Arthrotec vs. Toradol

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

Arthrotec (diclofenac sodium/misoprostol) and Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine) are both used to treat different types of pain.

Arthrotec is used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in people at high risk for developing stomach or intestinal ulcers.

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

The brand name Toradol is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Arthrotec and Toradol both contain a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and Arthrotec also contains a prostaglandin that protects the stomach from irritating effects of NSAIDs.

Side effects of Arthrotec and Toradol that are similar include diarrhea, upset stomach or stomach pain, nausea, bloating, gas, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, or ringing in the ears.

Side effects of Arthrotec that are different from Toradol include blurred vision or unusual vaginal bleeding.

Side effects of Toradol that are different from Arthrotec include heartburn, vomiting, constipation, or sweating.

Common side effects of Arthrotec include:

• nausea,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• blurred vision,
• ringing in your ears, or
• unusual vaginal bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Arthrotec including:

• difficult or painful swallowing,
• swelling of the hands or feet,
• sudden or unexplained weight gain,
• vision changes,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., depression),
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• persistent or severe headache,
• fainting,
• menstrual problems/irregular periods,
• unusual tiredness,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat),
• changes in the amount of urine, or
• unexplained stiff neck.

Common side effects of Toradol include:

• heartburn,
• stomach or abdominal pain,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• skin rash,
• headache,
• blurred vision,
• ringing in your ears, and
• itching.

Arthrotec (diclofenac sodium/misoprostol) is a combination non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a prostaglandin that protects the stomach from irritating effects of NSAIDs used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in people at high risk for developing stomach or intestinal ulcers. Arthrotec is available in generic form. Common side effects of Arthrotec include diarrhea and upset stomach or stomach pain within a few weeks after you start taking this medication, and usually last for about 1 week.

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.

Arthrotec may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), insulin or oral diabetes medicine, lithium, methotrexate, phenobarbital, steroids, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or ACE inhibitors. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Arthrotec must not be used during pregnancy. It can harm the fetus and mother. Use birth control while taking this medication. This medication passes into breast milk. However, this drug is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

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.

For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the recommended dose of Arthrotec is 50 mg diclofenac sodium/200 mcg misoprostol or 75 mg diclofenac sodium/200 mcg misoprostol.

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.