Drug interactions
Ketorolac + Salsalate
Severity: Contraindicated
Ketorolac and Salsalate: 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 combined with another NSAID such as salsalate adds to the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, renal injury and impaired platelet function without adding useful analgesic benefit. Ketorolac labeling prohibits its use with other NSAIDs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketorolac and Salsalate 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.
Why it happens
Additive inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin synthesis, causing additive gastrointestinal, renal and antiplatelet toxicity.
What to do
Do not co-administer; use only one NSAID at a time. If ketorolac is needed, stop salsalate and consider a non-NSAID adjunct such as paracetamol.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketorolac with Salsalate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Ketorolac and Salsalate 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 combined with another NSAID such as salsalate adds to the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, renal injury and impaired platelet function without adding useful analgesic benefit. Ketorolac labeling prohibits its use with other NSAIDs.
How serious is the interaction between Ketorolac and Salsalate?
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 co-administer; use only one NSAID at a time. If ketorolac is needed, stop salsalate and consider a non-NSAID adjunct such as paracetamol.
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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