Drug interactions
Ketorolac + Prednisolone
Severity: Major
Ketorolac and Prednisolone: major 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 is a potent NSAID with a high gastrointestinal bleeding risk, and concurrent corticosteroids further raise the risk of ulceration and hemorrhage. Ketorolac is restricted to short courses for this reason.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketorolac and Prednisolone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Ketorolac belongs to Musculoskeletal; Prednisolone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive gastrointestinal mucosal injury from prostaglandin inhibition by ketorolac and impaired mucosal healing from corticosteroids.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible and keep ketorolac to the labeled short course. If used together, add a proton pump inhibitor and monitor for gastrointestinal bleeding.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Prednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Prednisolone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketorolac with Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ketorolac and Prednisolone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Ketorolac is a potent NSAID with a high gastrointestinal bleeding risk, and concurrent corticosteroids further raise the risk of ulceration and hemorrhage. Ketorolac is restricted to short courses for this reason.
How serious is the interaction between Ketorolac and Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible and keep ketorolac to the labeled short course. If used together, add a proton pump inhibitor and monitor for gastrointestinal bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Prednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Prednisolone page.
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