Ketorolac use approved for post-cataract surgery

Key Points

Irvine, CA-The FDA recently approved ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution 0.45% (Acuvail, Allergan) for treating pain and inflammation following cataract surgery.

Ketorolac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, is formulated at pH 6.8, enabling deionized drug delivery on the corneal surface. The ketorolac formulation also contains carboxymethylcellulose to enable the drug to adhere to the ocular surface to enhance patient comfort. Additionally, it inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which are considered the primary sources of pain and inflammation following cataract surgery.

"With its preservative-free formulation, optimized tolerability, and twice-daily dosing convenience, we anticipate that [the ketorolac formulation] will be a valuable addition to the overall management of cataract surgery patients," said Scott Whitcup, MD, Allergan's executive vice president, research and development, and chief scientific officer.