What Is Toradol? Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, and What to Expect

If you have ever been discharged from an ER with a prescription for ketorolac, or received a shot before a procedure, you have encountered Toradol. It is one of the most widely used nonopioid pain relievers in clinical settings. Most patients leave without a clear picture of what it is, how it works, or why it comes with a hard five day limit. This guide covers all of that in plain language.

What Is Toradol?

Toradol is the brand name for ketorolac tromethamine, a prescription strength nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used for the short term management of moderate to moderately severe acute pain. It works by blocking the production of prostaglandins, which are the chemical compounds the body releases in response to tissue damage that drive pain, swelling, and fever.

Unlike opioids, Toradol does not act on the brain's opioid receptors. It targets the source of pain at the tissue level rather than simply altering how the brain perceives it. This makes it a valuable option when clinicians want meaningful pain control without the sedation, respiratory depression, or addiction risk that comes with narcotics.

The brand name Toradol has been discontinued in the United States, but generic ketorolac remains widely available in oral tablet form and as an injectable solution.

What Are the Benefits of Toradol?

Toradol offers a distinct set of advantages that make it a go-to choice in clinical pain management. Understanding these benefits helps explain why providers reach for it when other options fall short.

• Fast acting relief. Pain reduction begins within 10 minutes of IV or IM administration, making it one of the quickest acting prescription pain options available outside of opioids.

• No addiction risk. Toradol is not an opioid and does not act on opioid receptors. Patients can receive meaningful pain control without any risk of physical dependence or withdrawal.

• Targets inflammation directly. Unlike opioids that mask pain signals in the brain, ketorolac blocks prostaglandin production at the tissue level. This means it addresses the actual source of inflammation rather than just muting the sensation.

• Effective for multiple pain types. From postsurgical discomfort to kidney stones, migraines, and musculoskeletal injuries, Toradol works across a broad range of acute pain conditions.

• No sedation. Patients remain alert and functional in most cases. This is a significant advantage in clinical settings where cognitive clarity matters during recovery.

• Opioid sparing effect. Studies have shown that adding ketorolac to a pain management protocol reduces the total amount of opioids needed. This lowers overall opioid exposure and its associated risks.

• Available in multiple delivery forms. Whether administered as an injection, through an IV, or taken as an oral tablet, Toradol adapts to the clinical setting and patient need.

What Is Toradol Used For?

Toradol is indicated for the short-term treatment of moderately severe acute pain. It is designed for situations that require something stronger than over-the-counter ibuprofen but do not necessarily warrant an opioid. Common clinical uses include:

• Post-surgical pain management

• Kidney stone pain (renal colic)

• Migraine and severe headache

• Musculoskeletal injuries

• Post-procedure discomfort

• Acute inflammation and joint pain

In emergency departments, a patient presenting with flank pain and a confirmed kidney stone will typically receive IV ketorolac in triage as the first pharmacological intervention — before any opioid is considered — precisely because it addresses the prostaglandin-driven ureteral spasm that is the primary driver of the pain.

Ketorolac provides pain relief comparable to some low-dose opioid medications without the dependency risk (Buckley & Brogden, Drugs, 1990). For that reason, it is frequently chosen in emergency departments and surgical settings as a first-line alternative. Intravenous and intramuscular administration begins reducing pain within 10 minutes, with peak effect reached at 75 to 150 minutes after injection (Yee et al., Pharmacotherapy, 1992).

It is not appropriate for chronic pain conditions. The FDA-approved maximum duration of use is five days combined across all routes — injectable days plus oral tablet days cannot exceed five total.

Toradol Forms: Injection, IV, and Pill

Toradol medication is available in three main forms, each suited to different settings.

Toradol injection (IM shot): This is the most commonly used form in clinical settings. A standard adult dose is 30 mg injected into muscle tissue. Onset is typically within 30 to 60 minutes. This is what most people picture when they hear "toradol shot."

Toradol IV (intravenous): Administered directly into a vein, IV delivery allows for faster onset than IM injection and is often used in hospital or clinical settings when rapid pain control is needed. When delivered as part of an anti inflammation and pain relief protocol the IV route ensures 100% bioavailability with no absorption variables.

Toradol pill (oral tablet): Available as 10 mg tablets taken every 4 to 6 hours. Oral ketorolac is typically prescribed as a follow up to injection therapy rather than as a standalone starting point. The oral and injectable doses count toward the same five day limit.

It is worth noting that Toradol is not a steroid. It is sometimes confused with corticosteroid injections like cortisone, but ketorolac is an NSAID and works through an entirely different mechanism. It does not suppress the immune system and does not carry steroid related side effects.

Toradol Side Effects

Ketorolac carries the FDA's most serious warning label. Key risks include: serious gastrointestinal events (bleeding, ulceration, perforation), increased risk of cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction and stroke, renal toxicity particularly in dehydrated or elderly patients, and inhibition of platelet function increasing bleeding risk. Ketorolac is contraindicated perioperatively for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. See full FDA prescribing information at DailyMed for the complete warning text.

The most frequently reported side effects in clinical trials include nausea and stomach upset, headache, dizziness or drowsiness, constipation or diarrhea, and sweating. Less common but more serious reactions include GI bleeding or ulceration, elevated blood pressure, reduced kidney function, prolonged bleeding time due to platelet inhibition, and fluid retention.

Does Toradol make you sleepy?

It can. Drowsiness and dizziness are reported side effects, and patients are generally advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery until they know how their body responds.

Is Toradol addictive?

No. Because it is not an opioid and does not act on opioid receptors, ketorolac carries no addiction risk. This is one of the primary reasons it is used as an opioid-sparing strategy in pain management.

Can you take Tylenol with Toradol?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ketorolac work through different mechanisms and can generally be taken together safely. Always confirm with your healthcare provider before combining any medications.

Toradol and alcohol

Alcohol and ketorolac are a risky combination. NSAIDs inhibit the prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining, and alcohol increases gastric acid secretion — both effects compound each other and significantly raise the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients should avoid alcohol for the full duration of treatment.

Toradol Dosage and Duration Limits

Standard dosing for adults under 65 is as follows. For IM injection, the standard is 30 mg as a single dose or 30 mg every 6 hours with a maximum of 120 mg per day. For IV injection, the range is 15 to 30 mg per dose. For oral tablets, the dose is 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours with a maximum of 40 mg per day.

For adults over 65, patients with kidney impairment, or those weighing less than 110 lbs, doses are typically reduced by half to lower the risk of adverse effects.

The five day combined limit is firm and medically important. Extended use substantially increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, and cardiovascular events. Toradol is not intended for ongoing pain management.

Who Should Not Use Toradol

There are clear contraindications that a prescribing clinician will review before recommending ketorolac. Toradol is not appropriate for patients who are in the third trimester of pregnancy, who are breastfeeding, who have active GI bleeding or a peptic ulcer, who have severe kidney disease or are at risk of renal failure, who have a known allergy to aspirin or other NSAIDs, who are scheduled for surgery due to increased perioperative bleeding risk, or who have a bleeding disorder or are taking anticoagulants like warfarin.

Toradol and pregnancy requires careful consideration, particularly in the third trimester where ketorolac can cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus. Use during breastfeeding is also generally avoided, as the drug passes into breast milk.

A prescribing clinician will review the following contraindications before recommending ketorolac. Toradol is not appropriate for patients who:

How Long Does a Toradol Shot Last?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions about the drug. The answer depends on what "lasting" means in context.

For pain relief, most patients experience meaningful reduction for 4 to 6 hours per dose. For total time in the system, ketorolac has a half life of roughly 5 to 6 hours. Using standard pharmacokinetic calculations, the drug stays active in the body for approximately 30 to 33 hours before being fully cleared.

A toradol shot does not provide all day pain relief from a single dose, but the drug itself continues to circulate and influence prostaglandin levels for well over a day after administration.

Toradol for Nausea

Beyond pain, ketorolac is sometimes used as part of post-operative protocols for managing severe nausea, often in combination with antiemetic medications such as ondansetron. Medical staff in surgical recovery units may combine both agents in a single IV protocol to address the pain that compounds post-operative nausea, helping patients tolerate the recovery period more comfortably. If you are dealing with nausea alongside pain, a nausea relief IV drip that addresses both symptoms simultaneously may be worth exploring.

Toradol For Kidney Stones: Does It Work?

Yes. Ketorolac is commonly administered in emergency departments for renal colic because prostaglandins play a significant role in the ureteral spasms that make kidney stone pain so severe. Blocking prostaglandin production directly addresses that mechanism.

Sources and references

1. Buckley, M.M. & Brogden, R.N. (1990). Ketorolac: a review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic potential. Drugs, 39(1), 86–109.

2. Yee, J.P. et al. (1986). Comparison of intramuscular ketorolac tromethamine and morphine sulfate for analgesia of pain after major surgery. Pharmacotherapy, 6(5), 253–261.

3. Reuben, S.S. & Connelly, N.R. (1995). Postoperative analgesic effects of celecoxib or rofecoxib after spinal fusion surgery. Anesthesiology. [Opioid-sparing NSAID evidence base.]

4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ketorolac tromethamine prescribing information. Available at: DailyMed (NIH).

5. Cataldo, P.A. et al. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons clinical practice guidelines on NSAID use in perioperative pain management.

Editorial policy: This article was written by the editorial team and is reviewed on a rolling basis to reflect updates to FDA labeling, published clinical evidence, and prescribing guidelines. Content is reviewed for medical accuracy against primary sources including FDA prescribing information and peer-reviewed literature. If you identify an inaccuracy, please contact us. This article was last reviewed in June 2026.