Acular (Ketorolac Trometamol)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Acular Used For?
Acular is an eye drop medication that contains ketorolac trometamol, which helps reduce inflammation, pain, and itching in the eyes.
Primary Uses
Acular is used in adults to treat itchy eyes caused by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and to prevent and relieve swelling and redness after cataract surgery.
How It Works
Ketorolac trometamol works by decreasing prostaglandin E2 levels in the eye. Prostaglandins are naturally produced by the body and are associated with pain, itching, and inflammation.
How to Take Acular
Your doctor will determine the exact dosage and duration based on your specific condition. Always follow their instructions carefully.
Dosage Instructions
For seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: Use one drop in affected eye(s) four times each day for up to four weeks. For cataract surgery: Use one to two drops in affected eye(s) four times each day, starting 24 hours before surgery and continuing for up to 4 weeks as advised by your doctor. Remove soft contact lenses before applying drops and wait 15 minutes before reinserting them.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget a dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. If it’s not close to your next dose time, apply the drops as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never use double the number of drops to make up for a missed dose.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Burning and stinging when applying drops
- Blurred vision
- Eye itching and redness
- Eye irritation or feeling something in the eye
- Eye pain
- Drooping upper eyelid
- Swollen eyelid
- Sensitivity to light
- Dry eye
- Vision changes
- Headache
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- White deposit on the front part of the eye
- Bleeding of the retina
- Swelling of the central retina area
- Swelling of the front eye layer or colored part
- White spots on eye surface
- Lesion on front eye layer
- Increased eye pressure
- Eye or surrounding area infection
- Bronchospasm
- Worsening asthma
- Severe allergic reaction with tongue, lip, throat swelling and breathing difficulty
Important Warnings
Before using Acular, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Acular
Do not use Acular if you are allergic to ketorolac trometamol or any ingredients in the drops, if you have ever had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs, if the seal is broken, if the packaging shows tampering, if the product doesn’t look right, or if it’s past the expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: stomach ulcers, lung problems like asthma or bronchospasm, eye surface problems, other eye conditions like dry eye syndrome, recent eye surgery, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bleeding or bruising disorders, or if you’re using other topical NSAIDs.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Acular is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Acular works, or Acular may affect how other medications work.
- Other eye medicines including similar NSAIDs
- Steroids (may slow healing after surgery when used together)
Alcohol & Driving
Take precautions with activities requiring clear vision after using Acular drops.
Alcohol
There is no specific information available about the effects of using Acular with alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Wait for your vision to clear completely after using Acular before driving or operating machinery.
Storage
Store Acular in a cool place below 30°C, away from heat and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Discard the bottle 4 weeks after first opening it.
Overdose Information
If you use too much Acular, immediately rinse your eyes with warm water. If accidentally swallowed, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if no symptoms appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acular begins working by decreasing prostaglandin levels in the eye, but the exact time to feel relief may vary. For seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, continue using as directed for up to four weeks. For post-surgery use, follow your doctor’s timeline.
No, do not use Acular drops while wearing soft contact lenses. Remove them before applying the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them, as the preservative may cause discoloration.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, apply the drops as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never use double the number of drops to make up for a missed dose.
Wash your hands, remove contact lenses if worn, tilt your head back, pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch, squeeze one drop into the pouch without touching the dropper to your eye, close your eye and press the inner corner for 2 minutes.
No, do not use Acular for longer than instructed without checking with your doctor. For seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, use for up to four weeks. For cataract surgery, follow your doctor’s specific timeline.
Blurred vision is a common side effect. Wait for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery. If blurred vision persists or worsens, contact your doctor.
Using Acular with other eye medicines, including similar NSAIDs and steroids, may slow down healing after surgery. Always tell your doctor about all eye medications you’re using.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.