What is ketorolac tromethamine?

SPRIX (ketorolac tromethamine) Nasal Spray is a member of the pyrrolo-pyrrole group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, available as a clear, colorless to yellow solution packaged in a glass vial with a snap on spray pump that delivers 15.75 mg ketorolac tromethamine per spray and is intended for intranasal administration. The chemical name is (±)-5-benzoyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizine-1-carboxylic acid, compound with 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (1:1). The molecular weight is 376.41. Its molecular formula is C 19 H 24 N 2 O 6 (C 15 H 13 NO 3 •C 4 H 11 NO 3 ), and it has the following chemical structure. Ketorolac tromethamine is highly water-soluble, allowing its formulation in an aqueous nasal spray product at pH 7.2. The inactive ingredients in SPRIX include: edetate disodium (EDTA), monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection. Chemical Structure

What kind of drug is ketorolac tromethamine?

The FDA classifies ketorolac tromethamine as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that your body uses to make prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling, and fever. Lowering prostaglandins eases pain and inflammation and brings down a high temperature. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take ketorolac tromethamine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run ketorolac tromethamine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is ketorolac tromethamine sold under?

We track 6 ketorolac tromethamine-containing products in the U.S.: Acular, Acular Ls, Acular Preservative Free, Ketorolac Tromethamine, Sprix and Toradol. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does ketorolac tromethamine come in?

Across the brands we track, ketorolac tromethamine is currently marketed as drops, injectable, solution, tablet and spray/inhaler, metered, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic ketorolac tromethamine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic ketorolac tromethamine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has ketorolac tromethamine been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 4 recall records whose product description mentions ketorolac tromethamine. The most recent: R.E.C.K. (Ropivacaine HCl (Oct 10, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Ketorolac Tromethamine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Ketorolac Tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sold in the U.S. under 6 brand and generic names, for allergic conjunctivitis, inflammation and pain. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Treats: Allergic Conjunctivitis, Inflammation and Pain
Available as: Drops · Injectable · Solution · Tablet · Spray/Inhaler, metered
Sold as: 6 products — Acular, Acular Ls and Acular Preservative Free, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How ketorolac tromethamine is dosed

From the FDA label for Sprix (application NDA022382). Other ketorolac tromethamine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Use the lowest effective dosage for shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. ( 2.1 ) SPRIX is not an inhaled product. For adult patients < 65 years of age: 31.5 mg (one 15.75 mg spray in each nostril) every 6 to 8 hours. The maximum daily dose is 126 mg. ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) For patients ≥ 65 years of age, renally impaired patients, and patients less than 50 kg (110 lbs): 15.75 mg (one 15.75 mg spray in only one nostril) every 6 to 8 hours. The maximum daily dose is 63 mg. ( 2.4 ) SPRIX nasal spray should be discarded within 24 hours of taking the first dose, even if the bottle still contains some medication. ( 2.5 ) 2.1 General Dosing Instructions Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 ) ]. The total duration of use of SPRIX alone or sequentially with other formulations of ketorolac (IM/IV or oral) must not exceed 5 days because of the potential for increasing the frequency and severity of adverse reactions associated with the recommended doses [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.15 ) ]. Do not use SPRIX concomitantly with other formulations of ketorolac or other NSAIDs [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.15 ) ]. 2.2 Administration SPRIX is not an inhaled product. Do not inhale when administering this product. Instruct patients to administer as follows:…

Ketorolac Tromethamine side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] GI Bleeding, Ulceration and Perforation [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] Hepatotoxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ] Hypertension [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) ] Heart Failure and Edema [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ] Renal Toxicity and Hyperkalemia [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) ] Anaphylactic Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ) ] Serious Skin Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) ] Hematologic Toxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 ) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥2%) in patients treated with SPRIX and occurring at a rate at least twice that of placebo are nasal discomfort, rhinalgia, increased lacrimation, throat irritation, oliguria, rash, bradycardia, decreased urine output, increased ALT and/or AST, hypertension, and rhinitis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Zyla Life Sciences US Inc. at 1-800-518-1084 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another…

Every ketorolac tromethamine product we track (6)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Ketorolac Tromethamine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Acular	70/100	Prescription	Drops	—	—	View →
2	Acular Ls	70/100	Prescription	Drops	—	—

What ketorolac tromethamine pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Ketorolac Tromethamine pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
93;314	10 mg	white	round	—
KT	10 mg	white	round	—
M;134	10 mg	white	round	—

Combination products containing ketorolac tromethamine

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Omidria

Ketorolac Tromethamine recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is ketorolac tromethamine?: SPRIX (ketorolac tromethamine) Nasal Spray is a member of the pyrrolo-pyrrole group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, available as a clear, colorless to yellow solution packaged in a glass vial with a snap on spray pump that delivers 15.75 mg ketorolac tromethamine per spray and is intended for intranasal administration. The chemical name is (±)-5-benzoyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizine-1-carboxylic acid, compound with 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (1:1). The molecular weight is 376.41. Its molecular formula is C 19 H 24 N 2 O 6 (C 15 H 13 NO 3 •C 4 H 11 NO 3 ), and it has the following chemical structure. Ketorolac tromethamine is highly water-soluble, allowing its formulation in an aqueous nasal spray product at pH 7.2. The inactive ingredients in SPRIX include: edetate disodium (EDTA), monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection. Chemical Structure
What kind of drug is ketorolac tromethamine?: The FDA classifies ketorolac tromethamine as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that your body uses to make prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling, and fever. Lowering prostaglandins eases pain and inflammation and brings down a high temperature. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take ketorolac tromethamine with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run ketorolac tromethamine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is ketorolac tromethamine sold under?: We track 6 ketorolac tromethamine-containing products in the U.S.: Acular, Acular Ls, Acular Preservative Free, Ketorolac Tromethamine, Sprix and Toradol. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.