What it does
Ketoralac is a medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is often used after surgeries or for pain management in various conditions.
Commonly used for: pain relief (analgesia), post-surgery pain, pain from injuries
Read more in plain English ↓Plain-language summary for general understanding - not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist/doctor.
Ask about this medicine
Answers come only from this medicine's registration record, BNF monograph and interaction data - not medical advice.
Medicine sourcing is available in Kenya only. We don't sell or dispense medicines - licensed pharmacies do.
Sourcing - Kenya onlyRegistration & product details
Source: Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority · fetched 2026-03-11 23:59:31 · updated 2026-05-22 02:38:52
About ketoralac
Ketoralac is a medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is often used after surgeries or for pain management in various conditions.
What it treats
- pain relief (analgesia)
- post-surgery pain
- pain from injuries
How it works
Ketoralac works by blocking certain chemicals in the body that cause pain and inflammation.
Who it's for
Ketoralac is suitable for adults who need short-term pain relief.
Cautions
- • Not recommended for longer than a few days.
- • Can cause stomach problems if used for too long.
- • Should be used with caution in people with kidney issues.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
About tromethamol
Tromethamol is a substance used in various medical treatments, particularly for its role in formulations.
What it treats
- used in eye drops for dry eyes
- used in other medicinal formulations
How it works
Tromethamol helps to stabilize and improve the effectiveness of other ingredients in the medicine.
Who it's for
It is suitable for people needing relief from dry eyes or those using specific medical formulations.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Clinical monograph: ketoralac
BNF-referencedKetorolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) primarily used for its analgesic properties. It is commonly employed in the short-term management of moderate to severe pain, particularly post-operative or acute pain. Ketorolac is known for its rapid onset of action and is often used in settings where quick pain relief is necessary. It should be noted that due to its associated risks, it is typically recommended for short-term use only.
Mechanism of action
Ketorolac inhibits key pathways in prostaglandin synthesis, which is crucial to its mechanism of action. It is a non-selective inhibitor of both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, though its clinical efficacy is primarily derived from COX-2 inhibition. The COX-2 enzyme is responsible for converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandins that mediate inflammation and pain. By blocking this pathway, ketorolac provides analgesia and reduces inflammation. The drug is administered as a racemic mixture, with the 'S' enantiomer being largely responsible for its pharmacological activity.
Pharmacodynamics
As a non-selective NSAID, ketorolac acts by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which convert arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. The COX-1 enzyme is constitutively active in various tissues such as platelets and gastric mucosa, while COX-2 is inducible and mediates inflammation, pain, and fever. Inhibition of COX-1 can result in adverse effects including increased bleeding risk and gastric ulceration, whereas the desired anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are linked to the inhibition of COX-2. Therefore, while effective for pain management, ketorolac should not be used long-term due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcers, and perforations.
Pharmacokinetics
Ketorolac is rapidly absorbed following administration and reaches peak plasma concentrations within 1 to 2 hours. It is extensively protein-bound in plasma, primarily to albumin. The drug is metabolized in the liver through conjugation to glucuronic acid and is primarily excreted via the kidneys. The elimination half-life of ketorolac ranges from 5 to 6 hours in healthy individuals, and the pharmacokinetics may be altered in patients with renal impairment, necess
Contra-indications
- Active or history of peptic ulcer disease
- Severe renal impairment
- Hypersensitivity to ketorolac or other NSAIDs
- Concurrent use of other NSAIDs
- Pregnancy (third trimester)
Adverse effects
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Peptic ulcers
- Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract
- Renal toxicity
- Hepatic dysfunction
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Increased blood pressure
Interactions
- Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with other NSAIDs or anticoagulants
- Potentially increased effects of methotrexate
- Increased serum levels of lithium
- May reduce the effectiveness of antihypertensive medications
Precautions
- Use with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease
- Monitor renal function, especially in elderly patients
- Caution in patients with asthma, as bronchospasm may occur
- Avoid use in patients with dehydration or hypovolemia
Pregnancy
Ketorolac should be avoided during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, due to the risk of fetal harm.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether ketorolac is excreted in human milk. Caution is advised when administered to nursing women.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Protect from light.
Formulations
- Oral tablet
- Injection solution
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
Clinical monograph: tromethamol
Tromethamol is a buffering agent primarily used in the formulation of various medications, particularly in ophthalmic solutions and some injectable preparations. It is known for its ability to maintain pH levels, ensuring stability and efficacy of the active ingredients in pharmaceutical preparations. Tromethamol acts as a stabilizer for certain drugs, enhancing their solubility and bioavailability.
Indications
- Used in ophthalmic solutions to maintain pH levels
- Formulated in injectable preparations to enhance stability
- Buffering agent in various pharmaceutical formulations
Dosage
Children: Refer to specific product information for dosing instructions, as tromethamol is generally used as a component in formulations rather than as a standalone medication.
Adults: Refer to specific product information for dosing instructions, as tromethamol is generally used as a component in formulations rather than as a standalone medication.
Mechanism of action
Tromethamol functions as a proton acceptor, neutralizing acidic environments by raising the pH. This buffering action helps to stabilize the pH of solutions, making it suitable for use in formulations that require a specific pH range to maintain drug stability and effectiveness. It interacts with hydrogen ions in solution, thereby altering the ionic state of other active ingredients.
Pharmacodynamics
Tromethamol does not have direct pharmacological effects in the body as it is primarily used as a stabilizing agent. Its role in maintaining pH levels ensures that other active compounds remain effective. The pharmacodynamics are largely dependent on the active ingredients it is combined with, as it does not exert therapeutic effects on its own.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of tromethamol are not well-studied as it is used mainly for its buffering properties rather than as an active therapeutic agent. It is generally considered to be well-tolerated and does not accumulate in the body. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of tromethamol would be influenced by the formulation in which it is included, and specific pharmacokinetic parameters have not been defined in the literature.
Pregnancy
Tromethamol should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Consult healthcare professionals for advice.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown whether tromethamol is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when administering to nursing mothers.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from light. Keep out of reach of children.
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
Molecular reference: ketoralac
PubChem CID 3826Molecular formula: C15H13NO3
Mechanism of action
Ketorolac inhibits key pathways in prostaglandin synthesis which is crucial to it's mechanism of action. Although ketorolac is non-selective and inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, it's clinical efficacy is derived from it's COX-2 inhibition. The COX-2 enzyme is inducible and is responsible for converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandins that mediate inflammation and pain. By blocking this pathway, ketorolac achieves analgesia and reduces inflammation. Ketorolac is administered as a racemic mixture; however, the "S" enantiomer is largely responsible for it's pharmacological activity.
Pharmacodynamics
Ketorolac is a non-selective NSAID and acts by inhibiting both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes which are normally responsible for converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. The COX-1 enzyme is constitutively active and can be found in platelets, gastric mucosa, and vascular endothelium. On the other hand, the COX-2 enzyme is inducible and mediates inflammation, pain and fever. As a result, inhibition of the COX-1 enzyme is linked to an increased risk of bleeding and risk of gastric ulceration, while the desired anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are linked to inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme. Therefore, despite it's effectiveness in pain management, ketorolac should not be used long-term since this increases the risk of serious adverse effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcers, and perforations.
Biological pathways
Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.