Type of medicine: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic (pain medicine)
Generic and brand names: ketorolac, nasal spray; Sprix
This medicine is used for up to 5 days to relieve moderate to severe pain in adults.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you are taking one aspirin a day for heart disease or stroke, or if you take other medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as warfarin (Coumadin). You should not use this medicine if you take probenecid or pentoxifylline (Trental).
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not take this medicine during the 6th to 9th months of pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Each nasal spray bottle contains 1 day's supply of medicine. Do not use any single bottle of this medicine for more than one day. Discard the bottle 24 hours after taking the first dose, even if the bottle still contains some medicine.
Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. It should not be used for longer than 5 days. Do not use the spray more often or for longer than directed by your healthcare provider. Taking too much of this medicine or for longer than directed will increase the chances of serious side effects.
To get the best results, follow the instructions that come in the medicine package. Use this nose spray exactly as directed.
Prime the spray pump before using it for the first. To prime the pump, press down 5Â times or until a fine mist comes out.
Wash your hands before using this medicine. Before using this medicine, clear your nasal passages by gently blowing your nose. To use the nasal spray, sit up straight and tilt your head slightly forward. Put the tip of the container into your nose, pointed away from the center of your nose. Spray once into the nostril. If your healthcare provider has prescribed a dose of 2 sprays for you, repeat the process for your other nostril.
Keep the spray away from your eyes. If you do get some into your eyes, rinse them with cool water.
This is a strong medicine that can cause ulcers and other intestinal or stomach problems. Therefore, follow your healthcare provider's directions carefully. If you are not sure of the dosage or other directions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing blood, decreased urination, shallow breathing, fainting, coma.
Warning: Occasionally, this medicine may cause bleeding, ulcers, or perforation of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. These problems may occur with or without warning symptoms. You may be at higher risk if you smoke, are over the age of 65 or in poor health, drink alcohol, or take this medicine for a long time. If you have abdominal pain, a black tarry stool, or a bloody stool, stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away.
Taking this medicine for a long time will make it more likely that you will have a heart attack or stroke. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine should not be used right before or after a heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Contact your healthcare provider if you still have pain after 5 days of using this medicine or if the pain gets worse.
This medicine should not be used with other forms of ketorolac or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because of an increased risk of serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Do not take other pain relievers or drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may cause an allergic reaction in people who have asthma or who have had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other pain killers. If you develop hives, itching, a rash, tightness in your chest, or trouble breathing, stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing); chest pain; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sudden trouble seeing or walking; weakness or numbness, especially on one side of your body.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe drowsiness; severe nausea or bloody vomit; stomach pain; tarry or bloody stools; swelling of hands, feet, ankles, or legs, or any unexplained swelling; unusual weakness or tiredness; severe skin rash or blisters; unusual bleeding or bruising; blood in the urine or trouble urinating; yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Other: Mild nasal pain, indigestion, mild nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, sweating, mild throat irritation, watery eyes, runny nose.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Discard the bottle 24 hours after taking the first dose, even if the bottle still contains some medicine.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
