Is Ketorolac the Ultimate Answer to Your Intense Pain?

Ketorlac is a pain relief medicine that helps to treat different types of pain.

It is used to treat moderate to severe pain in the short term. Ketorolac is part of the class of medications known as NSAIDs. When body tissues get damaged, the production of chemicals known as prostaglandins occurs at the injury site. It causes inflammation and fever in people. This drug works and stops prostaglandin production.

When should you use it?

 

You can use this drug for treating these conditions:

• Acute migraine
• Ocular itching along with pain
• Post-surgery any pain or swelling in the eyes
• Acute pericarditis
• Inflammatory reactions
• Intraoperative miosis
• Postoperative acute pain

 

Effectiveness of this drug

 

Ketorolac is used before and after any medical procedure or after surgery. Lowering pain aids to recover more comfortably thus making it possible for a person to come back to his normal activities. It is more effective compared to other NSAIDs that help to lower pain from not only inflammatory but also non-inflammatory causes. The medication will work and block the enzyme that cells use to make prostaglandins. Thus it decreases the production of prostaglandins along with chemicals. As a result, it reduces pain, inflammation, and other signs and symptoms of fever, redness, and swelling.

 

How long does this drug take to start working?

 

Ketorolac action starts very quickly. People can feel this drug’s impact within 15 minutes after using it. Its effect can stay for almost six hours. You can use oral Ketorolac every six hours or as required for treating your pain. 

 

How to make this drug most effective?

 

Before using it you must go through the prescription label. You must follow allow instructions provided by your doctor and start using it.

 

• Use it each 4-6 hours with water. You can also stick to the instructions mentioned by your doctor. After using it, if you feel stomach upset, try using it with milk, food, or antacid the next time.
• Ketorolac dosage is based on the different medical conditions and the way your body responds to this treatment. To lower the risk of stomach bleeding and different side effects try using this drug for a short time at a minimum dosage. If you still suffer from pain after 5 days, then contact your doctor and ask for some alternative that you can take. Within 24 hours, avoid using it over 40 milligrams.
• If you are using it in tablet form use 10mg and if you opt for Ketorolac injection solution you can either use 15mg/ML or 30mg/ML as your doctor prescribed. 
• You must start your treatment with the injection. If treatment is continued after patients begin to eat and drink, then you need to use tablets.
• The recommended single intravenous dosage is 15-60mg for adults.
• You can also use multiple intravenous dosages of 15 or 30mg every 6 hours and not exceed 60 or 120mg each day.
• After this therapy, the recommended dosage is one 10mg or two 20mg tablets at first along with one tablet of 10mg each 4-6 hours. It should not exceed 40mg each day. 

 

If you miss one or two dosages of this drug, it will not show any impact on the body. Skipping dosages will not cause any problems. But sometimes a missed dosage can cause chemical changes suddenly that may affect your body. So your doctor may advise using the prescribed drug as soon as you can if you miss any dosage. Also, avoid overdosing. Overdose may be accidental. But if you use more than the suggested dosage there is a high chance of suffering from a harmful effect..

 

Some useful tips:

 

• If you have any severe allergic reaction to this drug, you must tell your doctor.
• Your doctor must know if you have had asthma or runny or stuffed nose or any nasal polyp.
• If you suffer from hives, swollen face, lips, eyes or tongue then do not use this drug.
• Using this injection will increase the risk of experiencing uncontrolled or severe bleeding. Your doctor must know if you suffered from clotting or bleeding issues. Then you will not prescribe this drug.
• People aged more than 65 years should use the smallest dosage. If you are an aged person, you need to be aware that this injection is not safe compared to other drugs that you can take for treating your condition. Your doctor may prescribe another safer drug.
• It may cause kidney failure. If you suffer from kidney disorder inform your doctor. He must know if you suffered from severe diarrhea, vomiting, or dehydration or if you are using ACE inhibitors such as benazepril or diuretics.
• It is not approved for oral use in people aged below 17 years.
• You must let your doctor know if you are using pentoxifylline or probenecid. Your doctor will ask you not to use Ketorolac if you use either of these drugs.
• He must be aware of all your current drugs including herbal products, vitamins, and nutritional supplements that you are using. Your doctor may change the dosage of the drugs or carefully monitor you for Ketorolac side effects. You must inform your doctor if you are lactating, planning to be pregnant, or already pregnant. This injection may cause harm to the fetus and create delivery problems if you use it around 20 weeks or after that during pregnancy. You should not use it then unless mentioned by your doctor. If you get pregnant while using it, inform your doctor.
• You must be aware that your blood pressure may be increased during this treatment. So your doctor will be regularly monitoring it.
• Ketorolac may cause drowsiness or dizziness in a few people. This effect is very normal. If you face such issues, do not operate a heavy machine, and avoid driving or doing any task that requires alertness during that time.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Is this drug a narcotic?

No, it is not a narcotic. Contrary to narcotic drugs, Ketorolac does not create any mental or physical dependence. In a few rare cases, this drug may be used along with any narcotic drug to relieve intense pain. This combination is considered to be highly effective than using Ketorolac tromethamine.

 

Can I lie down after using it?

You should use Ketorolac along with water and food. You should not lie down for at least 15 minutes after using it. When you lie down, it tends to create a sense of irritation. Also lying down after using it can affect your gastrointestinal lining.

 

Is Ketorolac use limited to 5 days?

Long-term Ketorolac use will worsen side effects like ulcers, coagulation disorders, and gastrointestinal bleeding. This risk is very high among aged people. Prolonged use for treating chronic conditions will cause damage to the kidney and lead to bleeding.

 

Can you use this drug along with Ibuprofen?

Doctors do not suggest using these drugs together. This combination of Ketorolac and Ibuprofen may cause worsening of the side effects like gastrointestinal inflammation, ulceration, perforation, and bleeding. It may cause cardiovascular and kidney issues in a few people. Discuss with your doctor and become aware of ibuprofen alternatives that are completely safe to use with Ketorolac. 

 

Conclusion

Ketorolac is a very potent NSAID. It does not have any habit-forming property. Use it as your doctor suggested and ease moderate to acute pain during short-term treatment.

Ref:-

 

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3919/ketorolac-oral/details

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ketorolac-oral-route-injection-route/side-effects/drg-20066882?p=1#:~:text=Ketorolac%20is%20not%20a%20narcotic,that%20can%20be%20very%20dangerous

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a614011.html

https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/medicine/ketorolac