Indomethacin

What is indomethacin?

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 and suspension (liquid) 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. Indomethacin capsules and liquid usually are taken two to four times a day. 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.

What special precautions should I follow?

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, or extended-release capsules. 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 while taking indomethacin.Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• the following nonprescription products may interact with indomethacin: aspirin and other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking indomethacin. Do not start any of these medications while taking indomethacin without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• 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.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant; or are breast-feeding. Indomethacin may harm the fetus and cause problems with delivery if it is taken around 20 weeks or later during pregnancy. Do not take indomethacin around or after 20 weeks of pregnancy, unless you are told to do so by your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking indomethacin, call your doctor.
• you should know that indomethacin may cause fertility problems in women. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.
• talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking indomethacin if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults usually should not 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 side effects can this medication cause?

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
• 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 or get emergency medical treatment:

• unexplained weight gain
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• swelling in the abdomen, ankles, feet, or legs
• fever, rash, lymph node swelling, or facial swelling
• 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.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• dizziness
• confusion
• extreme tiredness
• feeling of numbness, pricking, burning, or creeping on the skin
• seizures

🔗 Reference: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681027.html