Ketorolac dosage: What you need to know

When working with Ketorolac, a potent non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for short‑term moderate to severe pain. Also known as Toradol, it is typically prescribed for postoperative or trauma‑related pain and comes in oral tablets, intramuscular, and intravenous forms.

The way you dose Ketorolac depends on a few core entities. First, NSAIDs, a drug class that works by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis set the baseline safety limits. Second, postoperative pain, the acute pain that follows surgery or injury often dictates whether you choose the oral or injectable route. Third, renal function, how well the kidneys filter waste and drugs is a key factor that can lower the maximum daily dose or shorten the treatment period.

Key factors that shape dosing decisions

Ketorolac dosage encompasses several forms: 10‑30 mg tablets taken every 6 hours, or a 15‑mg IV/IM injection every 6 hours. The standard maximum is 5 days for oral use and 2 days for injectable use—any longer raises the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney injury. This is a classic example of a semantic triple: Ketorolac dosage requires renal function assessment. If a patient’s creatinine clearance drops below 50 mL/min, the dose should be reduced by half or avoided altogether.

Another important triple: NSAIDs influence Ketorolac dosing. Because Ketorolac shares the same pathway as other NSAIDs, combining it with ibuprofen or naproxen can double the bleeding risk. Therefore, clinicians often advise patients to skip other over‑the‑counter NSAIDs while on Ketorolac. Similarly, concurrent use of anticoagulants like warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants pushes the safe dose lower, and many providers opt for non‑NSAID pain relievers in those cases.

When it comes to postoperative pain, the goal is rapid relief without lingering side effects. An injectable dose at the end of surgery can bring pain scores down within minutes, which is why many surgeons prefer the IV route for the first 24‑48 hours. After that, switching to oral tablets keeps the pain under control while allowing the patient to go home. This transition illustrates another triple: postoperative pain management benefits from a step‑down from injectable to oral Ketorolac. The step‑down helps maintain analgesia while respecting the drug’s short‑term use recommendation.

Special populations need extra attention. Elderly patients often have reduced kidney clearance, so a 5‑mg oral dose every 12 hours may be the safest start. Patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease should be on a proton‑pump inhibitor alongside Ketorolac, or consider an alternative analgesic altogether. By matching the dose to age, kidney health, and ulcer risk, you follow the triple: Ketorolac dosage is tailored to patient-specific risk factors.

Finally, remember the practical side of ordering. Many pharmacies stock Ketorolac as a 10‑mg tablet pack and a 15‑mg injectable vial. When you prescribe, be clear about the route, frequency, and maximum duration. Clear instructions reduce confusion, cut down on accidental over‑use, and keep patients within the safe window.

Below you’ll find a curated set of articles that dive deeper into each of these points—box warnings, weight‑loss meds, hormone interactions, and more. Whether you’re a clinician fine‑tuning a pain protocol or a patient trying to understand your prescription, the collection offers actionable insights on dosing, safety, and alternatives.