Xevolac Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Ketorolac tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It has an activity as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity. It may inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins in tissues by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that catalyzes the formulation of prostaglandin precursors (endoperoxides) from arachidonic acid.
Pharmacokinetics: Ketorolac tromethamine is absorbed after intramuscular or oral doses. At physiological pH ketorolac tromethamine dissociates to form an anionic ketorolac molecule which is less hydrophilic than the tromethamine salt. The peak plasma concentration of ketorolac is reached within about 30 to 60 minutes; absorption after intramuscular injection may be slower than that after oral doses in some individuals. Ketorolac is over 99% bound to plasma proteins. It does not readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Ketorolac crosses the placenta and small amounts of drug are distributed into breast milk. The terminal plasma half-life is about 4 to 6 hours, but is about 6 to 7 hours in the elderly and 9 to 10 hours in patients with renal dysfunction. The major metabolic pathway is glucuronic acid conjugation; there is some para-hydroxylation. About 90% of a dose is excreted in urine as unchanged drug and conjugated and hydroxylated metabolites, the remainder is excreted in the faeces.