Toradol vs Tramadol

Toradol vs. Tramadol for Pain Management

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Tramadol and Toradol are both prescription medications that doctors recommend to help manage severe pain. Although they’re both effective in pain management, they work differently, are used for different reasons, and each has a unique set of side effects. Here’s what you need to know about Toradol vs. Tramadol in terms of their uses, side effects, and more.

What’s Toradol?

Toradol contains ketorolac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain that requires strong pain management (comparable to opioid-level pain relief). Toradol is also commonly used after surgery to manage pain but is not recommended for use after heart bypass surgery.

Your doctor may administer Toradol through an injection into your muscle (intramuscular) or vein (intravenous). After the initial injections, Toradol can be continued orally (by mouth). It is FDA-approved for patients aged 18 years or older.

Common Side Effects of Toradol:

  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Indigestion

What’s Tramadol?

Tramadol is an opioid medication used to manage severe pain. The FDA has approved the use of tramadol in adults for pain that requires opioid-level medication. It is classified as a controlled substance, meaning there is a potential for dependence and abuse.

Due to these risks, tramadol is generally only used when non-opioid pain management medications are not effective or cannot be tolerated.

Doctors may also prescribe tramadol off-label to treat conditions such as:

  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Skin pain following shingles (postherpetic neuralgia)
  • Osteoarthritis pain

Common Side Effects of Tramadol:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Itching
  • Vertigo (spinning sensation)
  • Constipation
  • Sleepiness
  • Headache

Should You Avoid Tramadol or Toradol?

Both Tramadol and Toradol come with significant health risks and contraindications. Therefore, they should not be the first choice for all patients. Here are some conditions where these medications should be avoided:

Avoid Toradol if you have:

  • NSAID-induced or aspirin-induced hives or asthma
  • Samter’s triad (a combination of sinus issues with nasal polyps, aspirin sensitivity, and asthma)
  • Recently had or scheduled a CABG surgery (heart bypass)
  • A severe kidney problem
  • Active bleeding or blood clotting disorders
  • A history of ulcers or GI bleeding
  • Cerebrovascular hemorrhage (stroke due to bleeding in the brain)
  • Low plasma levels
  • Are pregnant or in labor

Avoid Tramadol if you have:

  • Taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days
  • Electrolyte abnormalities
  • Severe asthma
  • A history of drug addiction
  • Respiratory shock

Both medications require your doctor to assess your health condition before prescribing them. Always consult with your healthcare provider to understand when it is appropriate to use these medications.

Author Profile

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Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD
Diana Rangaves is a full-time writer, editor, award-winning teacher and pharmacist. She has work appearing in numerous venues, including children’s picture books, medical pharmaceutical books, scholastic books, and academic articles. Diana is the author of the Rosy Posy Papillion children’s series.

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