Ketorolac

Ketorolac should not be used in case of any known allergy to either of the components or to NSAIDs in general. Ketorolac is not recommended for use in case of high risk or history of any liver disease, kidney disease, peptic ulcer disease, bleeding disorders, heart failure, asthma, IBD or if you have had any kind of stroke (even transient ischaemic stroke). Ketorolac should be used with absolute caution in those with a history of bleeding disorders or if you have had surgery recently. Keep your doctor informed if you are on any medication for fever, infection, coagulopathy, diabetes, diuresis (urine-forming drugs), asthma, hypertension, birth control, or pain relief. Consult your doctor before using Ketorolac during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as it is not recommended for use in these states. Avoid Ketorolac with alcohol as there may be an interaction. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Ketorolac as it can alter your mental ability to think clearly and cause drowsiness and giddiness.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Ketorolac may interact with antihypertensives (captopril, lisinopril, losartan), diuretics (furosemide), mood stabiliser (lithium), DMARD (methotrexate), steroids (prednisolone), aspirin and blood-thinners (clopidogrel, warfarin, enoxaparin etc), anti-gout drug (probenecid), anti-epileptic drugs (phenytoin, carbamazepine), psychoactive drugs (fluoxetine, alprazolam), muscle-pain reliever (pentoxifylline) and anti-depressants (SSRI’s like citalopram, escitalopram) etc.

Drug-Food Interactions: Ketorolac may interact with high-fat foods and alcohol.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Ketorolac should be used with caution in patients with a known hypersensitivity disorder, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, kidney disease, liver disease, arterial or thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular health disorders, corneal damage, visual disturbances, eye infections, asthma, bleeding disorders, peptic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, dry eye syndrome, hypertension, anaemia, nasal polyps (overgrowth in the nose), stroke and any disease-causing swelling in the feet and hands.

• Keep your doctor informed if you are planning to or are pregnant.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

• Invest in a balanced diet. Load up on lean meats, fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts, oily fish etc. Limit your intake of sweets and sugars, as these can worsen inflammation.

• Cut back on alcohol, as this can worsen pain states as well as the quality of your sleep.

• Try meditation and deep breathing to reduce overall stress and pain.

• Stop smoking as smoking is known to worsen pain conditions.

• Engage in mild physical exercise daily and keep your body active.

• Take Ketorolac exactly as prescribed. 

• In case you miss a dose of Ketorolac, skip it and resume when it is time for the second dose only. Do not ever take a double dose.

• It is very difficult to overdose on Ketorolac however, if you accidentally take extra doses of Ketorolac, please inform your doctor or go to a hospital immediately. Some of the symptoms of an overdose can cause blurred vision, shortness of breath, difficulty in speaking, severe headache, unusual tiredness, fainting and or ringing in the ears.

• Ketorolac is not meant for use in children.

• Ketorolac is not meant for use for mild pain.

• Ketorolac is not meant for long-term use.

• Do not discontinue taking Ketorolac abruptly or without the advice of the physician.

• Please know that your doctor may order blood tests to check the effects of Ketorolac on your blood as Ketorolac may, in rare cases, cause anaemia (low blood levels).