Drug interactions
Ketorolac + Vancomycin
Severity: Moderate
Ketorolac and Vancomycin: moderate 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
Both agents can injure the kidney, and NSAID-related reductions in renal function may raise vancomycin levels, especially in neonates. This increases the risk of acute kidney injury.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketorolac and Vancomycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Ketorolac belongs to Musculoskeletal; Vancomycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive nephrotoxicity, with NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandins reducing glomerular filtration and vancomycin clearance.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and vancomycin trough or AUC levels, and avoid ketorolac in neonates and renally impaired patients. Use a non-NSAID analgesic where possible.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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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 Vancomycin
- Amikacin + Vancomycin Major
- Bacitracin + Vancomycin Major
- Capreomycin + Vancomycin Major
- Cephaloridine + Vancomycin Major
- Cidofovir + Vancomycin Major
- Cisplatin + Vancomycin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketorolac with Vancomycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketorolac and Vancomycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both agents can injure the kidney, and NSAID-related reductions in renal function may raise vancomycin levels, especially in neonates. This increases the risk of acute kidney injury.
How serious is the interaction between Ketorolac and Vancomycin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine and vancomycin trough or AUC levels, and avoid ketorolac in neonates and renally impaired patients. Use a non-NSAID analgesic where possible.
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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