Ketorolac, generally sold under the brand name Toradol, is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug generally used as an analgesic, more commonly known as a painkiller. Developed by Syntex Crop (now part of Roche) in 1989, ketorolac was accepted into the medical field in the U.S. the same year it was revealed. Toradol generally comes in tablet or capsule form and is orally ingested, however, it may also be injected into the muscle as a solution and consumed intranasally.

The main function of Toradol is to help manage and minimize short-term pain, from moderate to severe. Toradol works by blocking the creation of prostaglandins, the reasons behind fever, pain, and inflammation. It should not be taken for more than five days and disregarding such warnings can easily lead to a variety of adverse effects that are not only unpleasant but also dangerous.

Administration Of Toradol

Toradol in the tablet form is available as a 10 mg tablet and is available as a 30 mg/ml solution for intramuscular or intravenous administration. Because of its powerful effects, Toradol should only be taken once every six hours, with the safe limit being under 120 mg per day. As mentioned before, Toradol should be taken for five days or less, but under certain more severe circumstances, a patient will find that limit raised to seven days.

Anyone that takes aspirin or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should avoid Toradol, as the effects of each drug do stack and can lead to extremely dangerous withdrawal symptoms like the ones listed above. Expecting mothers are another group of people who should also avoid taking Toradol as a pain reliever or anti-inflammatory. Pregnant women should avoid many substances in general while pregnant, and Toradol is no exception.

The Side Effects

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Stomachache
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Pains in the stomach region
• Bloating
• Sweating
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Faint ringing in the ears
• Gaseous stomach
• Constipation

Treating Symptoms: Dizziness

Dizziness is among the most common negative side effects associated with medications, so learning how to treat your nauseous feeling will not only benefit you when it comes to Toradol, but to almost every other medication like it.

There are a few exercises that you can do if your Toradol side effects are making you dizzy, one of which includes “balance therapy,” which trains your body to be less sensitive to movement. Also called “vestibular rehabilitation,” balance therapy is a physical therapy technique commonly used to treat people whose dizziness is caused by inner ear conditions.

Some medications can be used as counters to dizziness, practically canceling out the effect. Drugs such as Meclizine and other antihistamines offer short-term relief, and anti-anxiety medications such as Valium or Xanax have also shown to be useful.

It is important to keep in mind that both Valium and Xanax are addictive and can cause drowsiness.

Treating Symptoms: Stomachaches

A stomachache, while it is common throughout many drug side effects, is more severe when it comes to Toradol use, as well as the other stomach-related problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. Luckily, there are many ways to avoid these stomach pains and the discomfort caused by them.

The first thing you can do to avoid stomachaches is to keep from engaging in large meals and instead eat small snacks throughout the day. Eating too quickly and too much can mess with your digestion, and your body will likely attempt to digest food even when you’re full, so eating small meals slowly can be vital in preventing stomachaches.

A commonly overlooked way to avoid stomach issues is by balancing stress out. Those that are stressed while taking Toradol or any other medication are much more likely to experience stomach pains. Things such as exercise, yoga, or even just meditation can help balance your stress levels out and reduce the likelihood of experiencing stomachaches.

Treating Symptoms: Sweating

Sweating is a common side effect when it comes to almost any drug, from painkillers to antidepressants. Excessive sweating is defined as “sweating more than needed to regulate body temperature,” also known as hyperhidrosis.

If you find yourself excessively sweating, the first line of treatment includes the use of over-the-counter deodorants and antiperspirants. These offer “clinical strength” results and utilize aluminum zirconium as well as prescription-strength aluminum chloride. It is important to ask a doctor before using special deodorants, as these ingredients can irritate the skin.

Excessive sweating can cause dehydration, so doing the obvious things like drinking water and staying in a cool environment is just as crucial as any medication used to treat hyperhidrosis.

Side Effects of Toradol Injection

A Toradol injection must be administered into your muscle or vein directly. Your doctor will administer this drug as a one-time dose or put you on a regular schedule. If you’re placed on a regular drug schedule, it’ll likely be injected every six hours as needed. You should never inject this drug into your spine.

The dosage of a Toradol injection will be determined by your medical condition and how you respond to treatment. To reduce the chances of stomach bleeding or other adverse side effects, doctors will administer the lowest effective dose for the shortest time frame. You should never increase your dose, use it more frequently, or take it longer than five days. If you experience pain after five days, speak with your doctor about alternative medications. 

If you’ve been taking the medication and noticed side effects, you must report them to your doctor immediately. The most common less severe effects of Toradol include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Reactions at the injection site
• Itching
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Increased hunger
• Excessive sweating

Less common but severe side effects include the following:

• Skin rash
• Inflammation of the skin caused by an allergy
• High blood pressure
• Stomatitis, a condition where painful swelling and sores occur in the mouth
• Visible water retention

Rare side effects that can be severe include the following:

• Depression
• Anemia
• Decreased platelet clotting
• Large brown or purple skin blotches
• Hyperactivity
• Increased eosinophils in the blood
• Hearing loss
• Blurred vision
• Asthma
• Vocal cord swelling
• Fluid in the lungs
• Gastritis
• Bronchospasm
• Extrapyramidal disease
• Blood coming from the anus
• Ulcers from increased production of stomach acid
• Kidney inflammation
• Blood during bowel movements
• Kidney failure
• Bloody urine
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Nosebleeds
• Swelling of the tongue

Before Using Toradol

If you decide to use this medication, you must weigh the pros and cons before considering it. There are risks involved when using this medication, which must be discussed. This is a decision only you and your treating physician can make, but you should take the following into account when deciding on taking Toradol. 

Allergies

Speak with your doctor about any potential allergies or if you’ve had unusual allergic reactions to Toradol or other medications. You should also mention if you’ve had any other allergies, such as to dyes, foods, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, pay attention to the label or package ingredients. 

Pediatric 

Studies on Toradol have only taken part in adult patients. Unfortunately, there is no information available about the effects of Toradol in children up to 16 years old. 

Geriatric 

For the elderly, the use of Toradol could result in swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs, stomach or intestinal issues, and a decrease in the amount of urine produced. Senior adults are more sensitive to the effects of Toradol than younger adults. Older adults are also more prone to getting very sick if the medication leads to stomach issues. Studies have found that Toradol remains in the body of older individuals longer than young adults. Your doctor will determine how much of the drug should be given for each dose and how often it should be administered. 

Breastfeeding

Let your doctor know if you’re breastfeeding or planning on breastfeeding, as Toradol has demonstrated harmful effects on infants. Please seek alternative options or stop breastfeeding if you plan on using this medication.

Toradol Drug Interactions

Unless your doctor advises otherwise, certain medications shouldn’t be used together. Two different medications used together may lead to an adverse interaction. In these situations, the doctor may want to change the dosage or take other precautions. If you’re planning on using Toradol and taking the following medication, you may have to seek an alternative or stop use altogether. Speak with your doctor about which medications you’re taking.

Seeking Help

While Toradol may not seem dangerous because it does not technically classify as addictive, there is still room for it to be abused. Long-term abuse of Toradol (a short-term medication) can lead to liver failure, ulcers, and a variety of dangerous and life-threatening side effects.

If you or someone you know suffers from any drug abuse disorder or addiction, Arete Recovery is more than happy to help. By offering you a team of professional doctors, nurses, and therapists, Arete Recovery makes sure that your addiction is put at the top of their priorities. Remember: your problem is our problem, and we’ll stop at nothing to make sure that you can ultimately lead a life free from addiction.

Call us at (855) 781-9939 to begin your journey to sobriety.