Indomethacin

Indomethacin is a medication that is often used to relieve pain caused by various types of arthritis and other painful conditions. Sold under the brand name Indocin, the medication is also available as a generic. Indomethacin belongs to a class of drugs known as NSAIDs and is commonly used to treat the symptoms of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout. The medicine is available in capsule, oral suspension, and suppository form.

 

What Is Indomethacin?

Indomethacin (marketed under brand names including Indocin®, Indomethacin capsules, Indomethacin oral suspension, and Indomethacin suppositories) is a prescription medicine used to treat pain, inflammation, fever, swelling, stiffness, or a combination of these. It is part of a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short.
 

Who Makes Indomethacin?

Merck & Co. manufactures Indocin. Teva Pharmaceuticals is one of a number of companies that manufacture generic indomethacin.
 

What Is Indomethacin Used For?

Indomethacin has been licensed for the relief of:
 
Indomethacin is not a cure for the types of arthritis listed above and it does not slow the progression of arthritis.
 
(Click Indomethacin Uses for more information on these uses, as well as a discussion of off-label uses for indomethacin.)
 

How Does Indomethacin Work?

Indomethacin and other NSAIDs are thought to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.
 

Indomethacin Effects

It is believed that blocking the effects of prostaglandins is what makes indomethacin useful for reducing pain, inflammation, and joint swelling associated with different forms of arthritis and painful conditions.
 

Indomethacin: When and How Do I Take It?

Some general considerations for when and how to take indomethacin include the following:
 
  • Indomethacin comes in capsules, oral suspension (liquid), and suppositories. Take capsules and liquid by mouth. Insert indomethacin suppositories into the rectum.
     
  • You may take your indomethacin dosage with a glass of water; taking it with milk or food may prevent stomach upset.
     
  • Do not break, chew, or crush the indomethacin tablets or suppositories.
     
  • If you are taking indomethacin for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, it may take several weeks before the medication begins to work to its full potential.
     
  • Take the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time in order to treat your condition. Doing so will decrease your chances of developing serious side effects associated with indomethacin.
     
  • Take indomethacin at the same time each day. This will help to maintain an even level of medicine in your blood.
     
  • For indomethacin to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Indomethacin will not work if you take it in a different way than your healthcare provider prescribes.
     

Indomethacin Dosing

The dose of indomethacin that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Dosing With Indomethacin for more information about indomethacin dosing.)
 

Side Effects of Indomethacin

(The side effects listed below are NOT a complete list of possible side effects of indomethacin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of indomethacin side effects with you.)
 
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with indomethacin. However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. When people do develop side effects of indomethacin though, in many cases they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by the patient or his or her healthcare provider.
 
Common side effects with indomethacin include:
 
  • Headache
  • Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
  • Nausea, with or without vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
  • Constipation
  • Spinning sensation (vertigo)
  • Excessive tiredness
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Swelling.
     
Less common but serious side effects include:
 
These possible serious side effects are shared with all NSAIDs; many of these side effects can lead to life-threatening complications or even loss of life.
 
(Click Indomethacin Side Effects to learn more about specific side effects of indomethacin, including information concerning serious side effects of the medication.)
 

Indomethacin Drug Interactions

Indomethacin potentially has a number of medicines with which it may interact.
 
(Click Drug Interactions With Indomethacin for more information about indomethacin and these other medicines.)
 

Indomethacin: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people using indomethacin or other NSAIDs (with the exception of aspirin) may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke than those who do not take NSAIDs. This risk may be higher in people who have been taking NSAIDs for a long time. These events can occur without any warning and can lead to death. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have or ever had any of the following:
 
Before taking indomethacin, let your healthcare provider know if you have:
 
  • Asthma
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Liver disease or liver failure
  • Kidney disease or kidney failure
  • Bleeding problems or are taking a medicine that decreases the ability for blood to clot
  • Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of them
  • Any allergies to medicines, including aspirin or other NSAID pain medicines.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Indocin and Pregnancy)
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Drink alcohol frequently
  • Smoke
  • Are having or have recently had heart surgery.
     
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Indomethacin for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take indomethacin.)
 

Indomethacin Overdose

People who take too much indomethacin may have overdose symptoms that could include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Intense headache
  • Mental confusion
  • Stomach pain
  • Excessive tiredness
  • Numbness
  • Convulsions.
     
If you happen to overdose on indomethacin, seek medical attention immediately.
 

Indomethacin: Storage Methods

Store indomethacin capsules, oral suspension, and suppositories at room temperature in a dry place. Keep indomethacin in an airtight container.
 
As with all medications, keep indomethacin out of the reach of children.
 

Indomethacin: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your indomethacin as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!
 

Indomethacin: Strengths

Indomethacin is available in several strengths, including:
 
  • Indomethacin 25 mg capsules
  • Indomethacin 50 mg capsules
  • Indomethacin 25 mg/5 mL -- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) contains 25 mg of indomethacin
  • Indomethacin 50 mg suppositories.
     

Generic Indomethacin

There is currently a generic form of indomethacin available.
 
(Click Generic Indomethacin for more information.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;