ACUVAIL ketorolac tromethamine 4.5 mg/mL Solution/ Drops, 5 vials
Other active recalls for Ketorolac Tromethamine (different manufacturers) — 3 · tap to view
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
Ophthalmic ketorolac is used to treat itchy eyes caused by allergies. It also is used to treat swelling and redness (inflammation) that can occur after cataract surgery. Ketorolac is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the release of substances that cause allergy symptoms and inflammation.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Ketorolac eye drops are used for two things: relieving itchy eyes from seasonal allergies, and reducing inflammation in the eye after cataract surgery. They belong to a class of dr...
- Yes, stinging and burning right after putting in the drops is the most commonly reported side effect — up to 40% of people in clinical studies noticed it. The good news is it's usu...
- Will these drops sting when I put them in?
- No — you should not put the drops in while you're wearing contact lenses. Remove your contacts before applying the drops, and wait before putting them back in. Your prescriber or t...
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Ketorolac Tromethamine — tap one for details:
Ketorolac Tromethamine may be associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient — worth a chat with your pharmacist, not a cause for alarm.
Where does this data come from?
Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
💊 What it looks like
Where does this data come from?
🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII K679OBS311
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium is a plant-derived thickening agent made from cellulose. In medicines, it acts as a binder to hold ingredients together, a disintegrant to help the tablet break apart, or a thickener in liquids.
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UNII QTT17582CB
A strong acid used to adjust and maintain the proper pH level in liquid medicines, ensuring stability and preventing breakdown of active ingredients.
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UNII 451W47IQ8X
Sodium chloride is common table salt. It's used in medicines as a buffer to maintain proper pH, as a filler to add bulk, or to adjust the osmotic balance in liquid formulations.
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UNII 55X04QC32I
A strong alkaline chemical used to adjust and maintain the pH balance of liquid medicines. It helps keep the medicine stable and ensures it stays effective during storage.
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UNII B22547B95K
A salt derived from citric acid that helps maintain the proper acid-base balance in the medicine. It's used as a buffer to keep the product stable and at the right pH level.
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UNII 059QF0KO0R
Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
6 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Can inactive ingredients matter?
💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs. | |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data. | |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly | No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data. | |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acuvail 4.5 mg/mLthis 00023-3507-05 | Allergan, | 5 vials | — | — | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
FDA-approved generic versions are listed, and recent pricing/market data suggests they may be available — see Therapeutic equivalents.
Why the date isn’t exact: Generic timing can change because patents may be challenged, settled, licensed, added, removed, or worked around with a narrower label — and FDA approval does not always mean a pharmacy can get the generic today.
🛈 What do these terms mean?
- Patent
- Legal protection listed in the Orange Book that may delay generic approval or launch. Issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
- Substance patent
- Covers the active drug molecule itself — the hardest to design around. A generic generally can’t launch until it expires.
- Formulation (product) patent
- Covers a specific formulation or dosage form. A generic can sometimes work around it with a different formulation.
- Method-of-use patent
- A patent covering one specific approved use of the drug — not necessarily the whole molecule. A generic can sometimes launch with a “skinny label” that carves out the protected use and keeps the others.
- Skinny label
- A generic label that omits a still-patented use when the FDA allows it — letting a generic reach the market for the unprotected uses.
- Exclusivity
- FDA-granted marketing protection, separate from patents — e.g. 5-yr new chemical entity, 7-yr orphan drug, or a +6-month pediatric extension.
- Paragraph IV
- A generic applicant’s formal challenge to a listed patent. It can potentially lead to earlier generic entry, but often involves litigation or a settlement.
- RLD / RS
- Reference Listed Drug — the brand product the FDA uses as the reference for generic applications. Reference Standard — the product the FDA expects generics to compare against in bioequivalence testing.
- TE / AB rating
- FDA therapeutic-equivalence rating. An AB rating generally means the FDA considers a generic therapeutically equivalent to — and substitutable for — the brand.
- LOE (loss of exclusivity)
- The latest patent or exclusivity currently listed — the loss-of-exclusivity / latest-listed-protection date shown on this page. Paragraph-IV challenges and settlements can move the real date earlier; FDA approval and a manufacturer’s decision to market can move it later.
Built from the FDA Orange Book. The bars above are scaled to each protection’s expiry; the red LOE marker is the last one to lapse.
| Patent | Type | Use code | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 8512717 ↗ | Drug product | — | Mar 7, 2028 |
| US 7842714 ↗ | Drug substance | — | Aug 15, 2029 |
| US 9192571 ↗ | Drug product | — | Mar 7, 2028 |
Is there a generic version of ACUVAIL 0.45% OPHTH SOLUTION?
The FDA approved a generic — why can’t I get it at my pharmacy yet?
Why do different websites show different generic release dates?
What does “FDA listed” mean?
What does a patent or protection date mean here?
What does “current Orange Book estimate” mean?
Can a generic come out before the last patent expires?
Can a generic come out after the listed dates?
What is the difference between patents and exclusivity?
Why are there multiple patent dates?
Where does this data come from?
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00023-3507-05 You're viewing this | 5 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (0023-3507-05) / .4 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | — | — | 2009-08-01 | Active |
| 00023-3507-31 | 30 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (0023-3507-31) / .4 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | $10.74 / ea | $322.10 | 2009-08-01 | Active |
This pack shows little to no recent Medicaid volume — a different pack size carries most fills. See all packs ↓
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 00023-3507-05?
What is the difference between NDC 00023-3507-05 and NDC 00023-3507-31?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of ACUVAIL ketorolac tromethamine 4.5 mg/mL Solution/ Drops?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
🧭 About this NDC listing & data coverage
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
| NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) | ✓ Available |
| Labeler | ✓ Available |
| Product & package description | ✓ Available |
| Marketing category & status | ✓ Available |
| Active ingredient / dosage form / route | ✓ Available |
| FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) | ✓ Available |
| Package photos | ✓ Available |
| Inactive ingredients (structured) | ✓ Available |
| NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) | — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey. |
| Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data | ✓ Available |
| HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk | — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal. |
| Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) | — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold. |
Questions about this listing
Why is there no price listed?
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
What do the three segments of this NDC mean?
Is this package still being marketed?
Does this product come in other package sizes?
Who lists this product with the FDA?
Do I need a prescription for this product?
Where does this data come from?
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ACUVAIL ® is indicated for the treatment of pain and inflammation following cataract surgery. ACUVAIL is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the treatment of pain and inflammation following cataract surgery. ( 1 )
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One drop of ACUVAIL should be applied to the affected eye twice daily beginning 1 day prior to cataract surgery, and continued through the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period. ( 2.1 )
2.1Recommended Dos age Apply one drop of ACUVAIL to the affected eye twice daily beginning 1 day prior to cataract surgery, continued on the day of surgery, and through the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period.
2.2Use W ith Other Topical Ophthalmic Medications ACUVAIL may be administered in conjunction with other topical ophthalmic medications such as alpha-agonists, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cycloplegics, and mydriatics. Drops should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.
💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ▾
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS ACUVAIL (ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution) is a sterile, clear, and colorless to pale yellow ophthalmic solution containing 0.45% (4.5 mg/mL) ketorolac tromethamine in a single-dose vial. ACUVAIL ophthalmic solution containing 0.45% (4.5 mg/mL) ketorolac tromethamine in a single-dose vial. ( 3 )
⛔ Contraindications ▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ACUVAIL is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. ( 4 )
⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Delayed healing ( 5.1 ) Cross-sensitivity or hypersensitivity ( 5.2 ) Increased bleeding time due to interference with thrombocyte aggregation ( 5.3 ) Corneal effects including keratitis ( 5.4 )
5.1Delayed Healing Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may slow or delay healing. Topical corticosteroids are also known to slow or delay healing. Concomitant use of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids may increase the potential for healing problems.
5. 2 Cross-Sensitivity or Hypersensitivity There is the potential for cross-sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylacetic acid derivatives, and other NSAIDs. There have been reports of bronchospasm or exacerbation of asthma associated with the use of ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution in patients who either have a known hypersensitivity to aspirin/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or a past medical history of asthma.
Therefore, caution should be used when treating individuals who have previously exhibited sensitivities to these drugs. 5. 3 Increased Bleeding Time With some NSAIDs, there exists the potential for increased bleeding time due to interference with thrombocyte aggregation.
There have been reports that ocularly applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause increased bleeding of ocular tissues (including hyphemas) in conjunction with ocular surgery. It is recommended that ACUVAIL be used with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications, which may prolong bleeding time. 5.
4 Corneal E ffects Use of topical NSAIDs may result in keratitis. In some susceptible patients, continued use of topical NSAIDs may result in epithelial breakdown, corneal thinning, corneal erosion, corneal ulceration, or corneal perforation. These events may be sight threatening.
Patients with evidence of corneal epithelial breakdown should immediately discontinue use of topical NSAIDs and should be closely monitored for corneal health. Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs suggests that patients with complicated ocular surgeries, corneal denervation, corneal epithelial defects, diabetes mellitus, ocular surface diseases (e.g., dry eye syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, or repeat ocular surgeries within a short period of time may be at increased risk for corneal adverse events which may become sight threatening.
Topical NSAIDs should be used with caution in these patients. Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs also suggests that use more than 1 day prior to surgery or use beyond 14 days post-surgery may increase patient risk for the occurrence and severity of corneal adverse events.
5.5Risk of Contamination Avoid allowing the tip of the single-dose vial to contact the eye or surrounding structures because this could cause the tip to become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections or cause injury to the eye. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.
5.6Contact Lens Wear ACUVAIL should not be administered while wearing contact lenses.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Delayed Healing [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Cross-Sensitivity or Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Increased Bleeding Time [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Corneal Effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Most common adverse reactions occurring in 1% to 6% of patients were increased intraocular pressure, conjunctival hemorrhage, and vision blurred. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie at 1-800-678-1605 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most common adverse reactions were reported in 1% to 6% of patients and included increased intraocular pressure, conjunctival hyperemia and/or hemorrhage, corneal edema, ocular pain, headache, tearing and vision blurred.
Some of these reactions may be the consequence of the cataract surgical procedure. Other adverse reactions occurring during treatment with ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solutions included allergic reactions (including eye swelling, hyperemia, and pruritis).
6.2Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solutions in clinical practice. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to the drug. Eye Disorders: Corneal erosion, corneal perforation, corneal thinning and corneal melt, epithelial breakdown [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 , 5.4 )] , and ulcerative keratitis.
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders : Bronchospasm, exacerbation of asthma.
👥 Use in Specific Populations ▾
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with ACUVAIL in pregnant women. No evidence of teratogenicity has been observed in rats or rabbits with ACUVAIL at clinically relevant doses. 8. 2 Lactation Risk Summary It is not known whether ketorolac when given topically is present in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when ACUVAIL is administered to a nursing woman.
8.4Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ACUVAIL have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 2 years old.
8.5Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and other adult patients.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with ACUVAIL in pregnant women. No evidence of teratogenicity has been observed in rats or rabbits with ACUVAIL at clinically relevant doses.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
8.4Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ACUVAIL have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 2 years old.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
8.5Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and other adult patients.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1Mechanism of Action Ketorolac tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which, when administered systemically, has demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic activity. The mechanism of its action is thought to be due to its ability to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis.
12.3Pharmacokinetics Two drops of 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution instilled into the eyes of patients 12 hours and 1 hour prior to cataract extraction achieved a mean ketorolac concentration of 95 ng/mL in the aqueous humor of 8 of 9 eyes tested (range 40 to 170 ng/mL). One drop of 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution was instilled into 1 eye and 1 drop of vehicle into the other eye three times daily in 26 healthy subjects. Five (5) of 26 subjects had detectable concentrations of ketorolac in their plasma (range 11 to 23 ng/mL) at Day 10 during topical ocular treatment.
The range of concentrations following three times daily dosing of 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution are approximately 4 to 8% of the steady state mean minimum plasma concentration observed following four times daily oral administration of 10 mg ketorolac in humans (290 ± 70 ng/mL).
🧬 Mechanism of Action ▾
12.1Mechanism of Action Ketorolac tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which, when administered systemically, has demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic activity. The mechanism of its action is thought to be due to its ability to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING ACUVAIL (ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution) 0.45% is supplied as a sterile, clear, and colorless to pale yellow ophthalmic solution in clear, low density polyethylene (LDPE), single-dose vials packaged in 3 foil pouches, 10 vials per pouch: 30 Single-Dose Vials 0.4 mL each (Carton containing 3 pouches): NDC 0023-3507-31 Storage : Store at 15 o C to 30ºC (59 o F to 86ºF). Store the vials in the pouch, protected from light. Fold pouch ends closed.
The solution from one individual single-dose vial is to be used immediately after opening. The remaining vial contents should be discarded.
📋 Description ▾
11 DESCRIPTION ACUVAIL (ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution) 0.45% is a member of the pyrrolo-pyrrole group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for topical ophthalmic use. Its chemical name is (±)-5-Benzoyl-2,3-dihydro-1 H -pyrrolizine-1-carboxylic acid, compound with 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (1:1), and its molecular weight is 376.40. Its molecular formula is C 19 H 24 N 2 O 6 .
Its chemical structure is: ACUVAIL solution is supplied as a sterile isotonic aqueous 0.45% solution, with a pH of approximately 6.8. ACUVAIL solution contains a racemic mixture of R-(+) and S-(-)- ketorolac tromethamine. Ketorolac tromethamine may exist in three crystal forms.
All forms are equally soluble in water. The pKa of ketorolac is 3.5. This white to off-white crystalline substance discolors on prolonged exposure to light.
The osmolality of ACUVAIL solution is approximately 285 mOsml/kg. Each mL of ACUVAIL ophthalmic solution contains: Active: ketorolac tromethamine 0.45%. Inactives: carboxymethylcellulose sodium; sodium chloride; sodium citrate dihydrate; and purified water with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH.
ACUVAIL does not contain an anti-microbial preservative. The chemical structure for ACUVAIL® (ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution) 0.45% is a member of the pyrrolo-pyrrole group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for ophthalmic use. Its chemical name is (±)-5-Benzoyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizine-1-carboxylic acid, compound with 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (1:1), and its molecular weight is 376.40.
Its molecular formula is C19H24N2O6.
💬 Information for Patients ▾
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Slow or Delayed Healing Advise patients of the possibility that slow or delayed healing may occur while using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Avoiding Contamination of the Product Instruct patients that the solution from one individual single-dose vial is to be used immediately after opening for administration to the affected eye. The remaining vial contents should be discarded.
Instruct patients to avoid allowing the tip of the single-dose vial to contact the eye or surrounding structures because this could cause the tip to become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections or cause injury to the eye. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. Store the vials in the pouch, protected from light.
Fold pouch ends closed. Contact Lens Wear Advise patients that ACUVAIL should not be administered while wearing contact lenses. Intercurrent Ocular Conditions Advise patients that if they develop an intercurrent ocular condition (e.g., trauma or infection) or have ocular surgery, they should immediately seek their physician’s advice concerning the continued use of ACUVAIL.
Concomitant Topical Ocular Therapy Advise patients that if more than one topical ophthalmic medication is being used, the medicines should be administered at least 5 minutes apart. Distributed by: AbbVie Inc. North Chicago, IL 60064 © 2024 AbbVie.
All rights reserved. ACUVAIL and its design are trademarks of Allergan, Inc., an AbbVie company. V3.0USPI3507 Shape Description automatically generated