This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Indocin Consumer Information
INDOCIN
Generic Name: indomethacin (in doe METH a sin)
Brand Names: Indocin, Indocin SR
What is the most important information I should know about indomethacin?
- Take indomethacin with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
- Do not crush, break, or chew any sustained-release formulations of indomethacin (e.g., Indocin SR). Swallow them whole.
- Contact your doctor if you experience bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
- If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, indomethacin may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
What is indomethacin?
- Indomethacin is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Indomethacin works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
- Indomethacin is used to reduce the pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, and bursitis.
- Indomethacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking indomethacin?
- Before taking indomethacin, tell your doctor if you
- have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
- have an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach,
- drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
- have liver or kidney disease,
- have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,
- have congestive heart failure,
- have fluid retention,
- have heart disease, or
- have high blood pressure.
- You may not be able to take indomethacin, or you may require a dosage ajdustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Do not use indomethacin suppositories if you have a history of inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) or if you have recently had rectal bleeding.
- It is not known whether indomethacin taken early in pregnancy will be harmful to an unborn baby. Indomethacin must not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because it can affect the baby's heart. Do not take indomethacin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
- Indomethacin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take indomethacin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take indomethacin?
- Take indomethacin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Take indomethacin with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
- Do not break, crush, or chew any sustained-release formulations of indomethacin (e.g., Indocin SR). Swallow them whole.
- To prevent irritation of the esophagus (throat), do not lie down for 15 to 30 minutes after taking an oral dose of indomethacin.
- To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of indomethacin with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose.
- Use the suppositories rectally as directed by your doctor. If you do not know how to properly use a suppository, ask your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist for instructions. Do not take the suppositories by mouth.
- Store indomethacin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The suppositories and suspension can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
- Symptoms of an indomethacin overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking indomethacin?
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Indomethacin may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
- If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, indomethacin may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.