Ketorolac Tromethamine: An Analgesic for Acute Pain
Unlike the intravenous solution of tromethamine (THAM) used to correct metabolic acidosis, the tablet form is Ketorolac Tromethamine, a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). In this preparation, tromethamine acts as a stabilizing salt for the active analgesic ingredient, ketorolac. The primary use for ketorolac tromethamine tablets is the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain that would otherwise require opioid-level pain relief. Its use is strictly limited, typically to a maximum of five days, because of the risk of serious side effects.
The Purpose of Ketorolac Tromethamine
Ketorolac works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are compounds in the body that cause inflammation, pain, and fever. By blocking this process, the medication effectively reduces pain and swelling, making it particularly useful in a post-operative setting or after a medical procedure. The tablet is often prescribed as a continuation treatment after a patient has initially received ketorolac via injection (intravenous or intramuscular).
Strict Guidelines for Usage
Due to its high potency and associated risks, the use of ketorolac tromethamine tablets is heavily regulated and comes with strict guidelines. These include limitations on duration (maximum 5 days total), indication (acute, moderately severe pain only), and initiation (only after IV or IM administration). Careful consideration is required for elderly patients or those with impaired kidney function.
Important Safety Concerns and Contraindications
Ketorolac tromethamine has significant safety risks. For detailed information on warnings, precautions, and contraindications, refer to the referenced web documents. It can cause serious gastrointestinal events like bleeding and perforation, cardiovascular thrombotic events such as heart attack and stroke, and renal injury. Other risks include increased bleeding potential and hypersensitivity reactions. It is not recommended during late pregnancy. Specific contraindications include a history of peptic ulcers or GI bleeding, advanced kidney impairment, bleeding disorders, hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, and use in patients undergoing CABG surgery or during labor and delivery.
Comparison: Tromethamine vs. Ketorolac Tromethamine
| Feature | Intravenous Tromethamine (THAM) | Oral Ketorolac Tromethamine (Tablets) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Correction of severe metabolic acidosis | Short-term management of moderately severe acute pain |
| Route of Administration | Intravenous (IV) injection | Oral (tablet) |
| Availability | Discontinued in most regions; sodium bicarbonate is now the standard | Widely available as a prescription medication |
| Active Compound | Tromethamine (THAM), a systemic alkalizer | Ketorolac, a potent NSAID |
| Tromethamine's Role | The active therapeutic agent | A stabilizing salt for the active ingredient, ketorolac |
Conclusion
The term tromethamine tablet refers to the prescription medication Ketorolac Tromethamine, a powerful NSAID used for short-term, acute pain relief in adults. It is distinct from the intravenous tromethamine solution (THAM), used for metabolic acidosis and now largely discontinued. Due to serious risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular events, and kidney damage, its use is strictly limited to a maximum of five days under medical supervision. Patients should consult their doctor or pharmacist regarding their medication. For more information, consult the DailyMed entry from the National Institutes of Health {Link: DailyMed https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e1fb8753-4695-4cb2-83d7-15d79fbaeeb2}.
