Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine) is a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain that would otherwise require opioid-level analgesia. It is frequently used after surgery, following injuries, and after certain dental procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction. Unlike opioids, Toradol is not habit-forming, yet it can deliver comparable pain relief for specific acute pain scenarios when used appropriately and for a brief duration.
How it works: Toradol inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins—chemical mediators that drive inflammation, pain signaling, and fever. By lowering prostaglandin levels, Toradol decreases tissue inflammation and sensitization of pain receptors, which results in notable relief from pain and swelling.
Onset and duration: Injectable Toradol typically begins working within 30 to 60 minutes, with peak effects around 1 to 2 hours. Oral Toradol tablets generally start relieving pain within an hour. The analgesic effect commonly lasts 4 to 6 hours. Because risk increases with cumulative dose and time on therapy, treatment is strictly limited to short-term use.
Scope of use: Toradol is designed for acute, short-lived pain. It is not intended for chronic conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, chronic back pain), mild pain that can be managed with nonprescription options, or long-term therapy. In fact, Toradol carries boxed warnings regarding gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks that increase with dose, duration, and in certain patient populations, necessitating careful selection and tight time limits.
Use Toradol exactly as directed by a healthcare professional. The total duration of therapy—combining injectable and oral forms—must not exceed 5 days in adults. Exceeding recommended doses or duration sharply increases the risk of serious adverse events, including bleeding and kidney injury.
Formulations: Toradol is available as an injectable solution (IV/IM) for use in clinical settings and as oral tablets for short-term continuation after initial parenteral dosing. A nasal spray formulation of ketorolac also exists under a separate brand; dosing and indications differ.
Special notes:
Pediatric use: In the United States, ketorolac is not approved for pediatric patients for routine use; dosing in children is not established in the approved labeling and would be off-label. Pediatric analgesia plans should be directed by clinicians experienced in pediatric pain management.
Toradol can cause serious adverse events, particularly with higher doses, longer duration, or in patients with specific risk factors. Before using Toradol, inform your clinician about all medical conditions, medications, and allergies.
Do not use Toradol if any of the following apply:
Like all medications, Toradol can cause side effects. Many are mild and transient, but serious adverse reactions can occur, particularly at higher doses or with prolonged use.
Common side effects:
Less common but potentially serious side effects—seek medical help immediately if you notice any of the following:
If you experience side effects that are severe, persistent, or concerning, contact a healthcare professional promptly. Stop Toradol and seek urgent care for signs of severe allergic reactions, GI bleeding, or cardiovascular events.
Toradol has important interactions that can increase the risk of bleeding, kidney injury, or other complications. Always share a complete medication and supplement list with your clinician.
This list is not exhaustive. Check with a pharmacist or clinician before starting or stopping any medication while using Toradol.
Toradol is often prescribed on an as-needed schedule for pain. If you are on scheduled dosing and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if you still need pain relief. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take extra doses to make up for a missed dose. Never exceed the maximum daily limit or the 5-day total treatment duration.
Overdose with Toradol can be dangerous. Symptoms may include severe stomach pain, black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, profound drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath, or significantly reduced urine output. Severe toxicity can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure, low blood pressure, and coma.
Store Toradol tablets at controlled room temperature, ideally 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Keep the container tightly closed, away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Do not freeze the injectable solution; follow the storage instructions provided by your healthcare facility or pharmacist. Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets. Do not use Toradol past its expiration date, and dispose of unused medication according to pharmacist or local take-back program guidance—do not flush unless specifically instructed.
Toradol (ketorolac) is a prescription-only medication in the United States, approved by the FDA for the short-term treatment of moderately severe acute pain. Because of the risk of serious adverse effects—including gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular events, and kidney injury—use is restricted to the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time, not to exceed 5 days in adults.
Note on access through HealthSouth Walton Rehabilitation Hospital: HealthSouth Walton Rehabilitation Hospital offers a legal and structured pathway for patients to be evaluated by licensed clinicians and, when clinically appropriate, to receive Toradol through compliant channels such as in-facility administration or e-prescribing to a licensed pharmacy. This process does not bypass prescription requirements; rather, it streamlines care within regulatory frameworks so patients can receive appropriate treatment without managing a paper prescription themselves.
Do not use Toradol for chronic or mild pain conditions. It is intended for acute pain scenarios and should be reserved for cases in which nonprescription analgesics are inadequate and opioid-level relief is being considered.
This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician, pharmacist, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, medication, or treatment plan. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. Medication approvals, indications, dosing, and safety information may change; consult current prescribing information and your clinician for guidance tailored to you.
Toradol is the brand name for ketorolac, a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that blocks COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to reduce prostaglandin production, lowering inflammation and pain without using opioids.
It’s used for short-term treatment of moderate to severe acute pain, often after surgery, dental procedures, kidney stones, and certain migraines; it is not for mild pain or chronic, long-term use.
It can be given by IV or IM injection, as oral tablets, or as a nasal spray; treatment often starts with injection and may switch to oral, but total systemic use must not exceed 5 days.
Typical adult oral dosing is 10 mg once, then 10 mg every 4–6 hours as needed (max 40 mg/day); IV/IM is commonly 15–30 mg every 6 hours (lower doses in older adults, low body weight, or renal impairment), and total combined duration must be 5 days or less.
Avoid if you have active or recent stomach/intestinal bleeding or ulcers, severe kidney disease, bleeding disorders, aspirin/NSAID allergy or aspirin-sensitive asthma, in the setting of coronary bypass surgery, or in late pregnancy and during labor.
Nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, dizziness, drowsiness, fluid retention, headache, and injection-site soreness are most common and usually temporary.
It can cause stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcers, kidney injury, increased bleeding, and cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke; these risks rise with age, higher doses, and concurrent alcohol, steroids, anticoagulants, or other NSAIDs.
Do not combine with other NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, aspirin doses for pain); acetaminophen can be used with Toradol, and opioids may be co-prescribed when needed under medical supervision.
IV typically begins working within 10–30 minutes, IM and oral within 30–60 minutes, with pain relief usually lasting 4–6 hours.
It may cause dizziness or drowsiness; avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
Share any history of ulcers or GI bleeding, kidney or liver problems, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, asthma, bleeding disorders, pregnancy or plans to conceive, and a full list of medications and supplements.
No, ketorolac is a non-opioid NSAID and is not addictive, but misuse or exceeding 5 days of therapy increases the risk of serious side effects.
It is more potent, often given by injection, and restricted to short-term use due to higher risks of GI and renal complications compared with OTC NSAIDs.
Short courses often do not, but high-risk patients may need kidney function checks, blood pressure monitoring, and assessment for signs of bleeding.
Pediatric use is limited to select settings and specialist guidance; dosing is weight-based, and safety concerns restrict routine use in children.
No, alcohol and ketorolac both increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers; avoid alcohol while taking Toradol.
A conservative approach is to wait at least 24 hours after the final dose (longer if you have any GI symptoms or are at higher bleeding risk).
Avoid it, especially at or beyond 20 weeks’ gestation; it can harm the fetus (e.g., kidney problems, low amniotic fluid, and ductus arteriosus closure) and is contraindicated during labor and delivery.
It passes into breast milk in small amounts; single supervised doses may be acceptable in some cases, but repeated dosing is generally not preferred—discuss timing and alternatives with your clinician, especially with newborn or preterm infants.
It should not be used before surgery for analgesic premedication; it may be used after some surgeries for short-term pain control, but it increases bleeding risk and is avoided when bleeding could be catastrophic.
It is not recommended in advanced renal impairment and must be used very cautiously, if at all, in milder kidney problems due to the risk of worsening function.
Use with caution; NSAIDs can raise blood pressure, worsen fluid retention, and increase cardiovascular risk—discuss safer options with your clinician.
These combinations raise bleeding risk; your prescriber may avoid Toradol or use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time with close monitoring.
Toradol is generally more potent and available by injection for rapid, short-term relief; ibuprofen is milder, over-the-counter, and safer for repeated use, making it better for ongoing mild to moderate pain.
Naproxen has a longer half-life and may have a more favorable cardiovascular profile; Toradol is limited to 5 days due to higher GI/renal risk and is primarily for acute, short-term pain.
Diclofenac is widely used orally and topically for musculoskeletal pain; Toradol offers stronger, rapid parenteral relief but carries higher GI bleeding risk, so it’s reserved for short courses.
Meloxicam is once-daily and relatively COX-2 preferential, often chosen for chronic arthritis; Toradol is for brief acute episodes and unsuitable for chronic therapy.
Both are potent; indomethacin can cause more CNS side effects and is often used for gout flares, while Toradol is favored for short-term parenteral pain control but with notable GI/renal risks.
Celecoxib is COX-2 selective with lower GI ulcer risk but potential cardiovascular risk; Toradol is nonselective with higher GI bleed risk and is restricted to brief use.
Etodolac is an oral NSAID for ongoing musculoskeletal pain with some COX-2 preference; Toradol is selected for short, potent relief after acute injuries or surgery.
Nabumetone is a prodrug NSAID often better tolerated in the GI tract for chronic pain; Toradol delivers strong short-term analgesia but is not suitable beyond 5 days.
Ketoprofen is used orally or topically for mild to moderate pain and inflammation; Toradol is typically parenteral and reserved for acute, moderate to severe pain requiring a short, potent course.
Toradol injection offers faster onset and stronger effect for acute moderate to severe pain in the ER, while oral NSAIDs are slower and better suited to milder pain or step-down therapy at discharge.
Both are injectable NSAIDs; ketorolac usually provides stronger analgesia but carries higher GI/renal and bleeding risk limits, while IV ibuprofen may be gentler and allows longer courses when appropriate.
Topical diclofenac targets local pain with lower systemic exposure and fewer GI/renal risks; Toradol acts systemically and is reserved for short-term, more intense pain when topical options are insufficient.
No; aspirin’s irreversible antiplatelet effect protects the heart, while ketorolac increases bleeding risk without cardiovascular protection and may interfere with aspirin’s antiplatelet action if taken together.
Toradol often provides faster, stronger relief in acute renal colic, especially when injected; naproxen is useful for continued pain control afterward but has a slower onset.
