Drug interactions
Ketorolac + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Contraindicated
Ketorolac and Mefenamic acid: 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
Using mefenamic acid with ketorolac increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and renal toxicity without added analgesic benefit. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates concomitant NSAIDs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketorolac and Mefenamic acid 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 belongs to Musculoskeletal; Mefenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive cyclooxygenase inhibition affecting gastric mucosa, platelets and renal prostaglandins.
What to do
Do not combine; choose one NSAID only.
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 Mefenamic acid
- Ketorolac intranasal + Mefenamic acid Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Mefenamic acid Major
- Acemetacin + Mefenamic acid Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Mefenamic acid Major
- Alteplase + Mefenamic acid Major
- Amiloride + Mefenamic acid Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketorolac with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Ketorolac and Mefenamic acid 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. Using mefenamic acid with ketorolac increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and renal toxicity without added analgesic benefit. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates concomitant NSAIDs.
How serious is the interaction between Ketorolac and Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine; choose one NSAID only.
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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