Ketorolac
Anestelac, Dolomet, Medrolgin, Rolgicin · ATC code M01AB15
Also known as: Ketorolak, ketorolac tromethamine · Brand names: Anestelac, Dolomet, Medrolgin, Rolgicin, Santor, Torol, Acular LS, Acuvail, Sprix
- Key facts
- Active substance
- Ketorolac
- ATC code
- M01AB15
- Authorisation
- authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
- Information as of
- 2026-10-27
Boxed warning
Ketorolac tromethamine tablets, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), are indicated for the short-term (up to 5 days in adults), management of moderately severe acute pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level and only as continuation treatment following IV or IM dosing of ketorolac tromethamine, if necessary. The total combined duration of use of ketorolac tromethamine tablets and ketorolac tromethamine should not exceed 5 days. Ketorolac tromethamine tablets are not indicated for use in pediatric patients and they are NOT indicated for minor or chronic painful conditions. Increasing the dose of ketorolac tromethamine tablets beyond a daily maximum of 40 mg in adults will not provide better efficacy but will increase the risk of developing serious adverse events. GASTROINTESTINAL RISK Ketorolac tromethamine, including ketorolac tromethamine tablets can cause peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and/or perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Therefore, ketorolac tromethamine is CONTRAINDICATED in patients with active peptic ulcer disease, in patients with recent gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, and in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events (see WARNINGS ). CARDIOVASCULAR THROMBOTIC EVENTS Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). Ketorolac tromethamine tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS ). RENAL RISK Ketorolac tromethamine is CONTRAINDICATED in patients with advanced renal impairment and in patients at risk for renal failure due to volume depletion (see WARNINGS ). RISK OF BLEEDING Ketorolac tromethamine inhibits platelet function and is, therefore, CONTRAINDICATED in patients with suspected or confirmed cerebrovascular bleeding, patients with hemorrhagic diathesis, incomplete hemostasis and those at high risk of bleeding (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). Ketorolac tromethamine is CONTRAINDICATED as prophylactic analgesic before any major surgery. RISK DURING LABOR AND DELIVERY The use of ketorolac tromethamine in labor and delivery is contraindicated because it may adversely affect fetal circulation and inhibit uterine contractions. CONCOMITANT USE WITH NSAIDs Ketorolac tromethamine is CONTRAINDICATED in patients currently receiving aspirin or NSAIDs because of the cumulative risk of inducing serious NSAID-related side effects. SPECIAL POPULATIONS Dosage should be adjusted for patients 65 years or older, for patients under 50 kg (110 lbs) of body weight (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) and for patients with moderately elevated serum creatinine (see WARNINGS ).
Key facts
Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Per the US prescribing information, the tablets are for short-term moderately severe acute pain, only as continuation after IV or IM dosing.
What it is used for
- Short-term (≤5 days) management of moderately severe acute pain requiring opioid-level analgesia, usually postoperative
- Tablets only as continuation treatment after IV or IM dosing
- Not for pediatric patients and not for minor or chronic painful conditions
Dosing
- Age 17 to 64: 20 mg PO once, then 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not more than 40 mg/day.
- Age ≥65, renally impaired and/or weight <50 kg: 10 mg once, then 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not more than 40 mg/day.
- Combined duration of IV/IM and oral use not to exceed 5 days.
- Do not give the oral form as an initial dose; do not shorten the dosing interval.
Contraindications
- Active peptic ulcer, recent GI bleeding or perforation, history of peptic ulcer or GI bleeding
- Advanced renal impairment or risk of renal failure due to volume depletion
- Cerebrovascular bleeding, hemorrhagic diathesis, high bleeding risk; prophylactic use before major surgery
- Labor and delivery; CABG surgery
- Current aspirin or NSAID use; asthma or allergic-type reactions after NSAIDs
Important warnings
- Boxed warning: serious GI ulceration, bleeding and perforation, which can be fatal
- Boxed warning: increased risk of cardiovascular thrombotic events
- Boxed warning: renal and bleeding risk; do not exceed 40 mg/day
- Anaphylactic reactions, liver failure, acute renal failure, postoperative bleeding
Side effects
- Abdominal pain (incidence greater than 10%)
- Common: constipation/diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, heartburn, vomiting, GI ulcers
- Headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, edema, hypertension, abnormal renal function, anemia
Interactions
- Aspirin and other NSAIDs: contraindicated because of cumulative side effects
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Contraindicated in labor and delivery (may affect fetal circulation and inhibit uterine contractions).
Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.
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Patient information (US)
Authorisation and brand names by country
Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.
Turkey
- AnestelacROMPHARM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC.A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- DolometBİOFARMA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- MedrolginWORLD MEDICINE İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- RolgicinWORLD MEDICINE İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- SantorSANOVEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- TorolNOBEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 6 register entries
Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16
USA
- Acular LSAllergan, Inc. · 1 register entry
- AcuvailAllergan, Inc. · 1 register entry
- SprixZyla Life Sciences US LLC · 1 register entry
Source: U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), as of 2026-10-28
Brand names in 1 more European countries
- Bulgaria
- Кеторолак Вижън
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28
Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.
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Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ketorolac tromethamine (Amici Pharma Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2025-12-10. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=8b26240c-b72b-42a6-ab33-a1e38224fbe0
- TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
- U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), 2026-10-28. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/
Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.