Ketorolac-induced acute renal failure and hyperkalemia: report of three cases

Ketorolac tromethamine (Toradol, Syntex Laboratories Inc, Palo Alto, CA) is a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used in emergency departments and during the postoperative period because of its potent analgesic effects and lack of central nervous system activities. We present three new cases of acute renal failure and hyperkalemia secondary to ketorolac. All patients had at least one risk factor making them prone to the development of acute renal failure secondary to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In all patients, acute renal failure developed after a moderate dose of ketorolac was administered for the management of postsurgical pain. Acute renal failure and hyperkalemia were transient, and improved after discontinuation of ketorolac treatment.