RENAL-FAILURE AND HYPERKALEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH KETOROLAC TROMETHAMINE

Three patients who were treated with ketorolac tromethamine (Toradol), an injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for pain management , developed acute renal failure or hyperkalemia or both. These complic ations were reversible in two cases after discontinuing the drug. Clin ical conditions preexisted in each patient that rendered them suscepti ble to the renal complications of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory use. It is well known that caution should be observed while using nonsteroi dal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients whose renal function may be pr eserved through prostaglandin-mediated vasodilatory effects. The same cautions apply to ketorolac. Since its major marketed use is as an ana lgesic and its potent effect on prostaglandin synthesis may not be wel l recognized, those cautions must be emphasized.