Ketorolac Tromethamine
Ketorolac tromethamine · Say it: kee-toh-ROE-lak troh-METH-uh-meen
An anti-inflammatory eye drop used to ease itching from seasonal allergies and to reduce swelling after cataract surgery.
Brand names: Toronova SUIK
Used for
The label says this medicine is used for two things. First, it gives temporary relief of eye itching caused by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Second, it treats inflammation (swelling and irritation) after cataract surgery in people who have had that surgery.
Comes as
Ophthalmic solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL) in a 10 mL bottle filled with 5 mL of solution
Common side effects
Transient stinging and burning when the drop goes in. The label says this is the most frequent side effect, reported by up to 40% of people in clinical trials., Allergic reactions in the eye, including eye swelling, redness, and itching (reported in about 1% to 10% of people)., Eye irritation, eye pain, or eye inflammation (reported in about 1% to 10% of people).
| Generic name | Ketorolac tromethamine |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Toronova SUIK |
| Type of medicine | A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) from the pyrrolo-pyrrole group, used as an eye drop. The FDA pharmacologic class is not listed on this label. |
| How it is sold | Eye drops (ophthalmic solution) |
| Comes as | Ophthalmic solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL) in a 10 mL bottle filled with 5 mL of solution |
| Route | ophthalmic |
| Boxed warning | No |
| Label date | 2026-02-26 |
💊 What is Ketorolac Tromethamine used for?
- The label says this medicine is used for two things. First, it gives temporary relief of eye itching caused by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Second, it treats inflammation (swelling and irritation) after cataract surgery in people who have had that surgery.
How it works
How it is usually taken
- The label describes putting drops into the affected eye(s). For allergy itch, the label describes a schedule of several times a day. After cataract surgery, the label says drops start 24 hours after surgery and continue through the first 2 weeks of the recovery period. The label also says not to let the bottle tip touch the eye or surrounding areas. If you use more than one eye drop, the label says to space them at least 5 minutes apart. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.
Comes as
- Ophthalmic solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL) in a 10 mL bottle filled with 5 mL of solution
⚠️ Ketorolac Tromethamine side effects
Common side effects
- Transient stinging and burning when the drop goes in. The label says this is the most frequent side effect, reported by up to 40% of people in clinical trials.
- Allergic reactions in the eye, including eye swelling, redness, and itching (reported in about 1% to 10% of people).
- Eye irritation, eye pain, or eye inflammation (reported in about 1% to 10% of people).
- Corneal swelling, iritis, superficial keratitis, or superficial eye infections (reported in about 1% to 10% of people).
- Rarely reported: corneal infiltrates, corneal ulcer, eye dryness, headache, and blurry vision.
Get medical help right away if
- Get medical help right away if you have signs of corneal damage, such as eye pain that gets worse, sores or breaks on the front of the eye, or changes in your vision. The label says these events can threaten sight. If you have corneal epithelial breakdown, the label says to stop using topical NSAIDs right away.
- Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, wheezing, or worsening asthma. The label says bronchospasm or asthma flare-ups have been reported in people with aspirin or NSAID sensitivity or a history of asthma.
- Get medical help right away if you notice more bleeding in or around the eye during or after eye surgery. The label mentions increased bleeding of eye tissues, including hyphemas.
- Get medical help right away if you have slow or delayed healing of the eye or surrounding tissue. The label says NSAIDs may slow or delay healing.
- Get medical help right away if you have serious eye damage or vision loss. The label says contaminated solutions can cause this.
🛑 Who should not take Ketorolac Tromethamine, and who should be careful
The label says not to take it if
- You have had a known allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) to any ingredient in this product. The label lists this as a reason not to use it.
Tell your doctor before taking it if
- Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you have had a reaction to aspirin, other NSAIDs, or phenylacetic acid derivatives. The label says there is potential for cross-sensitivity.
- Tell your prescriber if you have asthma or a history of asthma.
- Tell your prescriber if you have bleeding tendencies or take other medicines that may prolong bleeding time. The label says to use this medicine with caution in these cases.
- Tell your prescriber if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, dry eye syndrome, corneal nerve problems, corneal epithelial defects, or a history of complicated eye surgery or repeat eye surgeries. The label says these conditions may raise the risk of corneal problems.
- The label says that using this medicine more than 1 day before surgery or beyond 14 days after surgery may increase the risk of corneal side effects.
- Tell your prescriber if you develop a new eye injury, eye infection, or need eye surgery while using this medicine. The label says to seek medical advice right away about whether to keep using it.
- The label says this medicine should not be used while you are wearing contact lenses.
🔀 Ketorolac Tromethamine with other medicines, food and alcohol
The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist
- Topical steroid eye drops: the label says using topical NSAIDs and topical steroids together may increase the potential for healing problems.
- Other eye drops: the label says this medicine has been used safely with antibiotics, alpha-agonists, beta blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cycloplegics, and mydriatics. Drops should be given at least 5 minutes apart.
- Medicines that prolong bleeding time: the label says to use caution with these.
Alcohol and food
The label does not say.
🤰 Ketorolac Tromethamine in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
The label says there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It says no evidence of birth defects was seen in rats or rabbits at clinically relevant doses. Because prostaglandin-inhibiting drugs can affect the baby's heart blood vessel (the ductus arteriosus), the label says use during late pregnancy should be avoided. Talk with your prescriber about your situation.
Breastfeeding
The label does not say.
🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much
Storage
The label says to store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Protect from light.
If a dose is missed
The label does not say.
If too much is taken
The label does not say.
🗒️ Questions to ask about Ketorolac Tromethamine
🎯 Check what you understood
1. What is this eye drop mainly used for?
2. What does the label say about wearing contact lenses while using this medicine?
3. What does the label advise about the bottle tip?
❓ Ketorolac Tromethamine: frequently asked questions
What is ketorolac eye drop used for?
The label says it is used for temporary relief of eye itching from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. It is also used to treat inflammation after cataract surgery.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effect in the label is brief stinging and burning when the drop goes in. Eye irritation, redness, itching, and eye pain were also reported.
Does this medicine have a boxed warning?
The label provided does not include a boxed warning. It does describe serious eye risks, including corneal damage and vision loss from contaminated solutions.
Can I use other eye drops with it?
The label says it has been used with several other eye drop types. It advises giving drops at least 5 minutes apart.
How should I store it?
The label says to store it at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) and to protect it from light.
🧪 Tests and reports linked to Ketorolac Tromethamine
The label text mentions these. If you have one of these reports, get every line of it explained.
- HbA1c and glucose
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Metabolic panel (BMP, CMP)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Clotting tests (PT, INR)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Complete blood count (CBC)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Culture and sensitivity
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Urinalysis
a test or report linked to this medicine
📖 Medical words used on this page
- Allergic reaction
An allergic reaction is when the immune system overreacts to something harmless, such as a medicine or food, causing symptoms from a rash to swelling.
- Antibiotic
An antibiotic is a medicine that kills bacteria or stops them growing; it treats bacterial infections, not viral ones like colds or flu.
- Boxed warning
A boxed warning is the strongest safety warning on a US medicine label, printed in a box, about a serious or life-threatening risk.
- Bronchospasm
Bronchospasm is a sudden tightening of the muscles around the airways, making it hard to breathe. Severe bronchospasm needs urgent help.
- Bronchospastic Disease
Bronchospastic disease means a lung condition, such as asthma, in which the airways tend to tighten suddenly (bronchospasm).
- Cataract
A cataract is clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye, causing blurred or dim vision.
- Congenital malformations
Congenital malformations are differences in the structure of the body that are present at birth, such as heart, spine or lip and palate defects.
- Corticosteroid
A corticosteroid is a medicine similar to the body's own hormone cortisol, used to reduce inflammation and calm the immune system.
- Edema
Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues, often in the feet, ankles and legs.
- Exacerbation
An exacerbation is a flare-up: a period when a long-term condition, such as asthma, COPD or hepatitis, suddenly gets worse.
- Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions where the optic nerve is damaged, often linked to raised pressure inside the eye, which can affect sight.
- Glucocorticoid
A glucocorticoid is a steroid hormone or medicine, like prednisolone or hydrocortisone, that calms inflammation and the immune system.
- Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity means the immune system overreacts to something, such as a medicine. It covers allergic reactions from mild rash to severe reactions.
- Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection, causing redness, heat, swelling and pain as the immune system works to protect and repair.
📖 Medical words on this page
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Explain my leafletDecode my prescription🔗 Trusted sources about Ketorolac Tromethamine
- Full official label on DailyMed ↗
US National Library of Medicine: the complete FDA label this page is based on
- Ketorolac Tromethamine on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine's patient drug information
- Search the NHS website for Ketorolac Tromethamine ↗
UK National Health Service
Report a side effect or check safety alerts
- Report a side effect in the US (FDA MedWatch) ↗
- Report a side effect in the UK (Yellow Card) ↗
- FDA recalls and safety alerts ↗
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Source: official FDA drug label (label updated 2026-02-26). Read the full label on DailyMed
MedicDecode explains the official label in plain words. It is not medical advice and does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Never start, stop or change a medicine because of what you read here.