European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine ketorolac tromethamine (KT) is a heteroaryl acetic acid derivative and works by reducing inflammation. It is a racemate version of a nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. In particular, the S-isomer retains its analgesic and COX-inhibiting properties. The tromethamine salt of ketorolac may be taken orally, injected intramuscularly or intravenously, or used topically in the form of an ocular solution. Several formulation techniques have been developed for the correct distribution of KT due to the short mean plasma half-life (t1/2, 5.5 h) and the high incidence of gastrointestinal problems such as gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, and peptic ulcers. This article summarises the key ideas that have guided the development of diverse pharmacological dosage forms for the therapeutically efficient distribution of the drug candidate through different pathways. The development of prolonged-release formulations of the medicine is now receiving a lot of attention since it may help achieve the desired therapeutic effectiveness and improved tolerance with fewer gastrointestinal side effects.