Toradol vs. Dilaudid

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

Toradol (ketorolac tromethamine) and Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and Dilaudid Injection (also termed Dilaudid HP) are pain relievers used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Toradol is also used to treat inflammation.

Toradol and Dilaudid are different types of pain relievers. Toradol is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and Dilaudid is an opioid analgesic (opiate).

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

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.

Common side effects of Dilaudid include:

• flushing (warmth,
• redness, or tingling of skin),
• itching,
• sweating,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• headache,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• strange dreams, and
• dry mouth.

Serious side effects of Dilaudid include

• shallow, weak, or very slow breathing,
• trouble breathing,
• slow heart rate,
• confusion,
• lightheadedness or fainting,
• seizures (convulsions),
• cold clammy skin,
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest,
• wheezing,
• confusion,
• severe weakness or drowsiness,
• mental/mood changes (such as agitations, confusion, hallucinations),
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• difficulty urinating, or
• death.

After a few weeks of use, patients may develop both tolerance and physical dependence on Dilaudid and may need to be slowly weaned off the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

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.

Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and Dilaudid Injection (also termed Dilaudid HP) are the tablet, liquid and IV forms of an opioid analgesic used for control of moderate to severe pain.

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.

Opioids could cause a rare but potentially life-threatening condition resulting from concomitant administration of serotonergic drugs.

Dilaudid may also interact with atropine, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medicines, bronchodilators, irritable bowel medicines, or ulcer medications.

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.

Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient's severity of pain, patient response, prior analgesic treatment experience, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse. Monitor patients closely for respiratory depression, especially within the first 24-72 hours of initiating therapy and following dosage increases with DILAUDID INJECTION or DILAUDID-HP INJECTION and adjust the dosage accordingly.