Kelac

Ketorolac

Method of action: Analgesic, Analgetic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antipyretic, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory, Ophthalmologic Agent, Ophthalmologicals

Treatment option: Pain, Toothache, Colic, Surgery

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Kelac

Property	Description
Active ingredient	Ketorolac tromethamine
Form	Tablet, Injection, Ophthalmic Solution
Pharmacological class	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Common use	Relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain
Origin	Synthetic

Kelac: A High-Potency Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)

Kelac is the trade name for a potent medication whose active ingredient is Ketorolac tromethamine, which is formally classified as a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID). Ketorolac is a synthetic chemical entity belonging to the pyrrolo-pyrrole chemical group. This classification designates it as a powerful analgesic agent intended for use when significant pain relief is clinically necessary. The core identity of Kelac is rooted in its high potency, which is recognized for providing effective pain management typically reserved for post-operative recovery or acute injury.

Composition and General Therapeutic Purpose

The fundamental structure of Kelac is that of a single-entity product, containing only Ketorolac tromethamine as the active therapeutic agent. Its general therapeutic purpose is the short-term, effective relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain by disrupting the synthesis of localized pain mediators. Ketorolac acts as a non-selective inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase enzyme system. This mechanism is characterized by a high affinity for blocking the production of chemical messengers that cause pain and inflammation. This action confers its potent analgesic and accompanying anti-inflammatory effects.

Available Pharmaceutical Forms (Oral, Injectable, and Ophthalmic)

Kelac is manufactured in multiple physical preparations, providing diverse routes of administration tailored to the clinical scenario. These include solid oral forms, such as standard tablets and specialized dispersible tablets (DT), alongside sterile parenteral liquid preparations for injection (intramuscular or intravenous use). Furthermore, Ketorolac is prepared as a liquid ophthalmic solution (eye drops), allowing for highly localized topical administration, ensuring its potent effects can be delivered where needed. The availability of injectable and dispersible forms often distinguishes it within the NSAID class, providing options for rapid systemic relief or targeted local action.

What side effects are possible with Kelac?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Ketorolac tromethamine (Kelac) is officially documented as carrying a risk of serious, systemic adverse reactions, which is consistent with its classification as a potent Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID). The safety profile is characterized by risks affecting major organ systems and is highly dependent on the duration and dose of exposure.

Key Adverse Reaction Categories

Adverse reactions are formally classified by frequency and System-Organ Class (SOC) in regulatory documents. Common effects (incidence 1% to 10%) often include general issues such as headache, dizziness, dyspepsia, nausea, and edema.

Serious adverse reactions documented in official labeling primarily involve the Gastrointestinal Disorders and Vascular Disorders SOCs. These serious events include gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding, and perforation, as well as cardiovascular thrombotic events such as myocardial infarction and stroke.

Regulatory Safety Constraints

Regulatory documents emphasize that the risk of serious GI and cardiovascular complications increases with the duration of use and is associated with higher doses. The medication is intended only for short-term management (up to five days total for all routes of administration).

Population-specific safety considerations are noted for older adults, who are officially stated to be at a greater risk for serious gastrointestinal and renal adverse events. Furthermore, the drug is formally contraindicated in patients with advanced renal impairment and during the third trimester of pregnancy due to documented risks.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

An overdose of the active ingredient in Kelac (Ketorolac tromethamine) has been officially associated with a range of acute clinical manifestations. The documented signs primarily involve the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal (GI) system.

Documented Manifestations: Official regulatory documents state that overdose presentations may include GI effects such as epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes gastrointestinal bleeding. CNS effects are also documented, including lethargy, drowsiness, and hyperventilation.

Severe Outcomes and Emergency Action: While initial symptoms are often described as reversible with supportive measures, severe and life-threatening outcomes are officially recognized as potential complications. These rare, serious effects include acute renal failure, respiratory depression, and coma. Due to the risk of such severe manifestations, the regulatory guidance is to seek immediate medical attention for any suspected overdose. The instruction to contact emergency services or a poison control center applies particularly if a patient exhibits severe signs such as trouble breathing or loss of consciousness.

Management and Antidote Status: Management is defined as symptomatic and supportive care. No specific antidotes are known for Ketorolac tromethamine overdose. Furthermore, regulatory sources state that procedures such as hemodialysis are not expected to be useful due to the medication’s high protein binding.

Therapeutic Uses of Kelac

Kelac is a medicine commonly used for short-term symptomatic support in situations involving high-intensity discomfort, generally focusing on relief rather than addressing chronic conditions. Kelac (Ketorolac tromethamine) is intended for the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain that involves heightened physiological stress. It is applied across therapeutic domains marked by the sudden, often overwhelming, expression of pain and associated inflammation.

Key Therapeutic Contexts and Benefits

The medication assists in managing pain related to various acute episodes, including post-surgical pain, discomfort from significant trauma or injury, and severe pain syndromes such as renal colic (kidney stones). It is commonly used when symptoms intensify and short-term symptomatic assistance is needed. The primary benefit is that it contributes to providing symptomatic support, helping to ease the overall symptom load and supporting the patient during difficult episodes.

“The appropriate use of this medication is in clinical settings where pronounced, acute pain requires temporary, yet appropriate, symptomatic relief.”

Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Distress

Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Distress
Kelac is primarily relevant for moderate-to-severe pain that is acute in onset, typically occurring in emergency or postoperative settings. It helps address pain that is difficult to tolerate and creates noticeable functional strain.

Support for Intense Acute Pain

This domain covers symptomatic relief for pain that is difficult to tolerate and acute in onset, such as discomfort from significant injuries, severe headaches like acute migraines, or intense musculoskeletal strain. The therapeutic benefit is that it contributes to providing symptomatic support as a non-opioid analgesic that helps ease the overall burden of symptoms when they become difficult to manage with standard pain relievers.

Post-Surgical and Emergency Pain Management

Kelac is frequently used in clinical settings following surgery or major physical trauma, where localized pain and inflammatory symptoms (swelling and tenderness) are heightened. It is applied when symptoms create noticeable interference with daily function and stability. The key benefit here is that it may assist in symptomatic stabilization when used temporarily, contributing to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms.

Support for High-Intensity Visceral Syndromes

This domain encompasses the use of Kelac for intense, episodic pain syndromes originating from internal processes, such as the acute discomfort of renal colic (kidney stones) or severe pain associated with a sickle cell crisis. It is relevant in clinical settings marked by heightened patient distress, and provides symptomatic support that may assist with maintaining functional stability during difficult episodes.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Kelac?

The eligibility to use Kelac (Ketorolac tromethamine) is strictly controlled by regulatory bodies due to its classification as a potent Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) intended for short-term use. Its use is primarily restricted to adult patients.

Absolute Contraindications (Must Not Use)

Kelac is contraindicated in several specific patient groups as defined in official labeling:

Patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease, recent gastrointestinal bleeding, or perforation.
Individuals with confirmed cerebrovascular bleeding or other hemostatic disorders.
Patients with advanced renal impairment or those at risk of acute kidney failure due to volume depletion.
Those with a known hypersensitivity to Ketorolac or a history of allergic reactions (e.g., asthma, urticaria) after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Use is forbidden during the third trimester of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and while breastfeeding.
Patients in the peri-operative setting of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.
Concomitant use with other NSAIDs or probenecid is prohibited.

Restricted and Age-Based Eligibility

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children under 17 years of age, restricting use to adult populations.
Older Adults (Geriatric): Patients 65 years and older are at increased risk of serious adverse reactions and require the use of the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
Organ Impairment: Patients with mild renal impairment are eligible only with a required dosage reduction and caution. Use is contraindicated in severe hepatic failure.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The interaction profile of Kelac (Ketorolac tromethamine) is formally documented in government regulatory sources, establishing specific prohibitions and clinically significant risks.

Contraindicated Combinations

Co-administration with certain substances is officially prohibited due to the risk of serious adverse effects:

Interacting Substance	Regulatory Basis for Prohibition
Aspirin or other NSAIDs	Cumulative risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration.
Probenecid	Significantly increases Kelac plasma levels by decreasing its clearance.
Pentoxifylline	Increased risk of systemic hemorrhage (bleeding).

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Interactions

Official labels detail interactions that modify drug exposure or carry additive risks:

Exposure Modification: Kelac may increase the plasma levels of Lithium and Methotrexate by interfering with their renal elimination, leading to a risk of toxicity. Conversely, administration after a high-fat meal may decrease the peak concentration and delay the time-to-peak of oral Kelac.
Bleeding Risk: Co-administration with Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin) or Anti-platelet agents increases the pharmacodynamic risk of serious bleeding. This risk is also elevated with the co-ingestion of alcohol (Ethanol).
Renal Function: Concomitant use with ACE Inhibitors or ARBs is associated with a risk of deterioration of renal function, particularly in elderly or volume-depleted patients. Additionally, the natriuretic effect of Diuretics may be reduced.

Mechanism of Action

Ketorolac tromethamine (Kelac) exerts its action by modulating the molecular machinery of the eicosanoid pathway. Its fundamental mechanism is the non-selective inhibition of the Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme system, targeting both COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms. By blocking these enzymes, the drug prevents the conversion of Arachidonic Acid into various prostanoids, including Prostaglandins and Thromboxane A2 (TXA2). . The reduction of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis leads to a functional decrease in the sensitivity of peripheral nerve endings and less signal amplification in the central nervous system. This molecular action produces an analgesic physiological consequence. Concurrently, the inhibition of inducible COX-2 restricts localized biological responses such as vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, generating an anti-inflammatory physiological consequence. However, the non-selective mechanism also necessitates the inhibition of constitutive COX-1, leading to a functional impairment of platelet aggregation through the reduction of TXA2 synthesis.

Dosage and Administration Information

How Kelac is Used: Official Administration Guidelines

Kelac (ketorolac tromethamine) is intended exclusively for the short-term management of acute pain, and its administration is governed by a strict protocol. The total combined duration of use for all systemic forms (injection and oral tablets) must not exceed 5 days in adults.

Approved Administration Routes and Sequence

Kelac is available for systemic use via intramuscular (IM) injection, intravenous (IV) bolus, and oral tablets, as well as a local ophthalmic solution for topical application to the eye. The official instructions for systemic treatment mandate a sequential therapy approach: oral tablets are indicated only as continuation therapy following an initial IM or IV dose, and should not be used as the starting therapy.

Standard Dosing and Frequency

Administration Route	Standard Regimen	Maximum Daily Dose	Special Condition
IM/IV Injection	30 mg every 6 hours	120 mg	IV bolus must be given over no less than 15 seconds
Oral Tablet	10 mg every 4 to 6 hours	40 mg	Used only after an initial injection

For multiple-dose parenteral therapy, the standard frequency is every 6 hours, given as needed. The final oral dose is intended to ease the transition away from injectable use.

Population-Specific Reductions

Dosage must be reduced for certain patient groups to ensure adherence to official limits. For patients 65 years of age and older, those with low body weight (< 50 kg), or those with moderately reduced kidney function, the maximum parenteral dose is lowered to 60 mg/day.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Kelac

The body of research for Kelac (ketorolac tromethamine) primarily focuses on its evaluation in contexts of short-term, acute pain, as detailed in numerous governmental and peer-reviewed sources. The evidence is primarily based on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews.

Evidence for Use in Acute Pain After Surgery

Research exploring Kelac in the context of post-surgical pain relies on short-term RCTs and systematic reviews across various surgical types. Studies monitored patient-reported outcomes related to physical discomfort and examined the overall amount of opioid medication requested by patients. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies where the use of Kelac was associated with shifts in the reported requirements for opioid medications in the observed populations. Research provides limited insight into long-term recovery or functional status.

Evidence for Use in High-Intensity Acute Pain Syndromes

Kelac was studied in conditions characterized by acute, high-intensity syndromes, particularly acute renal colic and acute migraine headache. Studies monitored patient-reported outcomes describing episodic or acute changes in pain intensity and the need for rescue analgesia. Studies report how symptoms evolved in the observed populations related to pain intensity. Data for the oral form used for outpatient management of these syndromes remain insufficient.

Evidence in Special Populations and Research Gaps

Research on pediatric acute pain has been explored in RCTs and specialized pharmacokinetic studies. Studies monitored pain using age-appropriate scales. Research describes patterns of drug concentration and clearance observed in children. Data for certain pediatric groups remain insufficient, and clinical uncertainty remains regarding optimal dosing. A central limitation across all research is the specified short-term application. Evidence beyond the short-term study duration is not available, meaning long-term effects are not fully established.

Key Studies & References

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Kelac (FAQ)

Q: Does Kelac have to be refrigerated?

Official product information states that Kelac (ketorolac tromethamine) is not recommended to be refrigerated. The medicine should be stored at controlled room temperature, which is typically between 20^circ and 25 C (68^circ to 77 F). It is important to keep the medicine away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light to maintain its stability.

Q: Is Kelac an opioid or a non-opioid pain reliever?

Kelac is classified as a non-opioid pain reliever. Its active ingredient, ketorolac tromethamine, belongs to the family of medicines known as Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), not narcotics. Official product information describes it as a non-narcotic agent.

Q: Is Kelac safe for children under 17?

The safety and effectiveness of Kelac have not been established for use in children under 17 years of age. For this reason, the official product labeling is limited to the adult patient population.

Q: How long does it take for the oral Kelac tablets to start working?

According to official pharmacokinetic data, the maximum pain-relieving effect of the oral tablets typically occurs about two to three hours after the medicine is taken. The speed of absorption can sometimes be influenced by food.

Q: How does Kelac reduce pain?

Kelac reduces pain and inflammation by blocking the action of certain enzymes in the body. It works by inhibiting the production of natural substances called prostaglandins, which are chemical messengers responsible for causing pain signals and localized swelling.

Q: What happens if I miss a dose of Kelac?

According to official regulatory guidance, if a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, the missed dose should generally be skipped to resume the regular schedule. Official guidance warns against doubling up on doses.

Q: Can Kelac be used for chronic pain, like arthritis?

Official regulatory documents indicate that Kelac is not indicated for the treatment of chronic painful conditions, such as arthritis. This medication is intended exclusively for the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain that typically requires potent pain relief.

Q: What do I do if I overdose on Kelac?

If an overdose is suspected, it is necessary to seek immediate medical assistance. Symptoms of a significant overdose can include severe nausea, stomach pain, drowsiness, or more serious events like acute kidney issues. Prompt medical management is often necessary in cases of overdose.

Q: Is there a difference in strength between the IM and IV injection?

The strength of a single dose is generally the same for both intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) injection. However, official information highlights that the total allowed daily dose for the injectable forms is higher than the maximum daily dose permitted for the oral tablets.

Q: What should I do with my unused Kelac tablets?

Official guidance from government health authorities recommends safely disposing of unused Kelac. The best option is to use a local drug take-back program. If a drug take-back program is not available, FDA guidance suggests mixing the medication with an unappealing substance, sealing the mixture in a bag, and discarding it in the household trash.

How should Kelac be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Kelac (Ketorolac Tromethamine)

Storage and disposal requirements for Kelac are strictly defined by regulatory authorities to ensure product stability and safety. The medication must be kept out of the reach of children and pets at all times.

Storage Conditions

All forms of Ketorolac tromethamine must be stored at Controlled Room Temperature, specifically between 20^circ to 25 C (68^circ to 77 F). Excursions up to 30 C are permitted.

Injection: The solution must be stored in its original container and protected from light to prevent discoloration.
Ophthalmic Solution: Patients must avoid contamination by ensuring the dropper tip does not touch any surface.