This article describes ketorolac oral tablet’s dosages and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for ketorolac. If you want to know more about ketorolac oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Ketorolac oral tablet is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Ketorolac also comes in injectable forms, eye drops, and a nasal spray, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug’s boxed warnings include risk of:
- serious digestive problems
- serious heart and blood vessel problems, such as a heart attack
- kidney failure
- bleeding
- serious effects with use during labor and delivery
- serious effects when used with NSAIDs
- serious effects in certain adults
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strength of ketorolac
Ketorolac oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you’ll take by swallowing
- Strength: 10 milligrams (mg)
Dosage of ketorolac
This article describes the recommended dosages for ketorolac oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of ketorolac oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of ketorolac in adults
Ketorolac oral tablet is prescribed for short-term management of moderate to severe pain. Ketorolac treatment typically starts with a ketorolac injection. If needed, your treatment may continue with ketorolac oral tablets.
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of ketorolac oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of ketorolac oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
The following table contains the recommended dosages in milligrams (mg).
| Age or condition | Initial dosage | Maintenance dosage* | Maximum dosage |
| 17–64 years | 20 mg as a single dose | 10 mg every 4–6 hours as needed | 40 mg per day |
| • 65 years and older • kidney problems • body weight under 50 kilograms (kg)† | 10 mg as a single dose | 10 mg every 4–6 hours as needed | 40 mg per day |
* A maintenance dosage is what you’ll take throughout treatment, often after a starting dosage.
† For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Dosage adjustments for ketorolac
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of ketorolac oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- other medications you may take
Missed dose of ketorolac
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of ketorolac oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of ketorolac oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about ketorolac oral tablet and its dosage.
Does ketorolac have a 30 mg dose?
No, the recommended initial dosage of ketorolac oral tablet ranges from 10–20 milligrams (mg) as a single dose. The recommended maintenance dosage* is 10 mg every 4–6 hours as needed.
It’s important to take ketorolac exactly as prescribed by your doctor due to its risk of serious side effects. These can include heart and blood vessel problems, digestive problems, and kidney problems. In fact, the drug has boxed warnings about these and other risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* A maintenance dosage is what you’ll take throughout treatment, often after a starting dosage.
Is ketorolac taken long term?
No, doctors do not typically prescribe ketorolac oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use. In fact, they limit the use of ketorolac injection and ketorolac oral tablet to no more than 5 days in a row. Using ketorolac for longer can cause serious side effects.
If you have questions about how long you should take ketorolac oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How ketorolac is taken
You’ll swallow oral tablet once every 4–6 hours as needed. To lower the risk of an upset stomach, take the drug with food.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
The drugmaker doesn’t specify whether the tablet can be cut, chewed, or crushed. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Ketorolac coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for ketorolac when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardOverdose of ketorolac
It’s important that you do not take more ketorolac oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of ketorolac overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- lethargy (low energy)
- drowsiness
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain below the ribs
- bleeding in the stomach or intestines
- high blood pressure
- kidney failure
- slowed breathing
- coma
What to do if you take too much ketorolac
If you think you’ve taken too much ketorolac, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for ketorolac oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of ketorolac oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take ketorolac oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will I take ketorolac oral tablet?
- How does the dosage of ketorolac compare with the dosage of an opioid?
- What should I do if I’m still having pain after 5 days of taking ketorolac?
Boxed warnings for ketorolac
This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Risk of serious digestive problems. Ketorolac oral tablet can cause serious and life threatening digestive problems, including ulcers (sores), bleeding, or tears in the stomach or intestines. These problems can occur at any time during ketorolac treatment and without any warning signs. The risk is higher for adults ages 65 years and older. If you have a history of digestive problems, your doctor will likely not prescribe ketorolac.
If you experience any symptoms of digestive issues while taking ketorolac oral tablet, get medical help right away. These symptoms can include:
Risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attack. Ketorolac oral tablet can increase your risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems, including heart attack and stroke. These problems can occur early on during ketorolac treatment. And your risk increases the longer you take the medication or if you recently had coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
If you have any symptoms of heart or blood vessel problems while taking ketorolac, call 911 or get emergency medical help right away. These symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- weakness on one side of your body
- difficulty speaking
Risk of kidney failure. Ketorolac oral tablet can cause kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure. The risk is higher in people with kidney conditions, heart failure, and liver conditions. Older adults and people who take certain medications, such as diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, are also at higher risk of developing kidney problems.
Due to this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe ketorolac if you have severe kidney problems. If you have mild to moderate kidney issues, your doctor may monitor you more closely.
Risk of bleeding. Ketorolac oral tablet can increase your risk of serious bleeding. Examples include bleeding in your stomach or brain. The risk is higher if you take other medications that increase your risk of bleeding, such as warfarin or heparin.
Due to this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe ketorolac if you:
- have bleeding in your skull or brain
- have certain bleeding disorders
- are at high risk of bleeding
Risk of serious effects with use during labor and delivery. Ketorolac should not be taken during labor and delivery. Use of ketorolac during labor and delivery can interfere with your unborn baby’s blood flow and block contractions of the uterus.
Risk of serious effects when used with NSAIDs. Ketorolac oral tablet should not be taken with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Taking ketorolac together with other NSAIDs can increase your risk of serious side effects, such as heart and blood vessel problems, digestive issues, and kidney problems. Because of this risk, it’s important that you discuss all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take with your doctor or pharmacist before you start ketorolac treatment.
Risk of serious effects in certain adults. Certain adults are at higher risk of serious side effects from ketorolac. This includes:
- adults ages 65 years and older
- people who weigh less than 50 kilograms (kg)*
- people with kidney problems
Due to this risk, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of ketorolac if you have any of these health factors.
You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.
* For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.