Ketorolac Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s FDA approved to treat short-term (acute) pain in adults. It comes as an oral tablet, an intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) injection, and as a nasal spray (Sprix). Ketorolac eye drops (Acular, Acular LS, Acuvail) are also available for itchy eyes or pain and swelling after eye surgery.

If you received ketorolac in the hospital, your healthcare provider may have you continue taking it as a tablet or nasal spray. Or you may be instructed to use the eye drops after cataract surgery. But regardless of the reason, it’s good to know the typical ketorolac dosage and how long you can take it.

What’s the typical ketorolac dosage for adults?

Ketorolac is considered to be one of the most potent NSAIDs. It may even be used as a substitute for opioid pain medications. With the exception of ketorolac eye drops, you shouldn’t take it for longer than 5 days total due to the increased risk of side effects.

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Your ketorolac dosage may depend on your age, body weight, and kidney health. The dose will also be a bit different depending on which form of ketorolac you’re taking. But generally, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest time needed.

Ketorolac injection

Ketorolac can be given as an intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection. An IM shot is injected directly into your muscle, while an IV injection is dripped into a vein over time. You’ll receive a single dose or multiple doses in a medical setting. The typical ketorolac injection dosage depends on how many doses you’re receiving  and other factors listed below.

Ketorolac tablets

If you’ve received an injectable form of ketorolac, such as after surgery, your healthcare provider may have you take ketorolac tablets for a short period of time after you return home. The typical ketorolac tablet dosage depends on your age, body weight, and kidney health:

• Ages 17 to 64 years old: 20 mg by mouth once, then 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not to exceed 40 mg total per day

• Older adults, kidney problems, or body weight less than 110 lbs: 10 mg by mouth once, then 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not to exceed 40 mg total per day

Your healthcare provider will tell you how many days you can take ketorolac tablets. This will depend on how many days you received ketorolac in the hospital. It’s also possible that they may have you take ketorolac differently from what’s covered above.

Ketorolac nasal spray

Your healthcare provider may prescribe ketorolac nasal spray instead of tablets. Before using a new bottle, you’ll need to activate the pump. It’s important to follow the directions your healthcare team has given you to use the spray correctly.

Similar to other dosage forms, the typical ketorolac nasal spray dosage may depend on your age, body weight, and kidney health:

• Ages 18 to 64 years old: 1 spray in each nostril every 6 to 8 hours, not to exceed 4 doses in one day

• Ages 65 and older, kidney problems, or body weight less than 110 lbs: 1 spray in only one nostril every 6 to 8 hours, not to exceed 4 doses in one day

Good to know: Throw away the bottle of ketorolac nasal spray 24 hours after first using it, even if there’s still liquid inside. This is because it may not deliver an accurate dose after this time.

Ketorolac eye drops

There are a few different varieties of ketorolac eye drops, including 0.5% (Acular), 0.45% (Acuvail), and 0.4% (Acular LS) products. Each one has specific approved uses.

Both the 0.5% and 0.45% drops are used for pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. But the 0.5% can also help with itchy eyes from seasonal allergies. The 0.4% drops are used for pain and burning after corneal refractive surgery (such as LASIK).

The typical dosages for the eye drops are:

• Itchy eyes from seasonal allergies: 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 4 times daily

• After cataract surgery (0.5% drops): 1 drop in the affected eye 4 times daily, starting 24 hours after surgery and continued for 2 weeks

• After cataract surgery (0.45% drops): 1 drop in the affected eye twice daily the day before surgery and on the day of the surgery, then continued for 2 weeks after surgery

• After corneal refractive surgery: 1 drop in the operated eye 4 times daily as needed for pain and burning — can be used for up to 4 days after surgery

What happens if you miss a dose of ketorolac?

Ketorolac is often taken as needed for pain. If you’ve been instructed to take it this way, don’t worry about missing a dose. In this case, you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember. With ketorolac tablets, for example, you would be able to take another dose 4 to 6 hours after you take the missed dose.

If you’re taking ketorolac on a schedule, it’s important to follow your healthcare team’s instructions. But in general, it’s best not to double up on doses to make up for a dose that you’ve missed.

What should you do if you take too much ketorolac?

Since ketorolac is a stronger medication than other NSAIDs, you could have a higher risk of side effects if you take too much. These effects include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Bleeding is also possible.

If you think you’ve taken too much ketorolac, contact your healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for further directions. But if any symptoms feel severe or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

How to save on ketorolac

There are ways to save on ketorolac, which is available as a lower-cost generic. With GoodRx discounts, ketorolac tablets are as low as $15.39 at certain pharmacies. The lowest price for the ketorolac nasal spray, however, is available through a specific mail-order pharmacy.

GoodRx can also help you save on ketorolac eye drops, with prices as low as:

• Ketorolac 0.5% drops: $10.99

• Ketorolac 0.45% drops (brand only): $330.26

• Ketorolac 0.4% drops: $27.09

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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