Comprehensive medication guide to Ketorolac including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay for generic tablets or injection; Sprix nasal spray may require prior authorization.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$10–$25 for generic oral tablets (20 ct); injection $5–$30 per vial; as low as $10 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Ketorolac (brand names Toradol, Sprix, Acular) is a powerful nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain that requires opioid-level analgesia. It is available as oral tablets, injectable solution, nasal spray, and ophthalmic drops.
Ketorolac is unique among NSAIDs because of its strong analgesic (pain-relieving) potency — it is often used in emergency departments and post-surgical settings as a non-opioid alternative for acute pain. The ophthalmic formulations (Acular, Acular LS) are used to reduce eye inflammation after cataract surgery and treat seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
Important: Ketorolac is intended for short-term use only — the total duration across all formulations must not exceed 5 days due to the risk of serious side effects.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Ketorolac works by inhibiting both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandins — chemicals that promote pain, inflammation, and fever. By blocking prostaglandin production, Ketorolac effectively reduces pain and inflammation.
Ketorolac is a non-selective COX inhibitor with significantly higher analgesic potency than most other NSAIDs like Ibuprofen or Naproxen, making it especially effective for acute moderate-to-severe pain in short-term settings.
Oral tablets
10 mg
Intramuscular injection — injection
60 mg/2 mL
Intravenous injection — injection
15 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL
Nasal spray (Sprix) — spray
15.75 mg per spray
Ophthalmic solution (Acular) — ophthalmic
0.5%
Ophthalmic solution (Acular LS) — ophthalmic
0.4%
Ketorolac oral tablets are generally available at most pharmacies without difficulty. However, Ketorolac injection has experienced intermittent shortages since 2020 due to manufacturer production issues and demand surges. As of early 2026, supply has improved with multiple manufacturers (Hospira/Pfizer, Fresenius Kabi, Hikma, Athenex) back in production, but some injectable formulations may still see periodic limited availability. The brand-name nasal spray Sprix can be harder to find and significantly more expensive. If you're having trouble finding Ketorolac, Medfinder can help you locate pharmacies with it in stock near you.
Ketorolac is most commonly prescribed by:
Since Ketorolac is not a controlled substance, any licensed prescriber (MD, DO, NP, PA) can prescribe it. It is commonly administered in hospitals and clinics via injection, with oral tablets given as follow-up only.
No, Ketorolac is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA. Despite its potent analgesic effects comparable to some opioids, Ketorolac does not carry a risk of addiction or dependence. This makes it an important non-opioid option for managing acute pain, especially in patients with opioid use disorder or those at risk for opioid dependence.
Like all NSAIDs, Ketorolac can cause side effects. Common side effects include:
Serious side effects (seek medical attention immediately):
Important: Ketorolac carries a boxed warning about cardiovascular and GI risks. Total use must not exceed 5 days across all formulations.
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Ibuprofen
Available OTC and by prescription; less potent but safer for longer-term use; available in oral and IV (Caldolor) forms
Diclofenac
Prescription NSAID available in oral, topical, and injectable (Dyloject) forms with similar anti-inflammatory potency
Naproxen
OTC/prescription NSAID with a longer half-life allowing twice-daily dosing; commonly used for acute and chronic pain
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
A COX-2 selective NSAID with lower GI bleeding risk; prescription only; a good alternative for patients at high GI risk
Prefer Ketorolac? We can find it.
Other NSAIDs or Aspirin
moderateContraindicated; increases risk of GI bleeding
Anticoagulants (Warfarin, Heparin)
moderateSignificantly increased bleeding risk
Lithium
moderateKetorolac can increase lithium blood levels to toxic ranges
Methotrexate
moderateIncreased methotrexate toxicity
ACE Inhibitors and ARBs
moderateReduced blood pressure control and increased kidney risk
Diuretics
moderateReduced diuretic effect and increased kidney risk
Probenecid
moderateContraindicated; increases Ketorolac levels
Pentoxifylline
moderateContraindicated; increased bleeding risk
SSRIs and SNRIs
moderateIncreased bleeding risk
Cyclosporine
moderateIncreased risk of kidney damage
Corticosteroids
moderateIncreased GI bleeding risk
Ketorolac remains one of the most effective non-opioid options for short-term management of moderate-to-severe acute pain. While generic oral tablets are widely available and affordable ($10–$25 without insurance), the injectable form has experienced intermittent supply issues. If you're struggling to find Ketorolac in stock at your local pharmacy, Medfinder can help you locate nearby pharmacies with availability.
Remember that Ketorolac is intended for short-term use only (5 days maximum) and carries important safety warnings. Always follow your doctor's instructions and report any concerning side effects promptly.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini