What is Toradol?

Toradol is an oral tablet consisting of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug called ketorolac. We carry the generic alternative of Toradol in 10mg!

What is Toradol used for?

Toradol is used to treat moderate to severe pain, for no longer than 5 days. Toradol is commonly used before or after a medical procedure or following surgery. Almost all surgeries are followed by a period of pain, without medications, the pain can be excruciating and intolerable. You may still feel pain using medications, but the severity will be massively reduced and the pain should at the very least be tolerable. Additionally, you can use this medication for moderate to severe pain caused by other conditions that are short term, such as kidney stone pain, which is located in the lower back.

How does Toradol work?

Toradol (ketorolac) is effective at treating moderate to severe pain because this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is able to reduce the hormones in the body that cause the inflammation and pain to occur in these conditions.

*** DO NOT USE THIS MEDICATION FOR MORE THAN 5 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. ***

The inital dose of this drug should not be given through an oral tablet but through injection. After the initial injection, adults are allowed to continue doses through oral administration.

Follow only the directions given to you by your doctor. Do not take more or less of a dose than directed. Directions can commonly be found on your prescription label if you forget.

This medication is taken with water by mouth, every 4 – 6 hours, or as directed by your doctor.  Avoid lying down for 10 minutes following the dose.

Do not use this medication if you have recently had or have a scheduled heart bypass surgery, active or recent stomach ulcer, stomach bleeding, or intestinal bleeding, a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, a closed head injury or bleeding in your brain, bleeding from a recent surgery, severe kidney disease or dehydration, a history of asthma or a severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID, or if you are breast feeding or in your third trimester of pregnancy.

Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required

Your treatment plan may need to be changed if you are also using pentoxifylline, probenecid, aspirin, or other NSAIDs - ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

To ensure this medication is safe for you, tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have or have had, especially if you have ever had heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, blood clot, stomach ulcers or bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, fluid retention, or if you smoke.

Risks

Do not use this medication for more than 5 consecutive days. This is recommended because serious, and even fatal, consequences, such as internal stomach bleeding and ulcers, may occur when using this medication long term. Usually, the long-term risks are not worth the benefit of the drug. Usually, other NSAID medications can help with the pain with lower associated risks.

Do not use this medication for the pain relief of childbirth. This medication can harm the unborn baby and can increase the mothers risk of uterine bleeding.

This medication can cause an increased risk of fatal heart attack or stroke; the risk is higher in those who use Toradol long term or take high doses. It may also increase your risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can become fatal.

Do not drink alcohol while using this medication; your risk for stomach bleeding in greatly increased by doing so.

This medication can pass into breast milk and can harm a nursing infant.

Common side effects of Toradol (ketorolac) may include:

nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhea; dizziness, drowsiness; headache; or swelling.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Toradol (ketorolac) may include:

shortness of breath (even with mild exertion); swelling or rapid weight gain; the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild; signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

If you have any of the above side effects or signs of complications, contact your doctor right away.

Please note this is not a complete list of side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects; they are not guaranteed. If you do have side effects and they become unmanageable, consult your doctor about alternate medications.

What is Ketorolac?

Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; it was the active ingredient that made up the brand-name medication Toradol, manufactured by a Swiss multinational healthcare company called Roche. Toradol was first approved December 20th, 1991, but due to low demand, it was discontinued March 23rd, 2013. It is, however, still available as a generic alternative, sold as Ketorolac in the same single strength of 10mg. It comes in the form of a tablet which is administered orally by mouth, metabolized by the liver, and excreted primarily through the kidneys, but also through bile. We carry Ketorolac at My Drug Center, available to patients with a valid prescription.

What is Ketorolac used for?

Ketorolac is used as a short-term treatment for moderate to severe pain. The most common use of this medication is for pain that occurs following a medical procedure or surgery; you may still feel some pain while using Ketorolac however the severity should be significantly reduced and any pain you do feel should be manageable. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe you Ketorolac to help reduce kidney stone pain. This medication is not meant for pain that is long term (such as arthritis) as Ketorolac should only be used for no longer than 5 consecutive days.

How long does Toradol last?

The beneficial effects of Toradol (Ketorolac) may vary between each individual based off personal factors. Generally, the peak concentration is reached only after a couple (2-3) hours and because most patients take a dose every 4-6 hours, a consistent level of the drug should remain in the system for the duration of treatment. Once you notice the effects begin to work, they should continue to last until treatment is discontinued, as long as you are taking it as directed by your doctor. For a more personalized answered, you may want to consider speaking with your doctor.

How long does Toradol take to work?

There are many personal factors that can interfere with the onset of effects when using Toradol, like many other medications. In general, most patients who take Toradol have reported feeling improvement within an hour of administration; for others, it may take a full day for the medication to begin working. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to get the best results and if you have any questions or concerns, consult with your doctor before starting treatment.

How long does Toradol stay in your system?

The length of time Toradol (Ketorolac) remains in the system for will depend on many personal factors, especially age. You can estimate the amount of time it may take to clear the system by multiplying the half-life (a measurement of how long it takes for 50% of the drug to clear the system) by 5. For younger adults, the half-life ranges from 3.5 to 9.2 hours; Toradol will remain in the system of young adults for up to 46 hours (9.2 X 5), a few hours short of 2 days. For the elderly, the half-life ranges from 4.7 to 8.6 hours; Toradol will remain in the system of the elderly for up to 43 hours (8.6 X 5), 5 hours short of 2 days.

What are the side effects of Toradol?

Side effects are a normal response from the body when taking a new medication and commonly go away on their own over time. If side effects become unmanageable or do not go away, you may need to speak with your doctor about alternate treatment options. Toradol may cause side effects such as headache, heart burn, upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting. There may also be additional side effects not listed here.

How does Toradol work?

Toradol is made up of an NSAID, which are able to reduce the amount of inflammation and pain in the body. It does this by blocking certain enzymes (called COX1 and COX2) which are responsible for the production of prostaglandins. Inflammation in the body is caused by the actions of prostaglandins, so by blocking the COX1 and COX2 enzyme, a reduction in prostaglandins production will occur resulting in a reduction of inflammation and pain.

How often can you take Toradol?

Most patients can take a single Toradol tablet every 4-6 hours to equal a total of 4 doses per day; treatment should not last longer than 5 consecutive days due to the risk of adverse reactions. Certain factors may affect how often you can take this medication, which is why it is best to consult your doctor if you have any further questions regarding how often you can take Toradol.

How much does Toradol cost?

Toradol can no longer be purchased as the brand, but it can still be purchased as a generic alternative. The cost of the generic alternative will vary depending on where you buy your supply from. Internationally, Ketorolac can be purchased for $80 when you buy a supply of 100 tablets, which is about $0.80 per tablet. In the United States, this same supply has an average retail cost that is more than double in cost. If you are interested in saving money on your medication, ordering internationally can be done through My Drug Center; all you need is a valid prescription.

What does Toradol look like?

Toradol was commonly a white round tablet imprinted with “T/Toradol”. The generic forms of Toradol may have a different appearance, though it will still be in tablet form, the colors and shape may vary. Packaging for Toradol was a white box with green and purple, labeled as “Toradol; Ketorolac Tromethamine; 10mg”. Generic packaging, similar to the actual tablets, may vary from the brand.

What type of drug is Toradol?

Toradol (Ketorolac) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, also known as NSAIDs. These types of drugs are effective when it comes to reducing pain, but they also do more than just alleviate pain. NSAIDs are also effective at reducing inflammation (swelling and redness) and fevers (increase of body temperature above normal; usually 100.4°F or greater), and can also prevent blood clots, which can be a good or bad thing in some cases. NSAIDs are not addictive, but they can be over used; if you over use them, they may lose their power to reduce pain and inflammation. NSAIDs should be taken with caution in elderly patients and in patients taking antidepressants. You may also want to speak with your doctor before taking an NSAID like Ketorolac if you also take heart, blood pressure, steroid, antipsychotic, or seizure medication, as well as heparin, warfarin, methotrexate, and lithium.

What is the difference between Toradol and Tramadol?

Both of these medications are used for moderate to severe pain – and even the names are very similar – but what exactly makes these two medications different? If you examine both medications carefully, you will notice that they are actually very different from each other and here are just a few examples how:

Drug class: Toradol belongs to the drug class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Tramadol belongs to the drug class of opiate (narcotic) analgesics. This also means they have different mechanisms of action. CSA schedule: Toradol is not subject to the CSA, which means it does not have a potential for abuse or risk of dependence and is not considered a controlled substance. Tramadol is a schedule 4 drug, which means it has a low potential for abuse and risk of dependence, but is still considered a controlled substance. Drug interactions: Toradol has 334 known drug interactions, about 177 less than Tramadol, which has 511 known drug interactions. Common side effects: Toradol has common side effects which include headache, heart burn, upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting. Tramadol has common side effects which include agitation, nervousness, anxiety, seizures, and skin rash. Pediatric use: Toradol can be prescribed to patients as young as 17 years old. Tramadol can be used in children as young as 12 years old.

These are 5 differences between Toradol and Tramadol, though there may be more that haven’t been listed here, such as manufacturers, price, appearance of tablets, and more. Speak with your doctor to learn more about these medications and which one may be right for you.