Can Toradol (Ketorolac) injection be used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?

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Last updated: March 18, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

Toradol (ketorolac) injections are not recommended for the long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the most recent and highest quality study, the 2019 update of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of RA with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs 1, the mainstay of treatment for RA is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, or biologics. These medications address the underlying immune dysfunction and can slow disease progression. Toradol, a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is primarily used for short-term management of moderate to severe acute pain, typically limited to 5 days or less.

The use of Toradol for RA is not supported by the EULAR recommendations, which emphasize the importance of treating RA with DMARDs to achieve clinical remission or low disease activity. The recommendations also discuss the use of glucocorticoids, biological DMARDs, and targeted synthetic DMARDs, but do not mention Toradol as a recommended treatment option.

Key points to consider when managing RA include:

  • The use of DMARDs as the mainstay of treatment
  • The importance of achieving clinical remission or low disease activity
  • The role of glucocorticoids, biological DMARDs, and targeted synthetic DMARDs in treatment
  • The need for individualized treatment plans that take into account patient preferences and prognostic factors

In terms of specific treatment strategies, the EULAR recommendations suggest starting with methotrexate plus glucocorticoids and adjusting treatment based on patient response and prognostic factors 1. While Toradol might occasionally be used for severe RA flares in a clinical setting, it should only be administered under direct medical supervision as a temporary measure while adjusting long-term therapy. Patients experiencing RA pain should work with their rheumatologist to develop an appropriate treatment plan that may include oral NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or other pain management strategies alongside disease-modifying treatments.

From the Research

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

  • Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory arthritis that can lead to significant damage and dysfunction of involved joints 2.
  • Current therapies used to treat RA include nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biological-response modifiers 3.
  • NSAIDs are effective in controlling the pain, inflammation, and stiffness related to RA, but they do not slow clinical and radiographic progression of RA 3.

Use of Toradol (Ketorolac) in RA Treatment

  • There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that suggests Toradol (Ketorolac) injection is used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 3, 4, 5, 2, 6.
  • However, NSAIDs, which include Toradol (Ketorolac), are used for the management of pain and inflammation in RA 3.
  • The provided studies focus on the use of DMARDs, biological-response modifiers, and other treatments for RA, but do not specifically mention Toradol (Ketorolac) injection as a treatment option 3, 4, 5, 2, 6.

Treatment Guidelines for RA

  • Guidelines for the treatment of RA recommend the use of conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cs-DMARDs) at the onset of the disease, and only in the case of therapeutic failure, the addition of a biological drug (b-DMARD) is suggested 4, 6.
  • The use of NSAIDs, such as Toradol (Ketorolac), may be considered for the management of pain and inflammation in RA, but it is not a primary treatment option 3.

References

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.