Indocin vs. Toradol

• Are Indocin and Toradol the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Indocin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Toradol?
• What Is Indocin?
• What Is Toradol?
• What Drugs Interact with Indocin?
• What Drugs Interact with Toradol?
• How Should Indocin Be Taken?
• How Should Toradol Be Taken?

Indocin (indomethacin), Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection and Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat pain from different causes.

Indocin and Indocin IV are used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, acute gouty arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.

Toradol is used to treat moderately severe pain and inflammation, usually after surgery.

The brand names Indocin and Toradol are no longer available in the U.S. but may be available as generics.

Side effects of Indocin and Toradol that are similar include vomiting, upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, dizziness, drowsiness, and headache.

Side effects of Indocin that are different from Toradol include a feeling of bowel fullness, rectal irritation, nervousness, skin rash, itching, and blurred vision.

Side effects of Toradol that are different from Indocin include nausea, stomach pain, sweating, and ringing in the ears.

Both Indocin and Toradol may interact with alcohol, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants, lithium, methotrexate, blood thinners, heart or blood pressure medications, diuretics (water pills), and steroids.

Indocin may also interact with trazodone, vilazodone, cyclosporine, and probenecid.

Toradol may also interact with antipsychotic medicines, seizure medicines, and aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Common side effects of Indocin include:

• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• diarrhea,
• a feeling of bowel fullness,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• rectal irritation,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• nervousness,
• headache,
• skin rash,
• itching, or
• blurred vision.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Indocin (indomethacin) and Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection including swelling of the hands or feet (edema), sudden or unexplained weight gain, hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears), mental/mood changes, difficult/painful swallowing, or unusual tiredness.

Common side effects of Toradol include:

• headache,
• heartburn,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• bloating,
• gas,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• sweating,
• and ringing in the ears.

Indocin (indomethacin) and Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, acute gouty arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. The brand name Indocin is no longer available in the U.S. but may be available as a generic termed indomethacin.

Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat moderately severe pain and inflammation, usually after surgery. Toradol works by blocking the production of prostaglandins, compounds that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. The brand name Toradol is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

In late pregnancy, Indocin (indomethacin and other NSAIDs) should be avoided because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Serious side effects of Indocin may include heart attack, stroke, skin changes (paleness, blisters, rash, and hives), weight gain, swelling, shortness of breath, tachycardia, unusual bleeding (including GI bleeding), jaundice, stomach pain, and pain with urination, bloody urine, blurry vision, and back pain. Patients with asthma that are aspirin-sensitive should avoid use of this drug. Indocin may reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors and increase lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) levels; use with aspirin or similar agents is not recommended. Caution is advised as Indocin may react with a number of other drugs so the prescribing physician will need a list of current medications. Indocin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus and infant; it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.

Drug interactions may occur with lithium, ACE inhibitors, warfarin, and medications used to treat high uric acid levels. Warnings may apply to individuals who have ulcers, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and bleeding disorders. People who are taking aspirin or NSAIDs should not take Toradol because of the cumulative risk of inducing serious NSAID-related side effects.

Indocin is available in capsules in strengths of 25 and 50 mg, in suspension strength of 25 mg per 5 ml and as a suppository in strength of 50 mg per suppository. Initial doses usually start at 25 mg three times daily. Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection Sterile Vial contains 1 mg Indocin and is used by specialists in infants to close a patent ductus arteriosus in the heart and is not commonly prescribed. Indocin (indomethacin) ordinarily should not be prescribed for pediatric patients under 15 years old.

Toradol is available as a 10 mg tablet and a solution (30 mg per ml) for intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) administration. Toradol solution is administered as a single 15- to 60-mg dose once every 6 hours not to exceed 60 or 120 mg a day. The recommended oral dose is one to two Toradol tablets initially followed by one tablet every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 40 mg daily. Toradol should not be used for more than 5 days.