Toradol Shots - An Overview
Did you know that the most popular medicine that players use in the National Football League (NFL) isn't opioid or medical marijuana?
Pain relievers, without a doubt, are career-saving drugs as they keep athletes on the field. However, the debate and controversy over the type of painkillers are not new. Many experts believe that the painkillers mask concussions and may lead to serious injuries. Toradol is one such controversial drug. This injectable nonsteroidal is an anti-inflammatory drug.
Toradol's use came into the spotlight in 2011 when NFL players brought a claim on the league. The player sued the league mentioning that authorities did not inform them about the serious effects of the drug that lingered after their careers.
Though it doesn't cause addiction, Toradol is a powerful drug and can cause numerous side effects. Medical professionals don't recommend its use for an extended time.
Here, we have taken a closer look at this prescription drug, its risks, and benefits to see if it is the right substitute for painkillers or opioids.
Toradol- An Overview
Toradol is typically a prescription NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). The medication and drug decrease or lowers prostaglandins- a substance in the body that causes inflammation. However, medical professionals are not sure about the mechanism behind Toradol's functioning. Nevertheless, these nonsteroidal drugs are useful to reduce swelling, pain, fever, and pain.
Note that Toradol is not opium, so it is not a sedative or narcotic. Users don't develop an addiction to Toradol, so the government authorities don't regulate it as a controlled substance. However, Toradol is potentially powerful and extremely beneficial for short-term pain relief. The drug comes in tablets and injections. Many people take this non-inflammatory drug intravenously.
Moreover, Toradol is also available in an intranasal solution to spray on the nose. Doctors mostly use the drug after surgery. That means you can get it via an IV or an injection. After that, you can take the drug orally.
Uses of Toradol
As mentioned above, Toradol is a raging non-opioid drug commonly used for relieving pain. You can use the drug for alleviating mild to serve pain. In several medical procedures, including surgeries, doctors use Toradol for pain management. It allows patients to get back to their regular life routines and daily life activities.
That is to say, one of Toradol's common uses is to alleviate pain after a medical procedure. Doctors administer the first dose through injections and IV and then prescribe tablets to take orally.
In general, you can use Toradol for;
Low back pain
Sickle cell
tension headache or acute migraine
Kidney stones
The powerful drug can relieve pain within fifteen minutes after injections. Remember that Toradol is not for treating chronic pain such as joint pain or arthritis. It is because it may cause severe side effects. If used excessively, the drug may increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks. In many cases, it has caused kidney failure when administered longer than four to five days.
That is why medical professionals prescribe Toradol only for short-term treatments of moderate pain. Reducing or managing pain help patients recover faster and comfortably. As a medication, Toradol blocks the production of certain natural substances of the body that may contribute to causing inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication helps patients decrease not only pain but also swelling and fever. However, you should not use Toradol for painful conditions and long-term.
What Dosages is Correct for Toradol Shots
As mentioned earlier, Toradol comes in injections, and you can also administer it through an IV, tablets, or nasal spray. The typical dosage for a person is 60 mg in injection if their weight is 110 pounds. The medication reduces to 30 mg if it goes through IV as per FDA's instructions.
However, you can take additional doses every six hours per requirement but not more than 120 mg per day. People, who weigh 100 pounds or less, can cut the dosage in half. If you're using nasal spray, you can use one spray in both nostrils after every seven to eight hours. Remember that tablets of Toradol are for only follow-up treatment.
For adults, 20 mg tablets are the typical dose to start with, and then the dosage reduces to 10 mg every six hours. People under 110 pounds can adjust the dose to 10 mg every four to eight hours. Older adults also require to take a dosage under 110 pounds. However, regardless of your age, you must discontinue administering Toradol after the initial dosage of five days.
In case you miss the Toradol dose, take it when you remember it as long as you meet the prescribed dosage time requirement. For instance, if you have to take a dosage after every six hours and miss one, you can administer the missed dose if it is already more than six hours since the last dosage.
Simply stated, you need to determine the next dosage based on the last time you took the drugs but not the original schedule. As Toradol is an NSAID, you may have GI bleeding as a possible side effect if you take it for a long time. Many healthcare providers limit Toradol use to five days for chronic pain. After the recommended time, the doctors will likely prescribe different medicine to relieve pain.
Toradol Interactions
If you are using Toradol, your doctor must know all the medicines you're already taking. It will help you avoid any harmful drug to drug interaction. Generally, you should not take Toradol if you take;
Pentoxifylline
Seizure medications
Lithium
Probenecid
Blood thinners
Methotrexate
blood pressure medication
Antipsychotic medication
Muscle relaxants
Steroids (prednisone)
It doesn't end here; it is better to avoid alcohol or take any other nonsteroidal, including indomethacin, ibuprofen, aspirin, celecoxib, meloxicam, and diclofenac with Toradol. Taking more than two NSAIDs may cause stomach bleeding and ulcers.
Moreover, a large dose of nonsteroidal can affect your kidneys and may cause coma and seizures. You must seek medical assistance if you take NSAID accidentally while you're on Toradol.
Possible Side Effects of Using Toradol
It is worth mentioning that FDA has approved Toradol for mild to acute pain. That means it is safe to use this nonsteroidal when you take it as directed. However, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol, informing your doctor can help you prevent possible side effects of Toradol.
Some of the common side effects of this NSAID may include;
Nausea, Diarrhea
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headache
heartburn
indigestion
Swelling
upset stomach
Weight gain
Furthermore, many individuals who take Toradol shots experience feeling of euphoria or well being. Plus, the medication has some adverse side effects. That is to say, you should immediately seek medical assistance if you experience the following signs.
Stomach Bleeding: Vomiting ( like the coffee ground), coughing, tarry or bloody stools
Kidney Issues: Increased risk of kidney disorders, painful or difficult urination, reduced urination, swelling ankles and feet, shortness of breath, and fatigue
Anemia: Feeling lightheaded, pale skin, short of breath, trouble concentrating, rapid heartbeat
Liver Problems And Risk Of Liver Disease: Drowsiness, nausea, pain in the abdomen, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, yellowing skin, and eyes, flu-like symptoms
Stroke: Numbness of the body, shortness of breath, weakness
Other Precautions of Torado
· Age Restrictions
Keep in mind that Toradol is not for children under 24 months old. Also, it has yet to prove safe for patients under 16 years old. People over 60 years also don't benefit from this nonsteroidal.
· Expectant and Breastfeeding Mothers
If you're an expectant and breastfeeding mother, make sure you discuss your medical condition before taking Toradol shots. Also, discuss your plans with the doctor if you're planning to get pregnant. According to some recent FDA surveys, taking Toradol is not healthy during the last months of pregnancy. The medication can harm the fetus.
Toradol shots fall in FDA's category C of pregnancy. Many animal studies have demonstrated adverse side effects of the drug on the baby. Although there is a lack of controlled studies on pregnant women, many experts believe that pregnant women should avoid taking Toradol even if its potential benefits justify the risk.
These potential risks may include the risk of premature closure of the mother's ductus arteriosus and miscarriage. Moreover, the drug may increase the risk and chances of stillbirth.
Summing Up
In a nutshell, Toradol is not a narcotic and addictive drug. But you can still experience some severe side effects if you take it for an excessive time. If your medical professional prescribes you Toradol, you must ask him/her about the best methods to administer the drug and the ideal period of time you should take it. If administered correctly, Toradol offers several medicinal benefits, including relieving pain without addiction.
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/is-toradol-a-narcotic#takeaway
https://www.goodrx.com/blog/what-is-toradol-ketorolac-nsaid-pain-reliever/