a history of asthma.
• If you are more than 16 years of age, you should not use this medicine for more than 5 days unless your doctor has told you to.
• This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.
• This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner).
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ketorolac, aspirin, or any pain or arthritis medicines such as Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Naprosyn®. You should not use this medicine if you have a stomach ulcer, a bleeding disorder, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use this medicine if you have advanced kidney disease. Do not use this medicine right before or right after having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a type of heart surgery. You should not take this medicine if you are using probenecid (Probalan®).

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or a steroid such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Orapred®. Tell your doctor if you are using methotrexate (Trexall®), or a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using fluoxetine, heparin, lithium, thiothixene, Eskalith®, Navane®, or Prozac®. Tell your doctor if you use blood pressure medicine such as enalapril, lisinopril, Accupril®, Lotensin®, Lotrel®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Vasotec®, or Zestril®. Your doctor will need to know if you are using an epilepsy medicine such as phenytoin or carbamazepine, or sedatives such as alprazolam (Xanax®).

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Bloody or black, tarry stools.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf).
• Problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
• Skin rash or blisters with fever.
• Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness.
• Sudden or severe headache.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Unusual weight gain.
• Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Changes in your vision.
• Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or indigestion.
• Drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Headache.
• Mild stomach pain.
• Pain where the shot was given.
• Ringing in your ears.