Ceiling dose of Ketorolac in Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acute Pain in an Emergency Department Setting

Nicole Babiak

Abstract


Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication that is commonly used in emergency department settings for patients with moderate to severe acute pain. Because ketorolac use is not recommended to exceed 5 days due to adverse effects, it’s use is most commonly seen for acute pain than chronic pain. Some cautions with this medication include increased risk for cardiovascular events, gastrointestinal complications, renal complications, and increased risk for bleeding. These adverse effects typically cause providers to refrain from use in an outpatient setting. Various studies look at ketorolac’s ceiling dose in order to limit unnecessary amounts of drug administered to a patient. With this, various studies were taken into consideration to see what the ceiling dose for ketorolac is, and if providers follow the results of these studies. Results are conclusive that a ceiling dose of ketorolac is 10mg, as3 opposed to the typical dose of 30 to 60 mg; yet prescribers continue to administer greater than the ceiling dose for ketorolac.


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