Why Ketorolac Cost Matters for Your Patients

Medication cost remains one of the most significant barriers to treatment adherence — and while generic Ketorolac oral tablets are among the more affordable prescription analgesics, the picture isn't always that simple. The nasal spray formulation (Sprix) carries a list price of $1,700-$2,200 per box, and even modest copays can be a barrier for patients managing acute pain alongside other financial pressures.

As a prescriber, understanding the cost landscape for Ketorolac helps you make informed decisions, guide patients toward savings, and improve outcomes. This guide covers what your patients are actually paying, what programs exist to reduce their costs, and how to build cost-awareness into your clinical workflow.

What Patients Are Paying for Ketorolac in 2026

Cost varies dramatically depending on the formulation:

Generic Oral Tablets (10 mg)

• Cash price: $10-$25 for 20 tablets
• With discount coupon: $10-$13 for 20 tablets
• Insurance copay: Typically $0-$15 on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans

For most patients, generic oral Ketorolac is not a cost barrier. The 5-day maximum treatment duration means a typical course requires only 10-20 tablets.

Generic Injection (15 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL)

• Hospital/facility cost: $2-$10 per vial
• Patient cost: Usually bundled into facility charges; not a direct out-of-pocket concern for most patients

Sprix Nasal Spray (Brand Only)

• Cash price: $1,700-$2,200 per box
• Insurance: May require prior authorization; not on all formularies
• This is where cost conversations matter most

Acular Ophthalmic Drops

• Generic: $13-$30
• Brand: $300+
• Insurance: Generally covered; generic widely available

Manufacturer Savings Programs

Because generic Ketorolac dominates the market for oral and injectable forms, manufacturer savings programs are limited:

• Sprix (nasal spray): Assertio/Egalet has previously offered a copay card program for Sprix. Check sprix.com for current patient savings offers. For eligible commercially insured patients, copay cards can reduce the out-of-pocket cost significantly.
• Generic oral/injection: No manufacturer savings programs are typically needed or available, given the already-low cost.

When prescribing Sprix, proactively check whether a savings program is currently active. The difference between a patient paying $50 and $2,000 can determine whether they fill the prescription at all.

Coupon and Discount Cards

For patients paying cash or facing high copays on generic Ketorolac, free discount cards can bring the cost down to the lowest available price:

• GoodRx — Widely used; shows prices at nearby pharmacies with free coupons. Generic Ketorolac tablets are often $10-$13.
• SingleCare — Similar pharmacy discount program with competitive pricing.
• RxSaver — Compares prices across pharmacies with printable or digital coupons.
• Optum Perks — Another free coupon option.
• BuzzRx, America's Pharmacy, CareCard — Additional discount card programs that can be worth checking.

These programs are free for patients and require no enrollment. They can be particularly valuable for uninsured patients or those in high-deductible health plans.

For a patient-facing guide, you can direct patients to our article on saving money on Ketorolac.

Patient Assistance Programs

For patients with genuine financial hardship, several resources exist:

• NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) — Database of patient assistance programs; lists options for Ketorolac.
• RxAssist (rxassist.org) — Comprehensive directory of patient assistance programs.
• RxHope (rxhope.com) — Helps connect patients with manufacturer and foundation assistance.
• Pfizer RxPathways — Since Hospira (a Pfizer subsidiary) is a major Ketorolac injection manufacturer, qualifying uninsured patients may be eligible for assistance with injectable forms.

In practice, given the low cost of generic oral Ketorolac, patient assistance programs are most relevant for the Sprix nasal spray formulation or for patients who need the injectable form in outpatient settings.

Generic Alternatives and Therapeutic Substitution

When cost is a primary concern — particularly with Sprix — consider whether an alternative formulation or therapeutic substitute serves the clinical need:

Within Ketorolac Formulations

• Oral tablets are dramatically cheaper than Sprix nasal spray. If the patient can transition from parenteral to oral and clinical appropriateness permits, oral generic Ketorolac at $10-$13 eliminates the cost barrier entirely.
• Injectable Ketorolac administered in-office may be more cost-effective than sending a patient home with Sprix, depending on the clinical scenario and insurance coverage.

Therapeutic Alternatives

If Ketorolac specifically is unavailable or cost-prohibitive, consider these alternatives — keeping in mind that none match Ketorolac's analgesic potency in the NSAID class:

• Ibuprofen (oral or IV) — Less potent but significantly cheaper and available OTC. Appropriate for mild-to-moderate acute pain.
• Diclofenac (oral, topical, or IV Dyloject) — Comparable anti-inflammatory potency. IV Diclofenac (Dyloject) is a reasonable hospital alternative.
• Naproxen — Longer half-life allows twice-daily dosing. Available OTC. Good option for post-acute transition.
• Celecoxib (Celebrex) — COX-2 selective with lower GI bleeding risk. Prescription only. Better for patients at high GI risk.

For a comprehensive look at alternatives, see our clinical guide on alternatives to Ketorolac.

Building Cost Conversations Into Your Workflow

Integrating cost awareness into prescribing doesn't require overhauling your practice. Here are practical steps:

At the Point of Prescribing

• Default to generic — Always prescribe generic Ketorolac Tromethamine rather than brand names unless a specific formulation is clinically necessary.
• Ask about insurance — A brief question about coverage status can guide formulation choice (oral vs. nasal spray).
• Mention discount cards — Keep GoodRx or SingleCare cards at the front desk or mention them during the encounter. For uninsured patients, this single step can cut costs by 50% or more.

For Sprix Specifically

• Check formulary coverage before prescribing
• Submit prior authorization proactively
• Investigate manufacturer copay card availability
• Consider whether in-office injection + oral follow-up is a more cost-effective treatment plan

Addressing Availability Concerns

Ketorolac injection has experienced intermittent shortages since 2020. When supply is constrained:

• Check Medfinder for Providers to locate pharmacies with current stock
• Have therapeutic alternatives ready to prescribe
• Communicate proactively with patients about availability

For a complete provider guide on navigating supply issues, see our article on helping patients find Ketorolac in stock.

Educating Your Team

• Brief your MAs and front desk staff on discount card programs so they can assist patients directly
• Include cost resources in patient discharge or after-visit instructions
• Create a quick-reference sheet for common drug discount programs (GoodRx, SingleCare, NeedyMeds)

Final Thoughts

Ketorolac presents an unusual cost landscape: the generic oral and injectable forms are among the most affordable prescription analgesics available, while the brand nasal spray (Sprix) carries a price tag that can shock patients. By understanding this spectrum, guiding patients toward appropriate savings programs, and building cost awareness into your prescribing workflow, you can help ensure that cost never becomes the reason a patient doesn't get the pain relief they need.

For more provider resources, visit Medfinder for Providers.