Can you get a prescription pain gel online without an office visit? Yes, in most of the US. This guide answers the questions people ask most before ordering Ketro RX: Pain Gel, from how the online provider review works to what it costs, what is in the jar and when the non-prescription CALM cream is the better fit.
Quick answer: To get a prescription pain gel online, you complete a short medical questionnaire, a licensed provider reviews it, and if approved, a pharmacy compounds the gel and ships it to you. Ketro runs this process for its RX: Pain Gel with 3% ketorolac, which costs $150 as a one-time order. The provider review is included in that price, and if the provider decides the gel is not right for you, Ketro says you pay nothing.
What is a prescription pain gel?
A prescription pain gel is a topical product with an active ingredient at a strength that requires a prescriber’s sign-off. Ketro RX: Pain Gel uses ketorolac tromethamine, an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), at 3%. It belongs to the same broad drug class as ibuprofen, but it is applied to the skin over a specific area rather than swallowed.
Because the gel contains a prescription-only ingredient, you cannot simply add it to a cart and check out. A licensed provider has to review your medical history first. If you want the background on how topical and oral options differ, our guide to topical vs oral pain relief walks through the basics.
How does the online provider review work?
Ketro describes the process in four steps:
- Order and answer the questionnaire. When you order the RX gel, you complete a short online medical questionnaire about your history, current medications and the area you want to use it on.
- A licensed provider reviews it. Ketro says medical evaluations and prescribing are handled by licensed providers through its telehealth partner, Beluga Health. There is no office visit and no separate appointment to book.
- If approved, the gel is compounded. Each jar is compounded per order by Precision Compounding Pharmacy & Wellness, a licensed US compounding pharmacy in Bellmore, New York.
- It ships to your door. The prescription ships directly to you. Questions about the prescription itself go to your prescribing provider through the Beluga Health patient portal.
Two points are worth repeating. First, approval is not automatic. The provider decides whether the gel is appropriate for you, and the answer can be no. Second, the provider also sets how you use it, including how often and for how long, so follow the directions on your prescription label rather than anything you read online.
What happens if the provider says no?
Ketro states that if your provider determines the gel is not right for you, you pay nothing and receive a full refund. That makes the questionnaire a low-risk way to find out whether a prescription topical is an option for you.
Is the consultation a separate charge?
No. Ketro says the provider review is included in your order and is never billed separately. Some telehealth services charge a visit fee on top of the medication, so this is worth knowing when you compare costs.
How much does Ketro RX: Pain Gel cost?
Prices below were read on Ketro’s site on November 7, 2026.
Ketro RX: Pain Gel (prescription)
- One-time order: $150, listed in an unscented 100 mL option and a yuzu-scented 150 mL option
- Subscribe and Save, monthly plan: $130 per month
- Subscribe and Save, 90-day plan: from $110 per month, which Ketro calls its best value
- Included: the online provider review
- Subscription terms: Ketro says you can cancel, pause or change frequency at any time
If you are not sure how often you will use it, a one-time order lets you see how the gel fits your routine before you commit to a plan. If your provider has set you up for regular use, the 90-day plan has the lowest monthly figure.
What is in the gel?
Ketro lists three ingredients for the RX gel:
- Ketorolac tromethamine 3%: the active prescription ingredient.
- DMSO: included, according to the brand, to help the gel absorb through the skin.
- Olive oil: a carrier ingredient.
The brand describes the texture as a lightweight gel that absorbs quickly without a greasy film or a strong menthol smell. Since the yuzu option is scented, choose the unscented jar if you are sensitive to fragrance.
Where is the prescription gel available?
Ketro’s FAQ lists every jurisdiction where its telehealth and pharmacy partners are licensed. As of November 7, 2026, that list covers all 50 states plus Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Virgin Islands. The brand says it updates the list as coverage changes, so check the Ketro FAQ page before you order if you live outside the continental US.
Do I need the prescription gel, or is the OTC cream enough?
Ketro sells two separate products, and it is important to keep them apart:
| RX: Pain Gel | CALM: Magnesium Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Prescription (ketorolac 3%) | Non-prescription (OTC) |
| Provider review | Required, included in price | Not needed |
| Price (one-time) | $150 | $50 for 150 mL |
| Intended use, per brand | Localized pain, used as directed by your prescriber | Everyday muscle tension and post-workout recovery |
The CALM magnesium cream is the simpler option if you want a daily topical for tight shoulders after desk work or sore legs after training and you do not need a prescription product. We cover it in more detail in our magnesium cream guide. If your provider approves the RX gel and you want both, Ketro sells them together as The Stack for $200, which we compared in our topical pain relief bundle article.
More common questions
Can I order a prescription pain gel online without seeing a doctor in person?
With Ketro, yes. The review happens online through a questionnaire read by a licensed provider. You do not need an office visit, but you do need the provider’s approval.
How long does the provider review take?
Ketro does not publish a set turnaround time for the review, so we will not guess one. The FAQ says that once approved, the prescription ships directly to you.
Can I use the RX gel if I already take other medications?
That is exactly what the questionnaire is for. List every medication and supplement you take, including other pain relievers, and let the provider decide. Do not combine products on your own.
Is a compounded gel the same as a brand-name drugstore gel?
No. A compounded gel is prepared by a licensed pharmacy for an individual prescription. Ketro’s RX gel uses ketorolac, an ingredient that requires a prescription. Drugstore topicals use different ingredients and strengths.
Is Ketro’s prescription gel scented?
There are two listed options: unscented and yuzu. The CALM cream is unscented.
Can I cancel a subscription?
Ketro says you can cancel, pause or adjust the delivery frequency at any time, with no commitment.
Editor’s note: We have not used these products. Product details, prices, availability and the review process come from Ketro’s website, read on November 7, 2026. Approval for any prescription product is decided by a licensed provider. Nothing here is medical advice; talk to your own clinician about pain that is severe, new or lasting. See how we choose for more on our process.
The bottom line
Getting a prescription pain gel online is a short process with Ketro: answer a questionnaire, get a licensed provider review that is included in the price, and if approved, receive a gel compounded for you and shipped to your door. If the provider says no, Ketro refunds the order. For everyday muscle tension that does not call for a prescription, the $50 CALM cream is the simpler place to start.
Some of the brands mentioned in this article may have a prior working engagement with this publication.
