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 in generic form. Indomethacin belongs to a class of drugs known as NSAIDs and is commonly used to treat symptoms of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. The medicine is available in capsule, oral suspension, and suppository form.

Indomethacin Drug

What Is Indomethacin?

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.

Who Makes It?

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:

Osteoarthritis symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
Symptoms with ankylosing spondylitis
Gout symptoms
Shoulder pain, including pain caused by tendonitis or bursitis.

However, the medication is not a cure for these types of arthritis, nor does it slow down their progression.

(Click Indomethacin Uses for more information on these uses, including possible off-label uses.)

How Does It 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.

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