Pain 101 - An Education in Pain Management

 

Home Pain Overview Types of Pain Treatment Methods Chiropractors Anesthesiologists Biofeedback Videos Get Answers To All Of Your Pain Questions

Massage Pain Management Drugs Glossary of Pain Drugs Top Pain Programs Pain Associations Pain Doctors Pain Terminology Insurance Site Map

Ketorolac (Toradol, Acular)

  (prescription NSAIDS)

Summary

NSAIDs are most effective for mild to moderate pain accompanied by swelling and inflammation. These drugs relieve pain by inhibiting an enzyme in your body called cyclooxygenase. This enzyme makes hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which are involved in the development of pain and inflammation. NSAIDs are especially helpful for arthritis and pain resulting from muscle sprains, strains, back and neck injuries or cramps.

When taken as directed, NSAIDs are generally safe. But if more than the recommended dosage is taken — and sometimes even the recommended dosage — NSAIDs may cause nausea, stomach pain, stomach bleeding or ulcers. Large doses of NSAIDs can lead to kidney problems and fluid retention. Risk increases with age. If you regularly take NSAIDs, talk to your doctor so that he or she can monitor you for side effects.

NSAIDs have a so-called ceiling effect, or limit to how much pain they can control. This means that beyond a certain dosage, they don't provide additional benefit. If someone has moderate to severe pain, exceeding the dosage limit may not help relieve the pain.

Many NSAIDs require a prescription, but some lower-dose NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are available over-the-counter.

Ketorolac (Toradol, Acular)

Ketorolac or ketorolac tromethamine (marketed as Toradol - generics have been approved) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in the family of propionic acids, often used as an analgesic, antipyretic (fever reducer), and anti-inflammatory. Ketorolac acts by inhibiting bodily synthesis of prostaglandins.  An ophthalmic solution of ketorolac is available under the name Acular, and is used to treat eye pain and to relieve the itchiness and burning of seasonal allergies.

Ketorolac is indicated for short-term management of pain (up to five days maximum).

Cautions

The most serious risks associated with ketorolac are, as with other NSAIDs, gastrointestinal ulcerations, bleeding and perforation; renal events ranging from interstitial nephritis to complete renal failure; hemorrhage, and hypersensitivity reactions.

As with other NSAIDs, fluid and solute retention and edema have been reported with ketorolac; ketorolac elevated liver protein levels; it also inhibits platelet aggregation and may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding.

* page last updated 5/19/2008

 

Source: Marketdata Enterprises, Inc., Chronic Pain Management Programs: A Market Analysis, Wikipedia, various other sources

 

HomeSitemapPrivacy StatementAbout UsAdvertising & Links Policy Contact Us Email this page

 

 

Note: Pain101.com does NOT provide medical advice or diagnoses.  You should always consult your

physician first, before beginning any pain management regimen or if you are suffering from a medical condition.

Copyright © 2009 Marketdata Enterprises, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

BestDietForMe.com |  Sleepweb.com  |  MyPersonalGrowth.com  |  DepressionPros.com