Pharmacologic properties of ketorolac tromethamine: A potent analgesic drug

Ketorolac tromethamine is a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that seems to produce its analgesic effect by several mechanisms of action, including inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and nitric oxide release. Ketorolac compares favorably with opioid-related drugs and NSAIDs in both single- and multiple-dose studies. Clinical studies have shown that ketorolac has an efficacy similar to that of morphine and other opioid drugs in the treatment of moderate to severe postoperative pain, without producing opioid-related side effects. Ketorolac is effective in relieving moderate to severe pain, when other aspirin-like drugs show little efficacy. Although the usefulness of ketorolac to relieve pain in cancer, renal colic, and in the postoperative period has been documented in several studies, the indiscriminate use of ketorolac at high doses without any restriction should be avoided. Ketorolac has the potential to produce significant gastrointestinal side effects as well as catastrophic renal effects in high risk patients. It is strongly suggested that ketorolac be used as recommended by the manufacturer. This drug should be used with great care in patients with gastrointestinal susceptibilities and must be absolutely avoided in patients with compromised renal function.