Psychomotor effects of ketorolac in comparison with buprenorphine and diclofenac

1. Ketorolac is an investigational non-opioid analgesic. Buprenorphine, an opioid compound and diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, are analgesics used in clinical practise. 2. The psychomotor effects of ketorolac (30 mg), buprenorphine (0.3 mg), diclofenac (50 mg) and placebo all administered i.m., were examined in 12 healthy male volunteers (age 19-38 years), up to 8 h post-dose. 3. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was measured up to 24 h post-dose, providing an indication of local tissue damage following injection. 4. Buprenorphine caused significant psychomotor impairment in seven out of eight psychomotor tests. The effects consistently peaked 4 h post-dose and were still apparent in many cases 8 h post-dose. These psychomotor effects were supported by marked symptoms in all volunteers. 5. Ketorolac and diclofenac had no clinically significant effects on psychomotor tests and only minimal symptoms were reported. 6. Diclofenac caused a marked increased in CPK (mean Cmax 298 iu l-1) compared with ketorolac (mean Cmax 70 iu l-1) and buprenorphine (mean Cmax 68 iu l-1). 7. These results suggest that ketorolac and diclofenac are suitable for administration following day case surgery.