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Drug Info

What is Toradol and what is it used for?

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By | Feb. 7, 2020 Medically reviewed by Anis Rehman, MD
An IV pole illustration of Toradol

Key takeaways

  • Toradol (ketorolac) is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for short-term management of moderate to severe pain, such as post-surgery pain, and is not recommended for use beyond five days due to serious side effects.

  • It is administered initially via injection or IV and may be followed by oral tablets or a nasal spray, with dosages adjusted based on weight and specific patient needs, emphasizing short-term use only.

  • Potential warnings include an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure, with specific warnings against use in certain populations such as children under 17, older adults, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

  • Toradol should not be combined with alcohol, certain other medications, or other NSAIDs due to the risk of adverse interactions and side effects, including ulcers, stomach bleeding, and impairment of driving or operating machinery.

A physician might give you Toradol (ketorolac) in the emergency room for severe pain, like a serious migraine. Or, a doctor might prescribe the analgesic after surgery. If you haven’t taken it in a hospital setting, you might remember Toradol from the 2011 lawsuit alleging that the NFL administered the painkiller to players before and during football games. It’s a powerful drug for pain relief, but due to its side effects, Toradol is only safe for short-term use.

What is Toradol?

Toradol is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) manufactured by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. This brand-name drug contains ketorolac tromethamine. It treats moderate to severe pain by reducing prostaglandins, the hormones that cause inflammation, fever, and pain. It is not a narcotic and is not addictive; however, it is only approved for use for five days or less.

What is Toradol used for?

Toradol is a non-opioid pain reliever for moderate to severe pain. It’s used for pain management before or after medical procedures like surgery, allowing you to get back to your daily activities quickly.

The most common use of Toradol is to relieve pain after surgery. Your first dose is injected or administered through an IV. Toradol tablets may be prescribed for you to take orally at home.

Toradol is also used for:

  • Sickle cell crises
  • Kidney stones
  • Low back pain
  • Acute migraine or tension headache

Toradol is a powerful drug that can relieve moderate and severe pain in the short-term. You can feel the effects as quickly as 15 minutes after receiving an injection. It cannot treat chronic pain, such as arthritis, because there are serious side effects. It increases your risk of heart attack and stroke and can cause kidney failure when taken longer than five days.

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Toradol dosages

Toradol is available as an injection, via an IV, as a nasal spray, and as tablets. The typical initial dosage for an adult (more than 110 pounds) is 60 mg as an injection or 30 mg intravenously according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additional doses can be given every six hours, as needed, to a maximum of 120 mg/day. For those under 100 pounds, the dosage is cut in half. The nasal spray dosage is one spray in each nostril every six to eight hours, as needed.

Tablets are for follow-up treatment only. For an adult, the typical dose is 20 mg to start and then 10 mg every four to six hours. For those under 110 pounds, the dose adjusts to 10 mg followed by 10 mg every four to six hours as needed. For older adults, use dosing for adults under 110 pounds. You should discontinue the medication five days after the initial dose.

If you miss a dose, you can take the missed dose when you realize it, as long as it has been longer than your prescribed dose. For example, if your prescription indicates every four to six hours, you can take a missed dose as long as it is more than four hours since your last dose. You should determine when to take the next dose based on when you last took the medication, not your original schedule.

Use this drug as prescribed for short periods only. Because it is an NSAID, GI bleeding is a possible side effect of Toradol. Most healthcare providers will limit the use of Toradol to only five days for acute pain. After five days, a doctor will likely recommend switching to a different medication for pain relief.

Warnings and precautions

Age restrictions

Toradol is not approved for children under two years old and its safety is unknown in patients under 17 years old. Patients over 65 years of age are advised against using Toradol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant before taking Toradol. Taking it during the last trimester of pregnancy might harm your unborn baby, according to the FDA.

Toradol is an FDA pregnancy category C, meaning studies in animals have shown adverse effects and there are no controlled studies in pregnant women available. “Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus,” explains Feng Chang, Pharm.D., and associate professor at the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy. “Potential risks include increased risk of miscarriage, increased risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Animal data showed delayed parturition and increased risk of stillbirth.”

Patients taking injectable or oral Toradol should discontinue breastfeeding or seek alternative medication. However, ketorolac nasal spray may be considered compatible with breastfeeding according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Ketorolac is excreted in human milk but [there is] no clear demonstration of adverse effects in nursing infants,” says Dr. Chang.

Toradol interactions

You should make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking to avoid negative drug-drug interactions. Don’t take Toradol if you are taking:

  • Pentoxifylline
  • Probenecid
  • Lithium
  • Methotrexate
  • Blood thinners
  • Antipsychotic medications
  • Heart or blood pressure medications
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Seizure medications
  • Steroids, such as prednisone

You should also avoid drinking alcohol and taking any other NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, and meloxicam. Taking too much of any NSAID can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding, according to Poison Control. A large dose can injure the kidneys and might cause seizures and coma. Seek medical advice or contact Poison Control if you accidentally take an over-the-counter NSAID while you are taking Toradol.

You should avoid alcohol consumption while taking ketorolac as it can increase the chances of stomach bleeding.

Lifestyle or work restrictions

This drug can cause dizziness or drowsiness and might impair your ability to drive or operate machinery according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. You should refrain from these activities until you know how the medicine affects you.

What are the side effects of Toradol?

Toradol has been approved by the FDA for moderate to severe pain and is safe when taken as directed. Taking it can increase your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, you should tell your doctor before taking this medication. The most common side effects of Toradol include:

  • Nausea, upset stomach, indigestion, or heartburn
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Swelling
  • Weight gain

Some people experience an extreme feeling of wellbeing or euphoria from this medicine.

There are some more serious adverse effects. If you experience signs of any of the following, you should seek medical attention immediately.

  • Stomach bleeding: Bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, vomit that resembles coffee grounds
  • Kidney problems and increased risk of developing kidney disease: Reduced urination, difficult or painful urination, swelling in your feet and ankles, feeling tired and shortness of breath
  • Anemia: Pale skin, feeling lightheaded or short of breath, rapid heartbeat, trouble concentrating
  • Liver problems and increased risk of developing liver disease: Nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, drowsiness, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, flu-like symptoms, yellowing of skin and eyes
  • Stroke: Numbness on one side of the body, weakness, shortness of breath

Are there alternatives to Toradol?

Some NSAIDs are available over-the-counter, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin. Besides Toradol, there are other prescription drugs that relieve moderate to severe pain from arthritis, tendinitis, pain after childbirth, and other causes. These treatments include:

Prescription NSAIDs are potent pain relievers. They sometimes are confused with narcotics, such as tramadol. Narcotic pain relievers, also called opioid pain relievers, should only be used to treat severe pain that is not helped by other painkillers. You can use narcotic pain relievers for several months. However, they can be habit-forming if not taken as directed and under the care of a healthcare provider.

What is the retail price of Toradol?

Retail prices for Toradol vary based on the pharmacy you use. However, it is possible to lower your cost by taking advantage of a SingleCare savings card.

SingleCare partners with 35,000 pharmacies across the country to save you up to 80% on tens of thousands of medications. Compare the costs of medicines on our website or app before filling your prescription.