Toradol

Overall Description

The generic name for Toradol is Ketorolac tromethamine. It’s one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly abbreviated as NSAID. Toradol is used in the treatment of inflammation and  moderately severe pain, usually after surgery. Furthermore, Toradol helps in blocking or inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, inflammation, fever, and compounds that cause pain.

Toradol is not a narcotic drug because it does not contain opium or a synthetic version of opium. This means that Toradol is not addictive, and that’s why it remains largely unregulated or a controlled substance. 

As a Ketorolac drug, Toradol is only available with your health professional’s prescription. You can find it in a solution dosage or a tablet dosage. The drug also comes in injections and can be administered intravenously. You can use Toradol before or after surgery or after a medical procedure because it helps you recover quickly and comfortably. 

However, you should not use Toradol for mild or prolonged painful conditions like arthritis. The same warning applies to those with active or recent cases of bleeding, stomach ulcers, head injuries, a blood-clotting disorder, severe kidney disease, severe allergic reactions to NSAID drugs like aspirin, naproxen, celecoxib, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, meloxicam, indomethacin, and many others. 

Toradol is not recommended if you are about to undergo a surgical operation. Expectant mothers are prohibited from using Toradol, especially when they are in their third trimester. Breast-feeding mothers are also discouraged from taking Toradol. Most significantly, don’t drink alcohol while you are taking Toradol because it can cause stomach bleeding. Long-term usage of Toradol or high doses can increase the risk of fatal stroke or heart attack.

Benefits of Toradol

Here are the benefits of using Toradol:

• Rapid pain relief  

• Short term treatment of excessive pain

• Relieves acute pain after an operation

• Reduces excruciating lower back pain due to kidney stones

Side Effects of Toradol

The most common side effects associated with Toradol include:

• Drowsiness

• Ingestion

• Headache

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Itching Dizziness

• Swelling or edema

• Constipation

• Increased serum creatinine

• Hypertension

Less common side effects of Toradol include:

• Abnormal thinking

• Blurred vision

• Black “tarry” stool

• Changes in taste

• Bronchospasm

• Cholestatic jaundice

• Difficult in concentration

• Depression

• Euphoria

• Hymolytic-ueremic syndrome

• Hepatitis

• Insomnia

• High blood potassium

• Liver failure

• Peptic ulcer

• Rectal bleeding

• Rash

• Pale skin

• Nervousness

• Severe allergic reactions

• Sores in the mouth

• Urinary frequency

• Urinary retention

• Vasodilation

Interaction of Toradol with Other Drugs or Conditions

The good news is that there’s no severe interaction between Toradol and other drugs. However, there are more than 47 different drugs that Toradol has serious interactions with. A good example is Aceclofenac, Bromfenac, and Dexibuprofen among others. 

There are also more than 228 different drugs that Toradol interacts with moderately. Examples include Clopamide, Ardeparin, and Furosemide among others. Not to mention at least 77 different drugs that this Ketorolac drug interacts with mildly, which may include Acebutolol, Metoprolol, and Practolol, and many more.

Toradol Storage

Store Toradol medicine in a tightly closed container away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Do not allow it to freeze. Most importantly, store it at a temperature range of 15C to 30C or 59F to 86F, especially when they’re in the bottles.

Toradol Dosage and Administration

When taking Toradol, you should carefully consider its potential benefits as well as risks. You should also take into account other treatment options just before you take Toradol. Take the lowest but effective dose of Toradol for a short duration that consistently follows your treatment goals. 

In adults, Toradol can be administered through intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) dosing which should not go beyond five days. The transition from IV or IM dosing of Toradol to multiple-dose should be carried out in the following ways:

Pediatric and adult dosage forms and strength can be administered in the form of tablets (10mg tablet), injectable solution of 15 mg/ml and 30mg/ml, or prefilled syringe of 15mg/ml, 30mg/ml, and 60mg/ml.

Dosage consideration should be as follows:

Moderately severe acute pain-short term management  to cover up to five days. This type of dosage requires analgesia, particularly at the opioid level. This dosage consideration is not suitable for minors or individuals with chronic painful conditions. 

That said, the adult dosage should be:

Intravenous (IV): 30mg for a single dose or 30 mg after every six hours. The total dose should not exceed 120 mg per day.

Intramuscular (IM): 60mg to be given as a single dose or rather 30mg after every six hours. The whole dose should not exceed 120 mg per day.

Oral: 20mg once after IM or IV therapy. This should be followed by 10mg after every four to six hours. The total dose should not be more than 40mg per day.

Geriatric:

Intravenous (IV): 15 mg to be given as a single dose or rather 15 mg after every six hours. The total dose should not go beyond 60mg per day.

Intramuscular (IM): 30mg to be administered as a single dose or 15 mg after every six hours. The entire dose should not exceed 60 mg per day.

Pediatric (off-label):

Children below 2 years: Their safety and efficacy are not yet established.

Children aged from 2 to 16 years: Single dose of 0.5mg/kg for either IV or IM once. The dose should not exceed 15 mg.

Multi-dose: 0.5mg/kg for either IV or IM every six hours. The dose should not be given for more than five days.

Children aged more than 16 years and weighing less than 50kg

IV:30mg to be administered as a single dose or 30mg to be taken every six hours. The dose should not exceed 120 mg per day.

IM:60mg for a single dose or 30mg after every 6 hours. The dose should not go beyond 120mg per day.

Oral:20 mg once after IV or IM therapy. This should be followed by 10mg every four to six hours. The dose should not be more than 40mg per day.

Conditions Treated by Toradol

You can also use Toradol to treat the pain associated with these conditions:

• Migraine

• Arthritis

• Injury resulting from physical activities

Conclusion

Reducing pain is essential when it comes to quick and comfortable recovery following a surgical operation. This is why you need Toradol to help you return to your normal lifestyle after an operation. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions when using this drug to avoid severe side effects.