ENERIC NAME: ketorolac

BRAND NAME: N/A

DISCONTINUED BRAND: Toradol
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Ketorolac is a member of a class of drugscalled
nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are used for treating
inflammation and pain. Other drugs in this class include ibuprofen(Motrin)
and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), but ketorolac is more effective than other NSAIDs
in reducing pain from both inflammatory and non-inflammatory causes. Ketorolac
reduces the production of prostaglandins, chemicals that cells of the immune
system make that cause the redness,fever, and pain of inflammation and that also
are believed to be important in the production of non-inflammatory pain. It does this
by blocking the enzymes that cells use to make prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase 1
and 2). As a result, pain as well as inflammation and its signs and symptoms,
redness, swelling, fever, and pain, are reduced. The FDA approved ketorolac in
November 1989.