Drug interactions
Argatroban + Ketorolac
Severity: Contraindicated
Argatroban and Ketorolac: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Ketorolac inhibits platelet function and can cause gastrointestinal ulceration, while argatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor, so bleeding risk is substantially increased. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates its use in patients at risk of bleeding and with concurrent anticoagulants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Argatroban and Ketorolac are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Argatroban belongs to Cardiovascular; Ketorolac belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive hemostatic impairment from NSAID-mediated platelet inhibition and direct thrombin inhibition.
What to do
Avoid ketorolac in patients receiving argatroban and use a non-NSAID analgesic such as paracetamol or an appropriate alternative; monitor for bleeding if exposure has occurred.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Ketorolac
- Aceclofenac + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Aspirin / citric acid / sodium bicarbonate + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Aspirin rectal + Ketorolac Contraindicated
Other interactions of Argatroban
- Argatroban + Defibrotide Contraindicated
- Argatroban + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Argatroban Major
- Acalabrutinib + Argatroban Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Argatroban Major
- Alteplase + Argatroban Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Argatroban with Ketorolac?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Argatroban and Ketorolac are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Ketorolac inhibits platelet function and can cause gastrointestinal ulceration, while argatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor, so bleeding risk is substantially increased. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates its use in patients at risk of bleeding and with concurrent anticoagulants.
How serious is the interaction between Argatroban and Ketorolac?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid ketorolac in patients receiving argatroban and use a non-NSAID analgesic such as paracetamol or an appropriate alternative; monitor for bleeding if exposure has occurred.
What other medicines interact with Ketorolac?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketorolac with, for example, Aceclofenac, Acemetacin, Acetylsalicylic acid. The full list is on the Ketorolac page.
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