Central effect of ketorolac involving NMDA receptors activity.

Possible central mechanisms underlying the analgesic action of Ketorolac, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) have been investigated using an iontophoretic approach. We found that the excitation induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) on spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons was prevented, or reduced, by Ketorolac applied before or after the start of the NMDA ejection. The data suggest that Ketorolac can achieve its central analgesic effect by interfering with the NMDA receptor activity on the spinal neurons.