ketorolac IM

Ketorolac is used for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is usually used before or after medical procedures or after surgery. Reducing pain helps you recover more comfortably so that you can return to your normal daily activities. This medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking your body\'s production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps to decrease swelling, pain, or fever.
Ketorolac should not be used for mild or long-term painful conditions (such as arthritis).

How to use ketorolac IM
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using ketorolac. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is given by injection into a muscle or vein as directed by your doctor. It may be given as a one-time dose or given on a regular schedule. If given on a regular schedule, it is usually injected every 6 hours as needed, or as directed by your doctor. This drug must not be injected into the spine.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, use this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Do not increase your dose, use it more frequently, or use it for longer than 5 days. If you still have pain after 5 days, talk with your doctor about other medications you may use.
If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.
If you have \"breakthrough\" pain while using this medication, ask your doctor about other medications that you can use with this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens or if your pain is not relieved.

See also Warning section.
Pain at the injection site, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, or upset stomach may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fainting, fast/pounding heartbeat, hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears), mental/mood changes (such as confusion, depression), persistent/severe headache, stomach pain, sudden/unexplained weight gain, swelling of the hands or feet, vision changes (such as blurred vision), easy bruising/bleeding, change in amount of urine, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat), symptoms of meningitis (such as unexplained stiff neck, fever), unusual tiredness.
This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including: dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using ketorolac, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), bleeding or clotting problems, blood disorders (such as anemia), heart disease (such as congestive heart failure, previous heart attack), high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), throat/stomach/intestinal problems (such as bleeding, heartburn, ulcers), stroke, swelling of the ankles/feet/hands, a severe loss of body water (dehydration).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
This medicine may cause stomach/intestinal bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medication may infrequently make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially bleeding in the stomach/intestines or effects on the kidneys. Using high doses for a long time may increase this risk.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks (such as miscarriage). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery.
This drug passes into breast milk in very small amounts and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor\'s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: aliskiren, ACE Inhibitors (such as lisinopril), angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as valsartan, losartan), corticosteroids (such as prednisone), methotrexate, probenecid, other medications that may affect the kidneys (including cidofovir, cyclosporine, tenofovir).
This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when used with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, \"blood thinners\" such as dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others.
This medication can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include lithium, pemetrexed, among others.
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen). These drugs are similar to ketorolac and may increase your risk of side effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, extreme drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing.

NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor directs you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

MISSED DOSE:
For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you are using this drug on a regular schedule (not \"as needed\") and you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised July 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.