Overview

Toradol is not indicated for use in pediatric patients and is not recommended for minor or chronic painful conditions. Increasing the dose of Toradol beyond a daily maximum of 40 mg in adults will not provide better efficacy but will only increase the risk of developing serious adverse events.

Toradol is usually used before or after medical procedures or surgery. Reducing pain will help you recover more comfortably so that you can return to your normal daily activities. 

This medication works by blocking your body’s production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect also helps to decrease fever, swelling, or pain. 

Toradol should not be used for mild or long-term painful conditions such as arthritis.

Side Effects

The common side effects of Toradol include the following:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• dizziness 
• gas
• drowsiness

if any of these side effects worsen or persist, tell your doctor immediately.

Toradol may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and report to your doctor if the results are high.

Immediately report to your doctor if you experience any of the unlikely but serious side effects:

• fast or pounding heartbeat
• fainting
• changes in hearing
• mental or mood changes
• stomach pain
• headaches
• vision changes
• stomach pain
• heart failure

Toradol may rarely cause serious liver disease. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any symptoms of liver damage, such as stomach or abdominal pain, dark urine, persistent nausea or vomiting, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.

A serious allergic reaction to Toradol is rare. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including rash, severe dizziness, itching or swelling, and trouble breathing.

Dosage and Administration

Use the lowest effective dose of Toradol for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. In adult patients, the combined duration of use of IV or IM dosing of Toradol should not exceed 5 days. In adults, the use of Toradol is only prescribed as continuation therapy to IV or IM dosing.

Patients age 17 to 64 – 20 mg taken by mouth once followed by 10 mg q4-6 hours as needed not higher than 40 mg/day.

Patients age 65 or more, renally impaired, and weigh less than 50 kg – 10 mg taken by mouth once followed by 10 mg q4-6 hours as needed not more than 40 mg/day.

Drug Interaction

Some products may interact with Toradol including aliskiren, angiotensin II receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, methotrexate, lithium, probenecid, corticosteroids, and medications that may affect the kidneys.

Toradol may increase the risk of bleeding when taken other drugs that may cause bleeding, such as blood thinners and anti-platelet drugs.

You must check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully as many medications contain pain relievers or fever reduces. These drugs are similar to Toradol and may increase your risk of side effects when taken together. If you are taking low-dose aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack, continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Warning and Precautions

Before you start taking Toradol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it, or to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or if you have any other form of allergies. Toradol may contain inactive ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction or other problems.

Before taking Toradol, share with your doctor your medical history, especially if you have had asthma, clotting or bleeding problems, high blood pressure, blood disorders, liver disease, nasal polyps, problems with the throat, stomach or intestines, stroke, or swelling of the ankles or feet.

Kidney problems may occur with the use of NSAIDs, including Toradol. Problems are more likely to occur when you are dehydrated, have kidney disease or heart failure, are an older adult, or if you take certain medications that interact with Toradol.  Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Toradol may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding. Daily use of tobacco and alcohol, when combined with Toradol, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit your consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.

Toradol may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your exposure to sunlight. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Overdose and Contraindications

If someone has overdosed and has trouble breathing or has passed out, immediately call emergency medical services. If the symptoms of overdose are not life-threatening, call your doctor immediately or your local poison control center.

Do not share Toradol with others. This medication is prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it sometime in the future for another condition unless your director specifically orders you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

Clinical Pharmacology

Toradol is a new chiral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is marketed for analgesia as the racemate. It is administered as the water-soluble tromethamine salt and comes in tablet form or as an intramuscular injection. The absorption of Toradol is rapid. Maximum serum concentration can be attained between 20 to 60 minutes. The oral bioavailability is estimated to range from 80 to 100%.

Medication Guide

Toradol is for the relief of moderately severe pain that usually occurs after a surgery or other painful procedures. It belongs to the group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Toradol is not a narcotic and is not habit-forming. It does not cause physical or mental dependence, as narcotics do. Toradol, however, is sometimes used together with a narcotic to provide better pain relief than either medicine used alone. 

Toradol has side effects that could be very dangerous, the risk of which increases with the dose of Toradol and the length of treatment. Toradol should not be used for more than 5 days. Before taking this medicine, you should discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using it.