From the Research
It is recommended to wait at least 4-6 hours after taking an oral NSAID before receiving a Toradol (ketorolac) IM injection in an outpatient setting. This waiting period helps reduce the risk of additive side effects since Toradol is also an NSAID. Ideally, you should inform your healthcare provider about any NSAIDs you've recently taken before receiving Toradol. For certain NSAIDs with longer half-lives, like naproxen, waiting 8-12 hours may be preferable.
Key Considerations
- Combining multiple NSAIDs increases the risk of serious side effects including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, and cardiovascular complications 1.
- The standard adult Toradol IM dose is typically 30-60mg as a single dose, with a maximum recommended duration of therapy not exceeding 5 days total (including both oral and injectable forms) 2.
- This timing recommendation is based on the pharmacokinetics of NSAIDs and the need to avoid excessive inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, which would increase adverse effects without providing additional pain relief benefits.
Important Factors to Consider
- The type of NSAID taken and its half-life can impact the waiting period before receiving Toradol IM injection.
- Patient-specific factors, such as kidney function and history of gastrointestinal bleeding, should be considered when determining the waiting period.
- The benefits and risks of combining NSAIDs should be carefully weighed, and alternative pain management strategies should be considered when possible 3, 4.