Drug interactions
Ketorolac + Meloxicam
Severity: Contraindicated
Ketorolac and Meloxicam: 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
Concurrent ketorolac and meloxicam increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney injury and cardiovascular events without extra pain relief. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates use with other NSAIDs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketorolac and Meloxicam 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; Meloxicam belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive cyclooxygenase inhibition affecting gastric mucosa, platelets and renal prostaglandins.
What to do
Do not use together; use only one NSAID and consider allowing for meloxicam's long half-life when switching.
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 Meloxicam
- Ketorolac intranasal + Meloxicam Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Meloxicam Major
- Acemetacin + Meloxicam Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Meloxicam Major
- Alteplase + Meloxicam Major
- Amiloride + Meloxicam Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketorolac with Meloxicam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Ketorolac and Meloxicam 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. Concurrent ketorolac and meloxicam increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney injury and cardiovascular events without extra pain relief. Ketorolac labeling contraindicates use with other NSAIDs.
How serious is the interaction between Ketorolac and Meloxicam?
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 use together; use only one NSAID and consider allowing for meloxicam's long half-life when switching.
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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