{"id":10782,"date":"2020-04-16T10:23:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T14:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=10782"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:52:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:52:04","slug":"toradol-vs-tramadol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/toradol-vs-tramadol\/","title":{"rendered":"Toradol vs. tramadol: Uses, effectiveness, costs, side effects, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toradol (ketorolac) and <\/span>tramadol<\/span><\/a> (generic Ultram) are two prescription medications that are approved by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) for pain relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Toradol is classified as a <\/span>non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)<\/span><\/a>. Toradol helps to relieve pain and decrease inflammation. The way Toradol works is not completely understood, but it is speculated to work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are part of cell-signaling pathways that lead to pain and inflammation. By inhibiting prostaglandin production, Toradol helps with pain and inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol is classified as an <\/span>opioid<\/span><\/a> analgesic. It is a controlled substance, meaning that it has some potential for abuse and dependence. The way it works is not completely understood but is believed to be by binding to opioid receptors as well as inhibiting the euptake of<\/span> norepinephrine and serotonin, resulting in pain relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although toradol and tramadol are both used for pain, they have many differences. Continue reading below to learn more about toradol and tramadol.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between Toradol and tramadol?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Toradol <\/span>(What is Toradol?)<\/span><\/a> is classified as an NSAID or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prescription drug. Toradol is a brand name that is no longer available in the US. It is available in generic form, as ketorolac, and can be injected into a vein (IV, or intravenous, injection) or muscle (IM, or intramuscular, injection). It is also available in tablet form, as 10 mg tablets, as a nasal spray called Sprix, and as an ophthalmic solution (eye drop) called <\/span>Acular<\/span><\/a>. A patient must have the IV or IM form before using the tablet form, and the total length of treatment (IV\/IM\/tablet\/nasal spray) should not exceed five days. This is to limit the risk of potentially serious side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol <\/span>(What is Tramadol?)<\/span><\/a> is the generic version of Ultram. It is an opioid analgesic (pain reliever) listed as a <\/span>DEA Schedule IV<\/span><\/a> controlled substance. It is available in tablet form, as well as extended-release tablet, capsule, and liquid solution form called <\/span>Qdolo<\/span><\/a>. It is also available as Ultracet, which contains tramadol and acetaminophen (acetaminophen is generic Tylenol, also known as APAP).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nToradol<\/b><\/td>\nTramadol<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/span><\/td>\nNSAID<\/span><\/td>\nOpioid analgesic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric (ketorolac)<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/span><\/p>\n

Or<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the brand name?<\/span><\/td>\n

Generic: ketorolac (ketorolac tromethamine)<\/span><\/td>\nBrand: Ultram<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/span><\/td>\nIV (intravenous), IM (intramuscular), tablet, nasal spray, ophthalmic solution<\/span><\/td>\nTablet,<\/span><\/p>\n

extended-release capsule,\u00a0 extended-release tablet, liquid solution<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/span><\/td>\nTablet used as a continuation of IV or IM ketorolac.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For adults, 20 mg once if weight is more than 50 kg and age less than 65 years, then 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maximum of 40 mg\/day\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to exceed 5 total days of treatment\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

The adult dose is slowly titrated up to 50 mg to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maximum 400 mg per day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

How long is the typical treatment?<\/span><\/td>\n5 days or less<\/span><\/td>\nShort term, some patients continue for longer based on the prescriber\u2019s discretion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/span><\/td>\nAdults only for oral formulation<\/span><\/td>\nAdults<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Conditions treated by Toradol and Tramadol<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to the FDA warning on its label, ketorolac is only indicated in adults for the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain, usually in a post-operative (after surgery) setting, that requires opioid-level pain relief. Treatment with oral tablets should only follow IV or IM dosing. Total length of treatment with Toradol should not exceed five days. It is not indicated for minor pain or for chronic pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol is indicated in adults with pain intensity severe enough to require an opioid pain reliever when non-opioid alternatives are not adequate or not tolerated<\/span>. NSAIDs and acetaminophen are the most common other <\/span>analgesic options<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Toradol or tramadol more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> in India compared Toradol to tramadol for post-op pain after maxillofacial surgery in 50 adults. Both drugs were given IM (intramuscular). Both drugs caused a significant decrease in pain, but tramadol resulted in better pain control than Toradol at every hour and was better tolerated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another <\/span>study<\/span><\/a>\u00a0looked at the two drugs for postoperative pain and compared oral Toradol to IM tramadol. The study found Toradol to be more helpful for pain relief than tramadol. Another <\/span>clinical trial<\/span><\/a> looked at the use of both drugs concurrently along with acetaminophen versus ketorolac alone after mandibular third molar surgery, and the combination was marginally but not significantly better than ketorolac alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though one study concluded tramadol was better, and other studies concluded that Toradol was better, some of the studies were done in other countries where tramadol was given by injection into the muscle or combined with other analgesics. In the US, tramadol is prescribed as an oral tablet in the outpatient setting. Toradol, or ketorolac, is given IV or IM by a healthcare provider and possibly continued with oral tablets for up to a maximum of five days. Therefore, it is difficult to extrapolate these results in terms of what you would generally be prescribed here in the US.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, each drug can be very effective in treating pain. Often, other factors must be considered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your doctor, who is the best source of medical advice, should determine the most effective drug for you. He or she can consider your medical history and condition(s) and other drugs you take that could potentially interact with toradol or tramadol.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of Toradol vs. tramadol<\/span><\/h2>\n

Toradol is usually covered by insurance, and Medicare Part D coverage varies. <\/span>The out-of-pocket cost of generic Toradol (#20, 10 mg tablets) is about $67. With a <\/span>SingleCare coupon<\/span><\/a>, the generic cost for this quantity and strength of tablets starts at $12.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol is usually covered by insurance and Medicare Part D. The out-of-pocket cost of tramadol (#30, 50 mg tablets) is about $33. You can get the same strength and amount of generic tramadol tablets with a <\/span>SingleCare discount coupon<\/span><\/a> for $7, depending on which pharmacy you use.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nToradol<\/b><\/td>\nTramadol<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/span><\/td>\nYes (generic)<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/span><\/td>\n#20, 10 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n#30, 50 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical Medicare Part D copay<\/span><\/td>\nFree to $14<\/span><\/td>\nFree to $1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/span><\/td>\n$12-$26<\/span><\/td>\n$7-$24<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Common side effects of Toradol vs. tramadol<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most common side effects of Toradol are GI (gastrointestinal) in nature, including abdominal pain, indigestion, and nausea, which tend to occur in more than 1 in 10 people according to <\/span>ketorolac\u2019s label<\/span><\/a>. Most concerning, GI bleeding and ulcers are possible. Aside from GI side effects, headaches can commonly occur with Toradol, and kidney damage is a major worry. The adverse effects include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n