Indomethacin is a prescription medicine used to treat pain, inflammation, fever, swelling, stiffness, or a combination of these. It is marketed under brand names
Indocin®, Indomethacin capsules, Indomethacin oral suspension, and Indomethacin suppositories. The medication is part of a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or
NSAIDs for short.
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:
However, the medication is not a cure for these
types of arthritis, nor does it slow down their progression.
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.
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.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take indomethacin include the following:
- The medication comes in capsules, oral suspension (liquid), and suppositories. Take the capsules and liquid by mouth. Insert the suppositories into the rectum.
- You may take indomethacin with a glass of water; taking it with milk or food may prevent stomach upset.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the 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 the medication at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For indomethacin to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. This medication will not work if you take it in a different way than your healthcare provider prescribes.
The dose of indomethacin 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.
Side Effects of Indomethacin
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with indomethacin. However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. If people do develop side effects, in many cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
Common side effects include:
- Headache
- Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Constipation
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Excessive tiredness
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Swelling.
Potentially serious side effects include:
These possibly 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, including additional serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
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 healthcare provider 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 blood's ability to clot
- Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of either
- 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.
What If I Take an 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 take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Indomethacin Be Stored?
Store the capsules, oral suspension, and suppositories at room temperature in a dry place. Keep the medication in an airtight container.
As with all medications, keep indomethacin out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your indomethacin as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose.
Indomethacin is available in several strengths and forms, including:
- Indomethacin 25 mg capsules
- Indomethacin 50 mg capsules
- Indomethacin 25 mg/5 mL -- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) contains 25 mg of medication
- Indomethacin 50 mg suppositories.
There is currently a generic form of indomethacin available
(see Generic Indomethacin for more information).
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