Ketorolac General Information
Ketorolac is used to relieve eye pain, burning, and stinging following a certain type of corrective eye surgery (corneal refractive surgery). Ketorolac belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking certain natural substances in your body to reduce pain and swelling.
How to Use Ketorolac
Apply Ketorolac to the operated eye(s), usually 4 times daily as needed or as directed by your doctor.
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
Ketorolac should not be used while wearing contact lenses. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.
If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.
Ketorolac is usually used for up to 4 days after eye surgery or as directed by your doctor. Do not apply Ketorolac more often than prescribed or continue using it for longer than directed by your doctor. Prolonged use of Ketorolac eye drops (more than 2 weeks) may increase the risk of very serious side effects of the eye.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
Ketorolac Possible Side Effects
Ketorolac may temporarily sting or burn your eyes for 1-2 minutes when applied. Eye redness and headache may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Ketorolac because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Ketorolac do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: eye swelling, eye discharge.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vision changes, eye pain, bleeding inside the eye.
A very serious allergic reaction to Ketorolac is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Ketorolac Precautions
Before using Ketorolac, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin, other NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. Ketorolac may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Ketorolac should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using Ketorolac, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs).
Before using Ketorolac, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, previous eye surgery, other eye problems (e.g., dry eye syndrome, corneal problems), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, nasal polyps.
Your vision may be temporarily unstable after applying Ketorolac. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Before using Ketorolac, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks (such as miscarriage, trouble getting pregnant). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, Ketorolac should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery.
It is unknown if Ketorolac passes into breast milk, but it is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Ketorolac Possible Intercations
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using Ketorolac, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: corticosteroid drugs (e.g., prednisone), other eye medications (e.g., corticosteroid eye drops).
Ketorolac may increase the risk of bleeding when used with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others.
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen). These drugs are similar to Ketorolac and may increase your risk of side effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Ketorolac, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.