Ketorolac versus diclofenac sodium in cancer pain

In a randomized single-blind study carried out simultaneously in five Departments for Pain Therapy and Palliative Care, the analgesic efficacy and side effects fo oral ketorolac (ketorolac tromethamine, Tora-Dol® CAS 74103-07-4) and diclofenac sodium were compared in a population of 100 advanced cancer patients suffering from somatic and/or visceral pain. The treatment was carried out in agreement with the first step of the WHO pharmacological strategy in cancer pain. The administered dosage was 10 mg every 6 h for ketorolac and 50 mg every 8 h for diclofenac sodium. The study showed the efficacy of both drugs in cancer pain. A greater number of keterolac patients could pass to the second WHO step later than diclofenac patients