Evaluation of Efficacy, Time Required For Pain Relief, and Adverse Effects of Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection (Im or Iv) in Inpatient Departments of Tertiary Level Hospitals in Bangladesh

Author(s): Prof. Dr. A.T.M Khalilur Rahman, Prof. Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam, Prof. Dr. Md. Nazmul Kayes, Dr. Tasnim Mahmud, Md. Mamunur Rashid

Background:

Ketorolac is a chiral NSAID used for analgesia, available in tablets or injections. Its tromethamine component enhances solubility and absorption. Adverse effects are dose-dependent and can include nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Despite its adverse effects, ketorolac is becoming popular as an adjunct or replacement for corticosteroid injections. Objectives of the study was to evaluate efficacy, time required for pain relief and adverse effects of Ketorolac Tromethamine injection in tertiary level hospitals in Bangladesh.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants aged ≥18 years with pain and/or inflammation evaluated by doctors, requiring NSAIDs (Ketorolac Tromethamine-Toradolin). The participant was purposively selected from in-patient department of different tertiary level healthcare facilities. After proper explanation of the study and with written informed consent, participants were prescribed ketorolac tromethamine injection through IV and IM route. Data was collected through a pretested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Results:

In this study, mean patient age was 37.23 ± 14.55 and 35 of the patients were male (22.88%), while 118 were female (77.12%). Ketorolac tromethamine is used mostly as a pain killer after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (22.88%), followed by LUCS (20.26%). Most (61.44%) people didn't need any additional medication for pain relief. Before administration of ketorolac Tromethamine injection, 61.4% of patients complained of strong pain, while after administration only 2% complained about strong pain. Level of pain before and after administration of ketorolac Tromethamine had strong association (p <0.001). After administration of ketorolac tromethamine injection, 86.3%(n=132) needed 11–20 minutes to relieve pain, followed by 7.8%(n=12) who needed <10 minutes. After receiving a ketorolac Tromethamine injection, 92.8% of patients experienced no side effects.

Conclusion:

Ketorolac worked quickly and effectively for pain relief, with most patients (86.3%) feeling better within 11–20 minutes. Strong pain dropped from 61.4% to just 2% after the injection. Almost all patients (92.8%) had no side effects, showing it is both fast and safe for managing pain.