Romilac

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

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 Romilac

Romilac is a potent, prescription-only pharmaceutical product whose active substance is the non-opioid pain reliever, Ketorolac Tromethamine. It is chemically categorized within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) pharmacological class.

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Ketorolac Tromethamine
Form Tablets, injection (solution), ophthalmic solution
Pharmacological class Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
General purpose Short-term relief of acute, moderately severe pain
Origin Synthetic compound (pyrrolo-pyrrole derivative)

What Type of Medicine is Romilac?

Romilac is a synthetic compound derived as a pyrrolo-pyrrole agent, which places it within the broader NSAID category. Ketorolac is clinically recognized for managing moderate-to-severe acute pain and has demonstrated similar efficacy to standard doses of morphine, positioning it as an opioid-sparing agent. This indicates the medicine’s strong pain-relieving capacity through a non-narcotic pathway. Because of its established potency, Romilac is consistently classified as a prescription-only medicine, emphasizing that its use requires medical guidance. Its strength differentiates it from weaker, over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen, focusing its therapeutic role on post-operative or acute trauma-related discomfort.


Romilac: Composition and Available Forms

The composition of Romilac features Ketorolac Tromethamine as the single active ingredient. This single-ingredient product is manufactured in several distinct dosage forms to accommodate various patient needs and clinical settings. The compound is available as an oral tablet, injectable, and ophthalmic solution. This range of available forms demonstrates the drug’s versatility in being administered via oral, parenteral (injection), and topical routes. The injectable solution, in particular, highlights its primary differentiation: the ability to provide rapid, systemic relief when immediate action is needed for acute pain.


General Purpose of Romilac (High-Level Benefit)

The overarching general purpose of Romilac is to provide rapid and effective relief from acute, significant pain. This function is achieved by offering a dual-acting therapeutic effect: it primarily addresses pain severity while simultaneously possessing significant anti-inflammatory properties. Its mechanism is rooted in blocking the body's production of key chemicals that cause pain and swelling, making it a valuable non-narcotic option for acute pain management.

Regulatory References

  1. Ketorolac - StatPearls

What side effects are possible with Romilac?

Romilac, which contains ketorolac tromethamine, is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) used for the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain. As with all NSAIDs, it carries risks that require careful patient monitoring.

Serious Warnings and Precautions

Romilac can cause serious cardiovascular events, including an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, especially with higher doses or long-term use. It is also associated with potentially fatal gastrointestinal side effects, such as ulcers, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach or intestines. These events can occur without warning symptoms.

Treatment with Romilac should be limited to no more than five days to minimize the risk of serious complications. It is contraindicated in patients with a history of peptic ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, advanced renal impairment, and those undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Common Side Effects

The most frequently observed adverse reactions, occurring in more than 10% of patients, are typically related to the gastrointestinal or nervous system. These often include:

  • Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia (indigestion), and abdominal pain.
  • Nervous System: Headache, dizziness, and somnolence (drowsiness).

Other Important Safety Information

Romilac can affect platelet function and increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is also advised in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function, heart failure, and those taking medications like anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), aspirin, other NSAIDs, or diuretics, as these may increase the risk of adverse effects. Patients should be alert for signs of bleeding (e.g., black or tarry stools, unusual bruising) or allergic reactions (e.g., rash, swelling of the face/throat) and seek medical attention immediately if they occur.

Overdose and Emergency Response

An overdose of Romilac, which contains the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) ketorolac tromethamine, requires immediate medical attention. While single overdoses are often limited to mild symptoms that resolve with supportive care, a large ingestion can lead to serious, life-threatening complications. There is no specific antidote for ketorolac overdose.

Symptoms of Romilac Overdose

Symptoms following an acute overdose are typically centered on the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Common signs may include:

  • Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric (upper stomach) pain, and potentially gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., bloody or black, tarry stools).
  • Nervous System: Drowsiness, lethargy, and headache. In rare, severe cases, more significant effects like respiratory depression, seizures, or coma may occur.
  • Other Potential Effects: Acute kidney dysfunction, and hypertension (high blood pressure) have been reported.

When to Seek Help

Call emergency medical services immediately if a Romilac overdose is suspected, or if the individual exhibits any of the severe signs listed below:

Severity Action Key Symptoms
Emergency Call 911 (or local equivalent) Difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness/unresponsiveness, seizures, bloody vomit, or severe chest/abdominal pain.
Urgent Contact a poison control center and a healthcare provider Vomiting, persistent drowsiness/lethargy, or unexplained swelling.

Inform the medical staff of the exact amount of Romilac taken and the time of ingestion.

Therapeutic Uses of Romilac

What Romilac Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Romilac is generally considered relevant for use in situations marked by increased discomfort and is reserved for providing symptomatic relief in acute, significant discomfort. The medication is commonly used to help with groups of symptoms that may appear suddenly in contexts like the short-term postoperative period and following trauma. It is also applicable in specific episodic conditions characterized by intense pain, such as renal colic and severe menstrual pain.

“This type of additional symptomatic support is generally applied when symptoms create noticeable physiological strain, may assist with managing physical discomfort.”

This additional symptomatic support is utilized in clinical settings marked by heightened patient distress, providing supportive relief for heightened symptoms. It may also be relevant for managing ocular inflammation and discomfort after certain eye surgeries. Romilac contributes to easing the overall symptom load during periods of heightened symptoms, and may help patients cope more steadily with difficult episodes.


Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Pain
Symptom Severity Moderately severe discomfort requiring additional, short-term symptomatic support.
Primary Context Postoperative care, emergency room acute pain management.
Patient Benefit Provides supportive relief which may assist with maintaining comfort during symptomatic periods.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Romilac is restricted to short-term use, approved only for adults 17 years and older for a maximum of five days total duration. Use is formally contraindicated across numerous patient populations.

These absolute prohibitions include individuals with a history of Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or active peptic ulcer disease, advanced renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/ min), and those with cerebrovascular bleeding. The medicine is also prohibited for patients with a known allergy to aspirin or other NSAIDs, in the setting of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery, or when concurrently taking another NSAID.

The systemic forms are not established or recommended for pediatric patients under 17 years. Older adults (65 years and older) are eligible but are classified for cautious use and often require reduced limits. Romilac is contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy and in nursing mothers, as officially stated by regulatory authorities. This profile establishes stringent exclusions for patient eligibility.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Romilac, as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has documented interactions with several categories of medicinal products, primarily due to its effects on prostaglandin synthesis, which can influence hemostasis and kidney function.

Do not combine Romilac with other NSAIDs, including aspirin, as this combination significantly increases the risk of serious side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration.

Documented Interactions

Interacting Product Category Effect of the Interaction Clinical Context
Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin) Increased risk of bleeding Romilac can enhance the effect of these blood-thinning medicines.
Anti-hypertensive agents (e.g., Beta Blockers, ACE Inhibitors) Reduced efficacy of the anti-hypertensive agent Romilac may decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effect and increase the risk of kidney impairment (with ACE Inhibitors).
Diuretics Reduced diuretic and natriuretic effect Romilac can inhibit the action of these medicines, potentially leading to fluid retention.
Methotrexate Increased toxicity of Methotrexate Romilac can reduce the renal clearance of Methotrexate, leading to higher levels of the drug in the body.

If transitioning from injectable Romilac to oral Romilac, the combined total daily dose across both forms must be carefully monitored and must not exceed the maximum prescribed daily limit. Consult a healthcare provider before combining Romilac with any other prescription or non-prescription medicine to manage the risks associated with these known interactions.

Mechanism of Action

Romilac (Ketorolac Tromethamine) operates by intervening directly in the chemical cascades responsible for nociceptive and inflammatory signaling. Its mechanism is rooted in non-selective enzyme inhibition, which results in a significant modulation of prostanoid-mediated physiological activity.


Non-Selective Inhibition of the COX Enzyme System

This domain covers the drug's primary action: the direct, non-selective, competitive inhibition of both the Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes. This interaction suppresses the initial step in the Arachidonic Acid Cascade, thereby restricting the body's ability to synthesize key inflammatory and nociceptive mediators.


⬇️ Suppression of Prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) Synthesis

This core pathway modulation is the direct consequence of enzyme inhibition, resulting in the suppression of PGE2 synthesis. By restricting PGE2 availability, the mechanism alters the signaling dynamics in neural pathways, reducing the sensitization of nociceptors (pain-sensing neurons).


Modulation of Nociceptive and Inflammatory Pathways

The reduced PGE2 synthesis modulates a physiological effect: the reduced excitability of nociceptive neurons in both peripheral and central pathways. This mechanism modulates the signaling within the nociceptive transmission system and simultaneously restricts the consequence of elevated chemical mediator activity on the inflammatory response.

Dosage and Administration Information

Romilac (Ketorolac Tromethamine) administration is defined by its role as a short-term, potent therapeutic agent, necessitating strict adherence to regulatory dosing and duration limits. The medicine can be administered through several approved routes, including Intramuscular (IM) injection, Intravenous (IV) bolus injection, and the Oral (PO) tablet form. Systemic use across all these routes is strictly limited to a maximum combined duration of 5 days in adults.

Therapy must be initiated with a parenteral route (IM or IV), with the oral 10 mg tablet reserved exclusively for continuation therapy following the initial injection phase. Standard adult multiple-dose regimens require 30 mg of the injectable form every 6 hours, not to exceed a 120 mg daily maximum. Oral continuation dosing is typically 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum limit of 40 mg per day.

Specific administration protocols dictate that an IV bolus must be administered over no less than 15 seconds. The oral tablet may be taken with food or an antacid, accompanied by a full glass of water. Furthermore, population-specific dose adjustments are mandatory for certain groups. Patients 65 years or older, or those weighing less than 50 kg, are subject to a substantially reduced daily maximum parenteral dose, which must not exceed 60 mg. This protocol structures the medicine’s use as a highly regulated, brief intervention.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Romilac

Evidence for Short-Term Management of Moderately Severe Acute Pain

The research for Romilac (Ketorolac Tromethamine) was studied for short-term symptom patterns through numerous Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses. These high-quality studies were evaluated in adults experiencing moderately severe pain, such as that following major surgery. Research examined outcomes related to physical discomfort using standardized rating scales and monitored the need for patients to receive additional pain medication, particularly opioids.

Studies monitored patterns in the use of supplementary opioid medication in the group receiving Romilac and in comparator groups. Research also monitored patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort in the studies during the short follow-up period. The research provides insight into short-term changes observed in conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes.

Evidence for Specific Acute Pain Conditions (Renal Colic and Episodic Pain)

Romilac was evaluated in research contexts involving conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, such as acute renal colic (pain from kidney stones). These studies were typically Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs), often using the injectable form of the medicine on adults presenting with periods of heightened symptoms in emergency settings. The studies monitored outcomes describing episodic or acute changes, specifically focusing on the time it took for patients to report changes in their pain severity scores and whether they needed a second dose of medication for ongoing discomfort.

Research on Special Populations and Subgroups

Research has explored the use of Romilac in certain specific populations, primarily to understand if existing short-term findings apply across different groups. For instance, studies monitored for any differences in outcomes in older adults (typically ge 65 years) compared to younger adults. Data also show patterns related to outcomes in patients of lower body weight (le 50 kg). Data for certain groups, such as children (under age 16 or 18, depending on the jurisdiction), are limited or not fully established.

What is Still Uncertain About Romilac: Evidence Gaps

A core limitation across the entire evidence base is the strict focus on short-term results, aligning with its indication. Long-term effects are not fully established, and data for duration of effect are insufficient. Furthermore, comparative evidence is lacking in certain critical areas, such as detailed data on outcomes in vulnerable patient groups, including pregnant women or those with high-risk underlying medical conditions. Finally, some findings were mixed across studies, particularly concerning reports related to certain physical measures examined following ophthalmic surgery, where certainty remains low.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Romilac (FAQ)


Q: How does Romilac work to reduce pain and inflammation?

According to official product information, Romilac is classified as a non-selective Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID). Its action involves restricting the body's ability to produce chemical messengers known as prostaglandins. The product's mechanism of action is associated with a reduction in the sensation of pain and the body's inflammatory response.


Q: Can Romilac be combined with ibuprofen or aspirin for extra pain relief?

Official product labeling generally lists this combination as a formal contraindication (prohibited use). Romilac should not be combined with other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, because doing so is associated with a significantly increased risk of serious adverse effects.


Q: Does Romilac interact with alcohol or affect the ability to drive?

Official warnings state that using this medicine with alcohol can increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal side effects, such as bleeding and ulcers. Furthermore, official information indicates that common side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness, may impair the ability to drive or operate machinery.


Q: How many milligrams (mg) are in the oral tablet, and what is the maximum daily oral dose?

The oral form of Romilac is available as a 10 mg tablet, which is indicated for continuation therapy following an injectable dose. Official dosing guidance for the oral tablet states that the total maximum amount taken per day should not exceed 40 mg.


Q: What is the typical adult starting dose for the injection, and how often is it given?

While specific starting doses are determined by a prescriber, the official monograph outlines the maximum limits. For adults, the total maximum daily injectable dose should not exceed 120 mg. Patients who are 65 years or older or who weigh less than 50 kg are subject to a substantially reduced daily maximum limit.


Q: If I miss a dose of Romilac, what should I do?

Official patient information often describes a general approach for a missed dose: if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the regulatory instruction is to generally skip the missed dose and continue with the next one. Patients should avoid taking two doses together to make up for the one that was missed.


Q: What should I do if I think I've taken too much Romilac (an overdose)?

If there is any suspicion of an overdose, official guidance is to seek medical attention right away. Overdose symptoms described in product information may include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, or pain in the upper stomach area. Management generally involves supportive care.

How should Romilac be stored and disposed of?

Official Storage and Disposal Requirements

Romilac (Ketorolac Tromethamine) must be stored and handled according to specific conditions mandated by regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA to ensure product stability.

Requirement Official Instruction
Temperature Store at Controlled Room Temperature (20 C to 25 C) to avoid freezing or excessive heat.
Handling/Container Tablets must be kept in a tight, light-resistant container. The injection solution is for single use only and must be protected from light.
Child Safety Mandatory instruction: Keep out of the reach of children at all times.
Disposal Unused or expired medication must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. Do not flush or allow the product to enter sewers or surface water.

These official statements define the necessary environment—specifically temperature and light protection—and the need to discard unused portions of the single-use injection to maintain pharmaceutical integrity.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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