Ketorolac is an NSAID used to treat moderate to severe pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, menstrual disorders, and headaches. Ketorolac is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is commercially available as an oral tablet, injectable, nasal spray and as an ophthalmic solution.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 3 references
Ketorolac inhibits key pathways in prostaglandin synthesis which is crucial to it's mechanism of action. Although ketorolac is non-selective and inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, it's clinical efficacy is derived from it's COX-2 inhibition. The COX-2 enzyme is inducible and is responsible for converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandins that mediate inflammation and pain. By blocking this pathway, ketorolac achieves analgesia and reduces inflammation. Ketorolac is administered as a racemic mixture; however, the "S" enantiomer is largely responsible for it's pharmacological activity.
- Primary indication
- Ketorolac is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.Curator reviewed · 18 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C15H13NO3 · 255.2686 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1998 · United States, 1991
- Also known as
- rac-Ketorolac
- Code names
- BPPC
- Brand names
Resolves to
OZWKMVRBQXNZKK-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESOC(=O)C1CCN2C1=CC=C2C(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Ketorolac, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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