Premium
Self‐Administration of Parenteral Ketorolac Tromethamine for Head Pain
Author(s) -
Turkewitz L. Jay,
Casaly Joseph S.,
Dawson Gregory A.,
Wirth Oliver,
Hurst Reina J.,
Gillette Pamela L.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1992.hed3209452.x
Subject(s) - ketorolac tromethamine , ketorolac , medicine , anesthesia , aura , pain relief , intramuscular injection , migraine , analgesic
SYNOPSIS Sixty‐one separate self‐injections of ketorolac tromethamine (ToradolÒ) by 16 patients diagnosed with episodic migraine with or without aura were evaluated over a 90‐day period for safety, efficacy of painreduction, and the ability of this therapy program to prevent the necessitation of emergency room acute care. Prior to initiation of treatment, patients were formally instructed on intramuscular injection techniques by a member of our nursing staff. Patients were instructed to call upon the onset of a severeheadache interfering with daily functioning and, then, were permitted to proceed with the injection. Headache intensity ratings were collected prior to injection and intermittently for the following twenty‐four hours. The results demonstrate safety and efficacy of this form of therapy. A significant percent of ketorolac usages (64%) resulted in a good response and significant reduction in head pain. Twenty‐three percent of ketorolac usages resulted in a mild response and only 13% of usages provided no relief. Furthermore, 13% of all usages failed to prevent the necessitation for emergency room treatment. The results are discussed in terms of the impact of self‐injection on pain relief and substantial cost‐reduction by decreasing emergency room utilization.