Which route is NOT a valid administration route for ketorolac?

Which route is NOT a valid administration route for ketorolac?

• A. Subcutaneous
• B. Oral
• C. IV
• D. IM

Answer: (A)

Ketorolac is used for short-term acute pain and must reach therapeutic levels quickly and predictably. The parenteral options that reliably achieve this are intramuscular and intravenous administration, which deliver consistent bioavailability and rapid analgesia. An oral formulation exists, but it’s used less often because of variability in absorption and higher GI risk, so it’s not the preferred route in most acute settings, though it is technically a valid option in some contexts. Subcutaneous administration isn’t a supported route for ketorolac. There’s no approved subcutaneous form, and absorption from subcutaneous tissue would be unpredictable, with potential for local irritation and inconsistent analgesic effect. That’s why subcutaneous administration isn’t used clinically for this drug.

Ketorolac is used for short-term acute pain and must reach therapeutic levels quickly and predictably. The parenteral options that reliably achieve this are intramuscular and intravenous administration, which deliver consistent bioavailability and rapid analgesia. An oral formulation exists, but it’s used less often because of variability in absorption and higher GI risk, so it’s not the preferred route in most acute settings, though it is technically a valid option in some contexts.

Subcutaneous administration isn’t a supported route for ketorolac. There’s no approved subcutaneous form, and absorption from subcutaneous tissue would be unpredictable, with potential for local irritation and inconsistent analgesic effect. That’s why subcutaneous administration isn’t used clinically for this drug.