Drug interactions
Heparin + Ketorolac
Severity: Contraindicated
Heparin 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 GI bleeding, and heparin is an anticoagulant, so serious bleeding risk is markedly higher. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates its use in patients at risk of bleeding, including those receiving anticoagulants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Heparin 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.
Heparin belongs to Cardiovascular; Ketorolac belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive hemostatic impairment from NSAID platelet inhibition and heparin-mediated antithrombin potentiation.
What to do
Avoid ketorolac in patients on therapeutic heparin and use a non-NSAID analgesic; if exposure occurs, monitor for bleeding and hemoglobin and aPTT.
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
- Argatroban + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Aspirin / citric acid / sodium bicarbonate + Ketorolac Contraindicated
Other interactions of Heparin
- Defibrotide + Heparin Contraindicated
- Heparin + Oritavancin Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Heparin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Heparin Major
- Alteplase + Heparin Major
- Andexanet alfa + Heparin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Heparin with Ketorolac?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Heparin 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 GI bleeding, and heparin is an anticoagulant, so serious bleeding risk is markedly higher. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates its use in patients at risk of bleeding, including those receiving anticoagulants.
How serious is the interaction between Heparin 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 on therapeutic heparin and use a non-NSAID analgesic; if exposure occurs, monitor for bleeding and hemoglobin and aPTT.
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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