Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the short-term management of moderate to severe acute pain in adults. It is commonly initiated in a hospital, surgical center, emergency department, or clinic as an intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) injection and, when appropriate, may be continued for a limited time with oral tablets. The hallmark of Toradol is its strong analgesic effect within the NSAID class, often allowing clinicians to reduce or avoid opioids after surgery or during acute injuries while still achieving substantial pain relief.
How Toradol works: it inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, which reduces the synthesis of prostaglandins—chemical messengers that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. By lowering prostaglandin levels, Toradol diminishes pain signaling and inflammatory responses. Because prostaglandins also protect the stomach lining, support kidney blood flow, and aid platelet function, their inhibition explains many of ketorolac’s potential risks (e.g., gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding, kidney complications, and effects on clotting).
What Toradol is used for:
Toradol is not indicated for mild or chronic pain conditions, and it is not a first-line therapy for long-term inflammatory disorders. Treatment duration must not exceed 5 days in adults, regardless of route of administration, due to cumulative risks of gastrointestinal bleeding, renal impairment, and other serious adverse events. Toradol is not approved for use in children in many jurisdictions.
General principles:
Adult dosing (parenteral):
Adult dosing (oral):
Transition from injection to tablets: when patients improve and can take medications by mouth, a clinician may switch from IM/IV Toradol to oral ketorolac to complete the short course. The combined duration of all routes must not surpass 5 days.
Special populations:
Administration tips and practical guidance:
Gastrointestinal (GI) risks: Toradol can cause irritation, ulcers, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which may occur without warning and at any time during use. Risk is higher in older adults, smokers, those with a prior history of ulcers or GI bleeding, individuals taking corticosteroids, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, or SSRIs/SNRIs, and people who drink alcohol. Seek immediate care if you develop black or bloody stools, persistent stomach pain, or vomiting blood.
Cardiovascular risks: NSAIDs (excluding aspirin at cardioprotective doses) may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including heart attack and stroke. The risk may rise with higher doses, longer duration, and in patients with existing cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Toradol is contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and should be used cautiously in patients with cardiovascular conditions.
Renal considerations: Toradol can reduce renal blood flow, leading to fluid retention, elevated blood pressure, or kidney injury—particularly in those with dehydration, heart failure, pre-existing kidney disease, or concurrent use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs and diuretics. Ensure adequate hydration and monitor kidney function if clinically indicated. Toradol is contraindicated in advanced renal impairment.
Bleeding and platelet function: Ketorolac inhibits platelet aggregation and can increase bleeding risk. Use with caution in individuals with bleeding disorders or those undergoing procedures with high bleeding risk. Avoid around the time of major surgery unless specifically indicated by a clinician.
Asthma and hypersensitivity: Patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma, nasal polyps, or a history of severe reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs are at increased risk of bronchospasm and anaphylactoid reactions. Avoid Toradol in this population. Discontinue immediately and seek emergency care if you develop wheezing, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.
Pregnancy and fertility: Avoid use at 20 weeks of gestation or later due to risk of fetal renal dysfunction and low amniotic fluid. Toradol is contraindicated in the third trimester because it may cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and complications during labor and delivery. NSAIDs may impair female fertility; consider alternative pain management if attempting to conceive.
Breastfeeding: Small amounts of ketorolac may pass into breast milk. Decisions about use while nursing should balance maternal benefit against potential infant risk; discuss individualized guidance with a clinician.
Neurologic effects: Toradol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or visual disturbances. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Liver function: Elevations in liver enzymes can occur with NSAIDs. Patients with hepatic impairment or chronic alcohol use should be monitored carefully.
Do not use Toradol if you have any of the following:
Toradol is generally not recommended in children and should not be used beyond 5 days in adults. Patients with severe heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, or significant liver disease require cautious risk–benefit evaluation.
Common side effects (often mild and transient):
Less common but important adverse effects:
Serious reactions—seek immediate medical care if you experience:
Risk reduction strategies:
Toradol can interact with prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Provide your clinician with an up-to-date list of everything you take.
Increased bleeding risk:
Other NSAIDs and corticosteroids:
Renal and blood pressure effects:
Drug-specific interactions:
Alcohol and tobacco:
When in doubt, do not start or stop any medication while on Toradol without guidance from your healthcare professional.
If you are taking Toradol on a scheduled regimen and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is near the time for your next dose. If it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double doses. Many patients receive Toradol on an as-needed basis; in that case, take it only when needed and as instructed. Never extend total therapy beyond 5 days.
Overdose symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, dizziness, black or bloody stools, fainting, slowed or shallow breathing, and signs of kidney problems (such as decreased urination or swelling). Overdose can lead to life-threatening GI bleeding, kidney failure, and other complications.
What to do:
Do not attempt to induce vomiting unless instructed by a healthcare professional. Supportive care, monitoring, and targeted interventions will be determined by medical staff based on clinical status.
General storage for tablets:
For injectable formulations:
Disposal:
Safety reminder: Always keep medicines in a secure location. If accidental ingestion occurs, contact Poison Control immediately.
In the United States, Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine) is a prescription-only medication regulated by the FDA. Federal and state laws require that ketorolac be prescribed or ordered by a licensed clinician after an appropriate medical evaluation. It is also subject to strict duration limits: regardless of route (IM/IV/oral), total therapy must not exceed 5 days due to well-established safety risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding and renal injury.
Key points for consumers:
About claims of obtaining Toradol without a formal prescription: U.S. law requires a valid clinician order or prescription for ketorolac, whether the medication is administered in a facility or dispensed to take home. Any assertion that Toradol can be obtained “without a prescription” should be treated with caution. In legitimate care pathways, medications may be administered on-site under a provider’s order; this is still a formal medical authorization and not an over-the-counter transaction.
If you are exploring pain management options, prioritize safety and legality by consulting licensed healthcare professionals and using certified pharmacies. Verify the credentials of any clinic or pharmacy and ensure that any medication you receive follows FDA and state board regulations, including the 5-day treatment limit for ketorolac.
Toradol is the brand name for ketorolac, a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for short-term treatment of moderate to severe acute pain, often after surgery or injuries.
Ketorolac blocks cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that make prostaglandins, reducing inflammation and pain signals; it does not affect the cause of pain, only the perception and inflammatory response.
It’s used for short-term acute pain such as postoperative pain, kidney stone pain, acute musculoskeletal injuries, and sometimes migraine in urgent care settings; it is not for chronic or mild pain.
It can be given as an injection (IV or IM) in clinics or hospitals, as a nasal spray in some regions, and as oral tablets that are typically used to continue therapy after an injection.
Typical adult dosing: 30 mg IV or IM every 6 hours as needed (max 120 mg/day), or 10 mg by mouth every 4–6 hours (max 40 mg/day); older adults, low body weight, or those with renal issues require lower doses (often 15 mg IV/IM and lower daily maximums).
Toradol carries dose- and duration-related risks for gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney injury, and other complications; limiting use to 5 days (total across all forms) reduces these risks.
Avoid if you have active peptic ulcers or recent GI bleeding, advanced kidney disease, a history of NSAID or aspirin allergy, bleeding disorders, high bleeding risk, in the third trimester of pregnancy, during labor, after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or if you’re taking other NSAIDs.
Common effects include stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and headache; mild bruising or injection-site pain can occur with shots.
Seek urgent help for black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, severe stomach pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, sudden weakness, confusion, decreased urine output, or severe rash/face swelling.
Yes; taking it with food, milk, or an antacid may lessen stomach irritation, though it does not eliminate the risk of GI bleeding.
Yes; acetaminophen can be combined with Toradol because it works via a different pathway and does not increase bleeding risk like other NSAIDs can; do not combine Toradol with other NSAIDs.
No; Toradol is an NSAID. It does not cause opioid-type effects like euphoria or dependence and is often used to reduce the need for opioids after surgery.
IV Toradol can start relieving pain within 10–30 minutes; IM and oral forms typically start within 30–60 minutes, with effects lasting about 4–6 hours.
No; Toradol is for short-term use only and should not be used for chronic pain due to higher risks of serious adverse effects with longer duration.
Risky combinations include other NSAIDs or aspirin, anticoagulants (warfarin, apixaban), antiplatelets (clopidogrel), SSRIs/SNRIs, corticosteroids, lithium, methotrexate, and ACE inhibitor/ARB plus diuretic “triple whammy.”
It’s best to avoid alcohol; alcohol increases the risk of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding when combined with NSAIDs like Toradol.
No; Toradol is contraindicated in the third trimester due to risk of fetal kidney problems and premature closure of the ductus arteriosus; avoid in labor and delivery and discuss safer alternatives with your obstetric provider.
Small amounts enter breast milk; short-term use after delivery is often considered acceptable in healthy term infants, but caution is advised—use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, and consult your clinician.
Yes; Toradol is commonly used postoperatively to reduce moderate to severe pain and lessen opioid requirements, but surgeons may avoid it in procedures with high bleeding risk.
Generally no; Toradol can impair platelet function and increase bleeding risk, so it’s usually avoided before surgery or invasive dental work unless specifically directed by a clinician.
Ketorolac can reduce kidney blood flow and worsen renal function; avoid in advanced kidney disease and during dehydration. Stay well hydrated and ask for kidney function monitoring if you’re at risk.
Toradol increases the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding. If you have a history of ulcers or GI bleeding, it’s usually avoided or used with extreme caution and gastroprotection when benefits outweigh risks.
Yes, but use lower doses and shorter duration; older adults have higher risks of GI bleeding, kidney injury, and cardiovascular events.
Some people with asthma, especially those with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), can have severe reactions to NSAIDs; avoid Toradol if you’ve had asthma symptoms triggered by aspirin/NSAIDs.
Use extreme caution or avoid; combining Toradol with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, or SSRIs/SNRIs significantly increases bleeding risk—ask your prescriber for safer alternatives.
Toradol is more potent and intended for short-term prescription use, often via injection for acute moderate to severe pain; ibuprofen is OTC, milder, suitable for mild to moderate pain, and safer for longer use at appropriate doses.
Naproxen has a longer duration and is commonly used for chronic conditions like arthritis; Toradol is stronger per milligram and reserved for short-term acute pain due to higher GI and renal risks with prolonged use.
Diclofenac is effective for musculoskeletal and inflammatory pain and can be used chronically under supervision; Toradol provides powerful short-term analgesia, particularly by injection, but must be limited to 5 days.
Meloxicam is a once-daily NSAID with some COX-2 preference, often used for chronic arthritis with potentially less GI irritation than nonselective NSAIDs; Toradol is for short-term acute pain only and is generally stronger but riskier with longer use.
Both are potent NSAIDs; indomethacin is used for gout flares and certain headaches but has notable CNS and GI side effects; Toradol is commonly preferred for acute postoperative pain and is limited to 5 days.
Celecoxib is COX-2 selective and tends to cause fewer GI ulcers than nonselective NSAIDs, though risks remain; Toradol has higher GI bleeding risk with prolonged use and is restricted to short courses.
They should not be combined; both increase bleeding risk. Aspirin is often used for cardiovascular protection at low doses; Toradol should be avoided in patients needing aspirin for cardioprotection unless a specialist advises otherwise.
Ketoprofen is an older NSAID used for musculoskeletal pain, sometimes chronically; Toradol is more potent for acute pain and frequently used parenterally, but with stricter safety limits.
Nabumetone may be used for chronic arthritis with a somewhat GI-sparing profile; Toradol is not for long-term use and is reserved for short bursts of acute pain.
Etodolac, with some COX-2 preference, is suitable for chronic inflammatory pain; Toradol is chosen for short-term moderate to severe acute pain, particularly post-surgical, to reduce opioid needs.
IV Toradol acts fastest (often within 10–30 minutes). IM and oral forms are slower, with oral typically starting in 30–60 minutes. All routes share the same 5-day total treatment limit.
Topical NSAIDs deliver lower systemic exposure and have fewer GI and renal risks, making them better for localized soft-tissue or joint pain; Toradol provides systemic, stronger pain relief but with higher systemic risk.
COX-2 inhibitors (like celecoxib) may reduce GI complications but can carry cardiovascular risks; Toradol is nonselective, potent, and short-term only. Choice depends on pain severity, bleeding risk, CV history, and duration needed.
Both are effective IV NSAIDs for acute pain. Toradol is often considered more potent per dose but has strict dosing and duration limits; IV ibuprofen may be favored when longer NSAID therapy is anticipated or bleeding risk is a concern.
