"Ketorol" is a fairly powerful analgesic non-narcotic drug, characterized by a good antipyretic effect and anti-inflammatory activity. But its main effect is anesthesia (an analgesic property). Due to this, the drug is ideally suited for the relief of severe and moderate pain syndrome, mainly associated with traumatic tissue damage.
Release Forms
Currently, the drug "Ketorol" is available in three dosage forms:
- In the form of a gel for external use.
- Pills for internal use.
- A solution intended for intramuscular and intravenous administration.
The composition of the drug
The active ingredient in the drug in question is represented by a substance called trometamine ketorolac. Microcrystalline cellulose along with lactose, corn starch, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate and sodium carboxymethyl starch serve as auxiliary ingredients in the Ketorol preparation.
Drug group
Let’s find out which group Ketorol belongs to. The medicine has a strong analgesic effect, and at the same time a relatively weak antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. In this regard, this drug belongs to the group of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs (that is, NSAIDs), which have three properties (antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory) to varying degrees. The drug has the most pronounced analgesic properties.
The mechanism of action of the drug "Ketorol" is directly related to its ability to block the work of a special enzyme called cyclooxygenase. With this enzyme, arachidonic acid is converted into prostaglandins, which are special substances that cause the development of inflammatory reactions, fever and pain.
Thus, the drug “Ketorol” blocks the work of cyclooxygenase, stops the production of prostaglandins, due to which the processes of the formation of inflammatory reactions and pains, as well as an increase in temperature, stop. True, he has an overly powerful analgesic effect, which is why the medicine literally overshadows the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. In this connection, this drug from the NSAID group is used precisely as an anesthetic.
Indications for the use of the drug "Ketorol"
The purpose for use in the solution and tablets is the same, and the choice of the dosage format that is optimal in a particular case, as a rule, is based on the general condition of the patient, the required speed of effect and the actual capabilities of the hospital. For example, if there is a need for an instant analgesic effect, it is recommended to use a solution. In other situations, preference is given to tablets.
The use of the drug “Ketorol” in the form of a solution is also advisable in cases where, for certain reasons, the patient will not be able to take regular pills inside (for example, against the background of a vomiting reflex, stomach or intestinal ulcer, and so on). So, the indication for treatment with tablets and injections is the need to eliminate the pain syndrome of various localization, and at the same time the severity. This means that tablets or injections are suitable for the elimination of headache, toothache, muscle, menstrual, bone, joint, pain, as well as after operations, with cancer and the like.
You should be aware that Ketorol is a strong drug, it is intended only for the relief of acute pain, but not for the treatment of a chronic condition. Indications for use of the gel are the following factors:
- Getting injured (bruise, soft tissue inflammation, damage to ligaments, bursitis, tendonitis, synovitis, etc.).
- With osteoarthritis, discomfort in the muscles and joints.
- Against the background of neuralgia, radiculitis and rheumatic diseases (with gout, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis).
The list of indications of the drug "Ketorol" is quite extensive. In the framework of using any of the forms of the drug, it must be remembered that it only stops the pain, but does not eliminate its root cause and does not cure the disease that caused such an unpleasant symptom.
Contraindications to the use of this tool
The drug "Ketorol" is not used if the patient has a history of an aspirin triad along with bronchial spasms, intolerance to the main substance of the drug and other anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs. In addition, this medication should not be used for angioedema, hypovolemia, erosive ulcerative lesions of the digestive organs at the acute stage.
It is not suitable for hypocoagulation, hemophilia, peptic ulcer, dehydration, hemorrhagic stroke, kidney and liver failure, hematopoiesis, high risk of bleeding and hemorrhagic diathesis. In addition, the medication is not prescribed during periods of lactation, pregnancy, and also if the patient is less than sixteen years old.
Instructions for use of tablets
As indicated by the instructions for use of the drug "Ketorol", the pills must be swallowed whole. It is strictly forbidden to chew and grind tablets in any other ways. The medicine is washed down with a small amount of ordinary water. You can drink pills regardless of food intake, however, it should be borne in mind that the “Ketorol” taken after the products will be absorbed more slowly than before meals, which, of course, will somewhat extend the period of onset of the required analgesic effect.
According to the instructions for the drug "Ketorol", it is recommended that tablets be taken occasionally if necessary to overcome severe or moderate pain. The dosage in a single dose, as a rule, is 10 milligrams (this is one tablet), and the maximum allowable daily dose is 40 milligrams (that is, four pills).
Thus, within one day you can take a maximum of four tablets of the drug. This means that one pill will be enough for a person to eliminate the pain for several hours, after which it returns again, and then you need to take a second, and so on. To eliminate the symptom without consulting a doctor, you can use Ketorol in tablets for a maximum of five days.
In the event that a person switches to pills with injections, then the daily total dosage cannot exceed 90 milligrams for patients who are under sixty-five years old and 60 for those older than this age. Moreover, in the indicated dosages, the maximum allowed number of tablets is 30 milligrams (three tablets).
Ketorol injections: instructions
The solution intended for injection is packed in special ampoules, while it is completely ready for use. It is inserted deep into the muscle (it is worth noting that this is done in the upper outer third of the thigh, shoulder and other areas). As a rule, in these areas the muscles come close to the skin, and the required amount of medication is first drawn into the syringe from the ampoule. You can not enter the solution epidurally or inside the spinal membrane. To use it intramuscularly, it is required to use disposable syringes of small volume, for example, 0.5 or 1 milliliter.
The syringe, as well as the needle to it, must be removed from the packaging immediately before the injection, and not in advance. For an injection, you should open the ampoule, draw the required amount of solution with a syringe and take it out, and then raise the needle up. Then fingers tap on the surface of the instrument towards the needle from the piston so that the air bubbles come off the walls and rise. Then, in order to remove air, it is required to press lightly on the piston so that a drop forms at the end of the needle.
After this procedure, the syringe is laid aside and the injection site is treated with an antiseptic. A needle (the entire length) is completely inserted into the selected area perpendicular to the skin, after which the physician presses the piston, carefully and slowly introducing the solution. After the injection, the needle is removed from the tissue and discarded, and the injection site is wiped with an antiseptic.
Dosage according to age
A single volume of the drug for people under the age of sixty-five is from 10 to 30 milligrams and is selected strictly individually. At the same time, they begin with a minimum dose and are based on the patient's response and the effectiveness of eliminating the pain syndrome. You can re-enter the medicine every four to six hours in the event that the pain returns again. The maximum permitted daily allowance is three ampoules (90 milligrams).
For people over sixty-five, as well as those whose body weight is less than 50 kilograms and who suffer from kidney diseases, a single volume of the drug is 15 milligrams, which can also be injected every six hours when the pain returns. The duration of continuous therapy without consulting a doctor should not exceed five days. In this case, the maximum allowed daily allowance is two ampoules (60 milligrams). This is confirmed by the instructions for the drug "Ketorol."
Gel
The gel should be applied to the skin with clean, previously washed hands with soap. Avoid applying the medicine to areas with injuries, such as abrasions, scratches, burns, and so on. You also need to avoid and observe the prevention of accidental contact with the gel in the eyes and on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and other organs. After the treatment of the cover, wash your hands and wipe them dry.
After squeezing the required amount of medicine, close the tube tightly. Before applying the product, it is important to wash the estimated area of the skin on which Ketorol will be distributed with soap and warm water. Then the surface is dried with a towel, after that one or two centimeters of gel is squeezed out of the tube and distributed with a thin layer over the entire area in which the pain is felt.
In the event that the area of the treated area is large, then the amount of funds can be increased. It must be rubbed with massaging movements in order to be completely absorbed. A breathable bandage (for example, a gauze made from a regular bandage) should be applied over the treated area or not covered with anything.
Do not apply airtight dressings to the area treated with Ketorol. The gel can be applied to the skin four times a day. You can not use it more often, and between the procedures for applying the drug, you must wait an interval of at least four hours. Without consulting a doctor, such a gel can be used for a maximum of ten days in a row.
Side effects
The considered tool, unfortunately, is not safe and can provoke quite a lot of unpleasant negative reactions in patients from the work of the systems of the whole organism. For example, in people taking this medication, heartburn is often fixed along with nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and pain in the stomach are possible. Thus, like other NSAIDs, the drug in question is primarily detrimental to the digestive system.
The nervous system can also respond with some changes in the form of, for example, dizziness. Among other things, fluid retention in the body is not excluded, along with hematuria (blood in the urine), allergic reactions, thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelets), leukopenia (decrease in white blood cells), anemia and prolonged bleeding time. Next, let's talk about what medical means today can replace Ketorol if necessary.
Analogs of this drug
Next, let's talk about what are similar drugs. Ketorol currently (pills, gel and solution) has synonyms and analogues in the pharmaceutical market. Synonyms of the drug include drugs that also contain ketorolac as the active ingredient. Analogues are other drugs from the NSAID group, which contain alternative active substances, but have the most similar therapeutic effect. So, the synonyms of solution and pills in this case are the medicines Adolor, Dolak, Dolomin, Ketalgin, Ketanov and Ketokam.
To date, the only drug for Ketorol in the form of a gel is only one medicine - this is a drug called Ketonal. Analogues of the gel are medicines like Voltaren, Emulgel, Diklak, Diklobene, Ibalgin, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Nise, Nimulida, Fastum and Flexen.
Analogues of the solution and tablets are preparations in the form of “Arrotech”, “Asinak”, “Biorana”, “Diklak”, “Diklovita” and others. Before replacing the Ketorol medicine with any of its analogues or synonyms, it is necessary to consult with your doctor.
What painkillers are more effective than Ketorol?
In answer to this question, it should be said that at present, of the non-narcotic analgesics, it is the effect of the Ketorol drug that is considered the most powerful. In this regard, it can only be more effective narcotic analgesics and other drugs that are able to purposefully act on the nervous system and are dispensed strictly according to prescriptions. Now we find out that on the Internet consumers talk about the effectiveness of this pharmaceutical product.
Reviews about this medication
In general, the vast majority of comments on a pharmaceutical such as Ketorol are positive, due to its high effectiveness in controlling pain. In their reviews, people emphasize that this medication helps to eliminate pain discomfort of various intensities and regardless of origin. And he does it in a short time.
People say that they most often use this tool to get rid of toothache and headache, backache, soft tissue injuries, and, in addition, in case of discomfort in the lower abdomen.
As noted, in all of the above cases, this drug was effective. Negative comments about Ketorol are associated with the development of certain adverse reactions that may be difficult for patients to tolerate. But even in such negative reviews, consumers nevertheless indicate that this medicine really works, although at times the side effects are excessively severe and unpleasant.