Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play an important role in the pain management in various clinical conditions such as headaches, menstrual disorders, postoperative pain, spinal and soft tissue pain, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that are needed to produce prostaglandin.
Ketorolac tromethamine (Toradol) is a NSAID available in Canada that is administered by either oral tablets or intramuscular injection, though this review will focus solely on oral administration. Oral Toradol has a Health Canada indication for short-term management (not to exceed 5 days for post-surgical patients or 7 days for patients with musculoskeletal pain) of moderate to moderately severe acute pain, including post-surgical pain, acute musculoskeletal trauma pain and post-partum uterine cramping pain. The recommended dose for oral administration is 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not exceeding 40 mg per day. Common side effects include rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, and fluid retention. Toradol, like most NSAIDs, is commonly associated with gastrointestinal bleeding. In view of the concern regarding the potential safety risks and uncertainty of additional benefits compared with other NSAIDs, this report aims to review the clinical effectiveness of oral ketorolac for management of dental, non-dental, and non-cancer pain.
Disclaimer: The Rapid Response Service is an information service for those involved in planning and providing health care in Canada. Rapid responses are based on a limited literature search and are not comprehensive, systematic reviews. The intent is to provide a list of sources of the best evidence on the topic that CADTH could identify using all reasonable efforts within the time allowed. Rapid responses should be considered along with other types of information and health care considerations. The information included in this response is not intended to replace professional medical advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation for or against the use of a particular health technology. Readers are also cautioned that a lack of good quality evidence does not necessarily mean a lack of effectiveness particularly in the case of new and emerging health technologies, for which little information can be found, but which may in future prove to be effective. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of the report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete and up to date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not liable for any loss or damages resulting from use of the information in the report.
