In the U.S.—

In Canada—

• Anti-inflammatory, nonsteroidal, ophthalmic
• Antipruritic, ophthalmic

Ophthalmic ketorolac ( kee-toe-ROLE-ak) is an anti-inflammatory medicine. It is used in the eye to treat itching caused by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (an allergy that occurs at only certain times of the year). Ophthalmic ketorolac is also used to treat inflammation of the eye following cataract surgery.

This medicine may also be used to prevent or treat other conditions, as determined by your ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S. and Canada)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ophthalmic ketorolac, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin or other salicylates, ophthalmic ketorolac, systemic ketorolac (e.g., Toradol), diclofenac (e.g., Voltaren), or any of the other ophthalmic or systemic anti-inflammatory medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Ophthalmic ketorolac has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in some animals have shown that ophthalmic ketorolac causes birth defects. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—Ophthalmic ketorolac has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic ketorolac in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic ketorolac in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other ophthalmic prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

• Hemophilia or
• Other bleeding problems—The possibility of bleeding may be increased during eye surgery

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing—

The dose of ophthalmic ketorolac will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of ophthalmic ketorolac. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
  • For itching of the eye
    • Adults—Use one drop in each eye four times a day for up to one week or as directed by your doctor.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For inflammation of the eye following cataract surgery
    • Adults—Use one drop in the affected eye(s) four times a day beginning twenty-four hours after surgery and continuing for two weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

While applying this medicine, your eyes will probably sting or burn for a short time. This is to be expected.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common or rare
  • Burning, itching, redness, swelling, tearing, or other sign of eye irritation not present before therapy or becoming worse during therapy ;  skin rash around eye 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Stinging or burning of eye when medicine is applied 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.