Clinical implications of ketorolac for postoperative analgesia

Ketorolac is the only nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in widespread clinical use that is available in an injectable form. Though similar to aspirin and ibuprofen, it is much more potent. In fact, it is potent enough to be useful for postsurgical pain either alone or in combination with other pain relief strategies. For many types of pain, ketorolac is comparable in potency with opioids though the mechanism by which it relieves pain is significantly different. Ketorolac has a much longer duration than morphine or meperidine but has a slower onset. Though we sometimes perceive NSAIDs as almost harmless, ketorolac is a potent drug and, like other potent drugs, has the potential to produce potent adverse effects including organ disfunction and allergic reaction. Risk factors for these adverse effects are well understood, allowing the clinician to plan the ketorolac use safely. Well planned patient selection and ketorolac administration can improve patient care by reducing opioid side effects and improving analgesia while speeding patient recovery and PACU discharge times.