Ketolac is a well-known powerful pain killer, especially after undergoing surgeries.
Are there any other uses for it? And how risky could using Ketolac without a prescription be?
Here’s what you need to know about Ketolac, including its uses, side effects, and some precautions to take before using it.
What is Ketolac?
It is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug.
The active ingredient in this product is (Ketorolac Tromethamine).
It works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins as well as other pyretic and inflammatory substances.
Dosage forms
Ketolac is available in the form of tablets and injections.
Ketolac tablets
Each tablet contains 10 mg of (Ketorolac Tromethamine).
Ketolac injections
As for injections; they are available in many concentrations: 15 mg/ml, 30mg/ml, and 60mg/2ml.
Ketolac uses
Ketolac, is used for a short period in short-term treatment, and it is highly effective as:
- A potent analgesic after surgeries and in cases of severe pain and inflammations.
- Reduces pain, allowing for a faster recovery and return to daily activities.
- It reduces swelling and fever.
Adverse effects
Using any medication is a benefit-risk ratio in which the benefit far outweighs the side effects.
Ketolac; like any drug, has side effects, for example:
- Headache.
- Heartburn.
- Stomach disorders.
- Nausea and vomiting or diarrhea.
- Dizziness.
- Sweating.
- Bloating and constipation.
Stop taking this medicine immediately and consult your doctor if you observe any of the following dangerous and rare side effects:
- Bloody or dark stool.
- Constant stomach pain.
- Coffee-like vomit.
- Shortness of breath.
- Weakness on one side of the body.
- Difficulty speaking.
- Sudden vision changes.
Contraindications
Consult the doctor or the pharmacist before taking Ketolac as an analgesic, if you are:
- Allergic to the active ingredient (ketorolac Tromethamine) or Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Celecoxib.
- Asthmatic.
- Experiencing any blood clotting or bleeding problems.
- Pregnant as it may harm the fetus; since it is classified as a pregnancy category C and D (meaning it is used with caution if its benefits outweigh its risks or in life-threatening emergencies).
It is not recommended for pregnant women to use Ketolac at 20 weeks gestation to delivery time.
Also, avoid using it at 30 weeks.
- Lactating since Ketolac passes into breast milk. Consulting your doctor is a must before taking it.
Ketolac use warnings
There are some precautions you must consider during using Ketolac; to help reduce the side effects, including:
Age
The doctor may need to adjust the dose for the elderly and children between two to 16 years old.
It is not used for children under two years old.
Duration
The duration of taking the drug should not exceed five days.
So as not to increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
NSAIDs rarely increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, but taking them for a long time may cause harm at any time, especially for the elderly and heart disease patients.
Heart diseases
Having a family history of heart diseases, high blood pressure, or even smoking increases the risk of adverse effects of Ketolac.
Stomach problems
Ketolac rarely causes gastrointestinal bleeding; however, the elderly or patients with stomach or intestinal problems such as bleeding or ulcers are more vulnerable to these risks.
Surgeries
Not taken before or after heart surgeries; coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or during childbirth.
Kidney diseases
Using Ketolac is prohibited in patients with kidney diseases or those at high risk of having kidney disease.
Tips before taking Ketolac
Before taking this medicine:
- Avoid lying for 10 minutes after taking it.
- It is preferable to take Ketolac with food or milk or antacids; to avoid gut disorders during the treatment duration.
- Be careful; if you take high doses of Aspirin or any NSAIDs, do not take Ketolac.
- It is better to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period; to avoid the adverse effects, as mentioned before.
- Do not increase the dose by yourself, and do not take this medicine more than the prescribed time.
- If the pain persists for more than five days, consult your doctor for Ketolac alternatives that you can use.
- Remember to take this medicine at the onset of pain if you use it as an analgesic when needed, as waiting for pain exacerbation is not the best option.
Pharmaceutical doses
The dose depends on the medical condition and the responsiveness.
Tablets dose
Orally every 4 to 6 hours with a glass of water.
A complementary dose can be used after IV or IM injection when needed.
The dose should not exceed 40 mg/24h.
Injection dose
It is used for acute conditions, not for simple or chronic ones.
IV: 30 mg as a single dose or every six hours.
IM: 60mg/2ml as a single dose or 30mg/1ml every six hours.
The dose should not exceed 120 mg/24h.
Drug interactions
Ketolac may interact with many drugs; that is why you should inform the physician or the pharmacist about all medicines or the supplements you take before starting taking Ketolac.
Ketolac price
Ketolac is available on the Egyptian market at the following prices:
Tablets: 18 EP.
Injections: 18 EP for the box containing five ampoules with a concentration of 30mg/2ml.
Dear reader, proceed with caution before taking any medication and do not rely on your personal experience for anyone else, no matter how similar the symptoms are.
It is so important to consult the physician or the pharmacist before taking Ketolac or any other drug.
