Daily Medication Pearl: Ketorolac Tromethamine Ophthalmic (Acuvail)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Ketorolac Tromethamine Ophthalmic (Acuvail)

Indication: Acuvail ophthalmic solution is a nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory indicated for the treatment of pain and inflammation following cataract surgery.

Insight:

• Dosing: One drop of Acuvail should be applied by the patient to the affected eye twice daily beginning 1 day prior to cataract surgery and continued through the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period.
• Dosage forms: Acuvail ophthalmic solution containing 4.5 mg/mL ketorolac tromethamine in a single-use vial. Thirty single-use vials filled with 0.4 mL of solution and 60 single-use vials filled with 0.4 mL of solution.
• Adverse events: Most common adverse reactions occurring in 1%-6% of patients were increased intraocular pressure, conjunctival hemorrhage, and blurred vision.
• Mechanism of action: Ketorolac tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which, when administered systemically, has demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic activity. The mechanism of its action is thought to be due to its ability to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis.

Source: label (fda.gov)