Drug interactions
Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac
Severity: Contraindicated
Acetylsalicylic acid and Ketorolac: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: Health Canada product monograph
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 given with aspirin raises the risk of GI bleeding and renal toxicity because both inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and platelet function.
What this interaction means in plain words
Acetylsalicylic acid 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.
Acetylsalicylic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal; Ketorolac belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Duplicate COX inhibition and platelet inhibition
What to do
Avoid; ketorolac labelling excludes concurrent aspirin/NSAIDs. Use a different analgesic.
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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References
Other interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid
Other interactions of Ketorolac
- Aceclofenac + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Argatroban + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Aspirin / citric acid / sodium bicarbonate + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Aspirin rectal + Ketorolac Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Acetylsalicylic acid with Ketorolac?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Acetylsalicylic acid 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 given with aspirin raises the risk of GI bleeding and renal toxicity because both inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and platelet function.
How serious is the interaction between Acetylsalicylic acid 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 labelling excludes concurrent aspirin/NSAIDs. Use a different analgesic.
What other medicines interact with Acetylsalicylic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Abciximab, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Acetylsalicylic acid page.
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