Drug Status in USA : Approved Drug Status in Canada : Approved
pronunciation
pronounced as (in doe meth' a sin)
Why is this medication prescribed?
Indomethacin is used to relieve moderate to severe pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Indomethacin is also used to treat pain in the shoulder caused by bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint) and tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone). Indomethacin immediate-release capsules, suspension (liquid) and suppositories are also used to treat acute gouty arthritis (attacks of severe joint pain and swelling caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints). Indomethacin is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.
How should this medicine be used?
Indomethacin comes as a capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and a suspension to take by mouth and as a suppository to be used rectally. Indomethacin capsules and liquid usually are taken two to four times a day. Indomethacin suppositories usually are used two to four times daily. Extended-release capsules are usually taken one or two times a day. Indomethacin capsules, extended-release capsules, and suspension should be taken with food, immediately after meals, or with antacids. Take indomethacin at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take indomethacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the extended-release capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
Your doctor may change the dose of your medication during your treatment. In some cases, your doctor may start you on a low dose of indomethacin and gradually increase your dose, not more often than once a week. In other cases, your doctor may start you on an average dose of indomethacin and decrease your dose once your symptoms are controlled. Follow these directions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
To use indomethacin suppositories, follow these steps: Remove the wrapper.Dip the tip of the suppository in water.Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)Using your finger, insert the suppository about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) into the rectum. Hold it in place for a few moments.Stand up after about 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.You should try to keep the suppository in place and avoid having a bowel movement for 1 hour after you insert the suppository.
What are the precautions to be followed?
Before taking indomethacin,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to indomethacin, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in indomethacin capsules, suspension, extended release capsules, or suppositories. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers such as candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar. in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), and valsartan (in Diovan HCT, in Exforge); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills') such as triamterene (Dyrenium, in Dyazide); lithium (Lithobid); methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); and probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); heart failure; seizures; Parkinson's disease; depression or mental illness; or liver or kidney disease. If you will be using indomethacin suppositories, also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) or have or have recently had rectal bleeding.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy; you plan to become pregnant; or you are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking indomethacin, call your doctor.
talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking indomethacin if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take indomethacin because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking indomethacin.
you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with indomethacin. Alcohol can make the side effects of indomethacin worse.
What are possible side effects of this medication ?
Indomethacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
headache
dizziness
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
irritation of the rectum
constant feeling of the need to empty the bowel
ringing in the ears
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more indomethacin until you speak to your doctor.
unexplained weight gain
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
swelling in the abdomen, ankles, feet, or legs
fever
blisters
rash
itching
hives
swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, throat, or hands
difficulty breathing or swallowing
hoarseness
pale skin
fast heartbeat
excessive tiredness
unusual bleeding or bruising
lack of energy
nausea
loss of appetite
pain in the upper right part of the stomach
flu-like symptoms
yellowing of the skin or eyes
cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
back pain
difficult or painful urination
blurred vision or other problems with sight
Indomethacin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
Drug Category/Class
Gout Suppressants
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
Cardiovascular Agents
Tocolytic Agents
Musculo-Skeletal System
Cardiac Therapy
Acetic Acid Derivatives and Related Substances
Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products, Non-Steroids
Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products
Antiinflammatory Preparations, Non-Steroids for Topical Use
Topical Products for
Prescribed
For moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis including acute flares of chronic disease, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, acute painful should...