Can 10mg of Ketorolac get you high?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can 10mg of Ketorolac get you high?
No, 10 mg of Ketorolac can not get you high. In fact, Ketorolac, in general, is not a medication that can cause euphoria, because it is a non-narcotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (1).
It does produce a high amount of analgesia or pain relief, almost similar to Morphine in some people, but it does not cause addiction and does not show up on a drug test like Morphine does (2).
Although it can’t get you high, Ketorolac is associated with some other side effects that may disturb you or make this medication unbearable for you.
As Ketorolac is much stronger than common OTC NSAIDs, you need to have a prescription to buy this medication (1). Make sure you take this medication only if prescribed by your doctor and take it only as much as recommended.
Ketorolac will not get you high on a high dose like Morphine can so don’t try and test your luck by taking a high dose of this medication. Overdosing on an NSAID – that too a strong NSAID – can cause disturbing side effects (1).
Always remember that proper use of meds is the key to achieving the best possible therapeutic outcome. If you’re experiencing unusual side effects on Ketorolac which are not common with this medication, like an allergic reaction, significant weight changes, etc – please reach out to your doctor.
How is Ketorolac different from drugs that get you high?
As stated earlier, Ketorolac is a medication classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is primarily used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and manage moderate to severe pain after surgery.
Ketorolac works by inhibiting certain enzymes in the body that are involved in the production of pain and inflammation (1).
Unlike drugs that are commonly associated with producing a euphoric or “high” effect, such as opioids or recreational substances, Ketorolac does not have the same psychoactive properties (3).
It does not directly affect the brain in a way that alters mood, perception, or consciousness to induce feelings of pleasure or euphoria.
It’s important to note that while Ketorolac is effective in treating pain, it does have potential side effects and should be used as directed by a healthcare provider.
It is not intended or recommended for recreational use, and using Ketorolac in a manner not prescribed by a healthcare professional can be dangerous and lead to adverse effects.
Can Ketorolac affect your health?
Ketorolac, like any medication, can have potential side effects. Here are some common side effects you may experience while taking Ketorolac: (1)
- Stomach upset: Ketorolac can irritate the stomach lining and lead to symptoms such as stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting. Taking Ketorolac with food or milk can help reduce the chances of stomach upset.
- Headache: Some individuals may experience headaches as a side effect of Ketorolac. If this occurs, it is typically mild and temporary.
- Dizziness or drowsiness: Ketorolac can cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. It’s important to avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, if you experience these side effects.
- Fluid retention and swelling: In rare cases, Ketorolac may cause fluid retention and swelling in the legs, ankles, or hands. If you notice significant swelling or weight gain, it’s important to seek medical attention.
- Increased bleeding: Ketorolac is known to have a blood-thinning effect, which can increase the risk of bleeding. If you have any existing bleeding disorders or are taking other blood-thinning medications, it’s important to inform your healthcare provider.
- Allergic reactions: Although rare, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to Ketorolac. Symptoms can include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction.
It’s important to remember that these side effects can vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience them. If you have any concerns about the side effects of Ketorolac or are experiencing any unusual symptoms while taking the medication, it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider.
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References
1.-
Mahmoodi AN, Kim PY. Ketorolac. 2022 Apr 9. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31424756. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545172
2.-
Cepeda MS, Carr DB, Miranda N, Diaz A, Silva C, Morales O. Comparison of morphine, ketorolac, and their combination for postoperative pain: results from a large, randomized, double-blind trial. Anesthesiology. 2005 Dec;103(6):1225-32. doi: 10.1097/00000542-200512000-00018. PMID: 16306736. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16306736/
3.-
Aro HJ, Hussain A, Bobrin BD. Controlled Substances. 2023 Apr 8. In: StarPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119270. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554383
