Indocin
® (
indomethacin) is a prescription medicine used to treat pain, inflammation, fever, swelling, and stiffness. It is part of a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or
NSAIDs for short.
Indocin is manufactured by Merck & Co.
Indocin has been licensed for the relief of:
Indocin is not a cure for
arthritis; it does not slow the progression of arthritis.
Indocin 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 Indocin useful for reducing pain, inflammation, and joint swelling associated with different forms of
arthritis and painful conditions.
Indocin: When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Indocin include the following:
- Indocin comes in capsule, oral suspension (liquid), and suppository forms. Take capsules and liquid by mouth. Insert Indocin suppositories into the rectum.
- You may take your Indocin capsules with a glass of water; taking the Indocin dosage with milk or food may prevent stomach upset.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the Indocin capsules or suppositories.
- If you're using Indocin to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, it may take several weeks before the medication begins to work to its full potential.
- Be sure to take the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time in order to treat your condition. This will decrease your chances of developing serious side effects.
- Take Indocin at the same time each day. This will help to maintain an even level of medicine in your blood.
- For Indocin to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Indocin will not work if you take it in a way other than how your healthcare provider prescribes.
The dose of Indocin 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.
(The side effects listed below are NOT a complete list of possible side effects of Indocin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Indocin side effects with you.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Indocin. However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. When people do develop Indocin side effects though, in many cases they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by the patient or healthcare provider.
Common side effects with Indocin 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 associated with
NSAIDs in general and can lead to life-threatening complications or even loss of life.
(Click Indocin Side Effects to learn more about specific side effects of Indocin, including information about signs of serious side effects that may occur.)
Drug Interactions With Indocin
Indocin potentially has a number of medicines with which it may interact.
Indocin: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people using Indocin 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 Indocin, 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.
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may currently be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much Indocin 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 Indocin, seek medical attention immediately.
Store Indocin capsules, oral suspension, and suppositories at room temperature in a dry place. Keep Indocin in an airtight container.
Keep Indocin and all medications out of the reach of children.
Indocin: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Indocin 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!
Indocin is available in several strengths, including:
- Indocin 25 mg capsules
- Indocin 50 mg capsules
- Indocin 25 mg/5 mL -- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) contains 25 mg of indomethacin
- Indocin 50 mg suppositories.
A generic form of Indocin is available.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print