Comparison of ketorolac and diclofenac in the treatment of renal colic

To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of ketorolac and diclofenac in the treatment of renal colic. In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 57 patients admitted to the emergency room for renal colic, received either 30 mg of ketorolac or 75 mg of diclofenac i.m. (intramuscularly). Evaluations were performed at 1, 2 h and 6 h after treatment. Pain was assessed by a four-point verbal rating scale (VRS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS). Only patients with at least moderate pain according to the VRS were included. Seventy-five milligrams of pethidine i.m. was given as rescue medicine, if insufficient analgesia was achieved. The adverse effects recorded were sedation, nausea and vomiting. There was no significant difference between ketorolac and diclofenac, with respect to pain level over time, the number of patients requiring rescue medicine, or the level of adverse effects. Ketorolac and diclofenac are equally effective in the treatment of renal colic.