Tolerability
In clinical studies, SPRIX® (ketorolac tromethamine) Nasal Spray has been well tolerated—nasal discomfort and irritation were the most common side effects.1 Nasal irritation is generally mild and transient (lasting less than 5 minutes) and did not worsen with repeated administration.2 In controlled efficacy trials, 6.5% of patients treated with SPRIX® and 2.4% of patients treated with placebo discontinued due to nasal irritation.3
Details on adverse reactions, contraindications, limitations of use and other safety-related information are provided in the Important Safety Information and Prescribing Information.
In clinical studies, 1.5% of patients treated with SPRIX® experienced serious adverse events of bleeding or hematoma at the operative site, vs 0.4% treated with placebo.4
SPRIX® is contraindicated with known hypersensitivity to ketorolac tromethamine, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, aspirin or to other NSAIDs and use in patients with a history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
SPRIX® is also contraindicated as a prophylactic analgesic before any major surgery and in labor and delivery. Through its prostaglandin synthesis inhibitory effect, ketorolac may adversely affect fetal circulation and inhibit uterine contractions, thus increasing the risk of uterine hemorrhage.
Use with allergy medicines
SPRIX® can be prescribed for patients being treated for allergies with nasal medications. It has been studied in patients with allergic rhinitis before and after administration of fluticasone and oxymetazoline. Neither allergy medicine had any clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of SPRIX®.1
Gastrointestinal effects
SPRIX® is absorbed through the nasal mucosa, bypassing the GI tract. It is a useful option for patients struggling with nausea and vomiting, particularly postoperative patients.
Moreover, placebo-controlled studies have shown a trend for a reduced incidence of nausea and constipation in patients taking intranasal ketorolac and other parenteral formulations of ketorolac, likely reflecting decreased morphine use.2,4
Ketorolac tromethamine, including SPRIX®, can cause peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and/or perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Therefore, SPRIX® is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer disease, in patients with recent gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, and in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events.
Bleeding risks
The incidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage with ketorolac is similar to that seen with morphine, unless use is extended beyond 5 days, or patients are at high risk for complications.2
In controlled clinical trials in patients who have undergone major surgery (primarily knee and hip replacements and abdominal hysterectomies), 7 patients (n=455, 1.5%) treated with SPRIX® experienced serious adverse events of bleeding (4 patients) or hematoma (3 patients) at the operative site, vs one placebo patient (n=245, 0.4%) who developed hematoma.1
Ketorolac tromethamine inhibits platelet function and is, therefore, contraindicated in patients with suspected or confirmed cerebrovascular bleeding, patients with hemorrhagic diathesis, incomplete hemostasis and those at high risk of bleeding.
Resources for Your Practice and Your Patients
Obtain patient guides, details about clinical studies and other resources.
Patient Counseling Information
Details about use, adverse events and other guidance
REFERENCES:
- SPRIX® Prescribing Information. Shirley, NY: American Regent, Inc; 2011.
- Brown C, Moodie J, Bisley E, Bynum L. Intranasal ketorolac for postoperative pain: a phase 3, double-blind, randomized study. Pain Med. 2009;10(6):1106-1114.
- Data on file. Integrated summary of safety. Shirley, NY: Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Singla N, Singla S, Minkowitz HS, Moodie J, Brown C. Intranasal ketorolac for acute postoperative pain. Curr Med Res Opin. 2010;26(8):1915-1923.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: LIMITATIONS OF USE, GASTROINTESTINAL, BLEEDING, CARDIOVASCULAR, and RENAL RISK
Limitations of Use
SPRIX® (ketorolac tromethamine) Nasal Spray, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is indicated for short-term (up to 5 days in adults) management of moderate to moderately severe pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level. Do not exceed a total combined duration of use of SPRIX® and other ketorolac formulations (IM/IV or oral) of 5 days.
SPRIX® is not indicated for use in pediatric patients and it is not indicated for minor or chronic painful conditions.
Gastrointestinal Risk
Ketorolac tromethamine, including SPRIX®, can cause peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and/or perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Therefore, SPRIX® is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer disease, in patients with recent gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, and in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events.
Bleeding Risk
Ketorolac tromethamine inhibits platelet function and is, therefore, contraindicated in patients with suspected or confirmed cerebrovascular bleeding, patients with hemorrhagic diathesis, incomplete hemostasis and those at high risk of bleeding.
Cardiovascular Risk
NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk.
SPRIX® is contraindicated for treatment of perioperative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Renal Risk
SPRIX® is contraindicated in patients with advanced renal impairment and in patients at risk for renal failure due to volume depletion.
SPRIX® is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity or history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions to aspirin, ketorolac, other NSAIDs or EDTA. However, anaphylactoid reactions may occur in patients with or without a history of allergic reactions to aspirin or NSAIDs. SPRIX® is contraindicated in patients as a prophylactic analgesic prior to major surgery; or in labor, delivery, or nursing mothers because of the potential adverse effects of prostaglandin-inhibiting drugs on neonates.
SPRIX® should not be used concomitantly with IM/IV or oral ketorolac, aspirin, or other NSAIDs, or with probenecid or pentoxifylline. When ketorolac is administered with aspirin, its protein binding is reduced, although the clearance of free ketorolac is not altered. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of SPRIX® and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Do not use SPRIX® in patients for whom hemostasis is critical.
Clinical studies, as well as postmarketing observations, have shown that ketorolac can reduce the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients.
Concomitant use of ACE inhibitors and/or angiotensin II receptor antagonists may increase the risk of renal impairment, particularly in volume-depleted patients. NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors and/or angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Consider this interaction in patients taking SPRIX® concomitantly with ACE inhibitors and/or angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
Ketorolac can cause serious GI adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. Elderly patients are at increased risk for serious GI events.
Use SPRIX® with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function or a history of liver disease.
The pharmacologic activity of SPRIX® in reducing inflammation and fever may diminish the utility of these diagnostic signs in detecting infections.
Avoid contact of SPRIX® with the eyes. If eye contact occurs, wash out the eye with water or saline, and consult a physician if irritation persists for more than an hour.
Ketorolac can cause renal injury. SPRIX® Nasal Spray should be used with caution in patients with advanced renal disease or patients at risk for renal failure due to volume depletion and should be used with caution in patients taking diuretics or ACE inhibitors. Long-term administration of NSAIDs has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury such as interstitial nephritis and nephrotic syndrome.
NSAIDs can cause serious dermatologic adverse reactions such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can be fatal. These serious events may occur without warning. SPRIX® should be discontinued immediately in patients with skin reactions.
During pregnancy, use of SPRIX® beyond 30 weeks’ gestation can cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, resulting in fetal harm (Pregnancy Category D). Prior to 30 weeks’ gestation, SPRIX® should be used during pregnancy only if potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus (Pregnancy Category C).
NSAIDs can lead to onset of new hypertension or worsening of preexisting hypertension, either of which may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Patients taking thiazides or loop diuretics may have impaired response to these therapies when taking NSAIDs. Fluid retention, edema, retention of NaCI, oliguria, and elevations of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine have been reported in clinical trials with ketorolac. Only use SPRIX® very cautiously in patients with cardiac decompensation or similar conditions.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥2%) in patients treated with SPRIX® and occurring at a rate at least twice that of placebo are nasal discomfort, rhinalgia, increased lacrimation, throat irritation, oliguria, rash, bradycardia, decreased urine output, increased ALT and/or AST, hypertension, and rhinitis.
Treat patients for the shortest duration possible, and do not exceed 5 days of therapy with SPRIX®.
Please see accompanying complete Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.