Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces fever, pain and inflammation. It is similar to ibuprofen and naproxen. Indomethacin works by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that the body produces to cause fever and pain that are associated with inflammation. Indomethacin blocks the enzymes that make prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase 1 and 2) and thereby reduces the levels of prostaglandins. As a result, fever, pain and inflammation are reduced. The FDA first approved indomethacin in January 1965.
Indomethacin works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Indomethacin is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, or tendinitis.
Indomethacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Indomethacin is a nonselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2, enzymes that participate in prostaglandin synthesis from arachidonic acid. Prostaglandins are hormone-like molecules normally found in the body, where they have a wide variety of effects, some of which lead to pain, fever, and inflammation.
Indomethacin has two additional modes of actions with clinical importance:
It inhibits motility of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, similar to colchicine.
It uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in cartilaginous (and hepatic) mitochondria, like salicylates.
These additional effects account as well for the analgesic and the anti-inflammatory properties.
This medication is used to reduce symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual pain, gout, tendinitis and bursitis. The primary symptoms of these conditions generally are pain, stiffness and swelling, all of which are reactions associated with the inflammatory response.
Indomethacin works to suppress inflammation in several ways. The primary mechanism of action is the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. This is achieved through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that is central to prostaglandin production. In addition, the drug reduces motility of certain types of white blood cells, which prevents them from migrating to sites of inflammation and escalating the response.
Indomethacin gout treatment involves treating an acute gout attack and preventing future recurrences with a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called indomethacin. For indomethacin gout treatment, the drug is typically administered orally via a 75-milligram extended release capsule. Like other NSAIDs, indomethacin can help control inflammation and reduce pain in individuals with gout.
First described in 1963 in the British Medical Journal, in general terms indomethacin is a prescription drug that halts the body’s production of prostaglandins, a substance that causes inflammation and pain. It is usually administered to relieve moderate to severe pain, tenderness, and swelling caused by various arthritic conditions. The drug is also used to treat tendinitis and bursitis, among many other similar conditions.
This medication is usually prescribed as a 75-milligram extended release capsule taken orally, but liquid and suppository forms are also available. Other dosage forms include injection, topical gel, and patches. Most forms of this drug are typically taken two to four times a day.
Gout is a form of arthritis that often affects the big toe’s base joint. The attacks of pain, joint tenderness, and redness are often sudden and severe. Indomethacin gout treatment aims to treat the immediate acute attack by controlling inflammation and pain while preventing a future recurrence.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking indomethacin and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
swelling or rapid weight gain;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.
Less serious side effects may include:
upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;
bloating, gas;
dizziness, nervousness, headache;
skin rash, itching;
blurred vision; or
ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
You must not use Indomethacin during pregnancy or if you are trying to become pregnant due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery.
You must not use Indomethacin while breastfeeding due to that seizures have been reported in a seven-day-old infant whose mother was treated with indomethacin in doses up to 200 mg per day during the puerperium. The authors speculated that the seizures were related to indomethacin exposure via breast milk.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
asthma, especially aspirin sensitive asthma
coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery within the past 2 weeks
depression
drinking alcohol
heart disease or circulation problems like heart failure or leg edema (fluid retention)
high blood pressure
kidney disease
liver disease
Parkinson's disease
seizures
stomach bleeding or ulcers
an unusual or allergic reaction to indomethacin, aspirin, other NSAIDs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
cidofovir
diflunisal
ketorolac
methotrexate
pemetrexed
triamterene
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
alcohol
antacids
aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
cyclosporine
digoxin
diuretics
lithium
medicines for diabetes
medicines for high blood pressure
medicines that affect platelets
medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
probenecid
steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
Review by Mr. John L.: User Rating: 9.0, August 12, 2008 8:15 PM
indomethacin for Gout, Acute: I use to eat spicy foods and very rich foods that cause my gout to act up. I couldn't even walk up the stairs. I woke up one morning and called my doctor. She recommended Indomethacin to me and in less than a week the pain was gone and I could move my knee with no pain. It really works.
Condition: Gout, 12/4/2011 4:19:48 PM
Reviewer: 25-34 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)
Comment: This medication caused me lose 7 units of blood. That was taking it after meals for only 1.5 days. Had to have a blood transfusion or else it would have killed me.
Review by Anonymous: User Rating: 9.0, June 13, 2008 7:22 PM
indomethacin for Cluster Headaches: 50mg (2 capsules) was very effective when pain was moderate to severe
Condition: Gout, 11/8/2011 8:56:15 AM
Reviewer: james_01@....net, 65-74 Male on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Patient)
Comment: helped with my gout ,with great results
Review by abcdez: User Rating: 10, January 28, 2011 3:13 PM
indomethacin for Back Pain: For back pain, this is [very good]. Fast acting, low cost, no side effects for either me or my wife. Most often used for lower back pain, usually of unknown cause. We start to use it after 1 day of pain that doesn't go away. Never need to use it for more than 2 days; often works within several hours. Always taken with a meal. ABSOLUTELY no side effects. Works when even the most expensive prescribed medications don't.
Condition: Gout, 5/25/2011 7:44:23 PM
Reviewer: 65-74 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)
Comment: I have experienced withdrawl symptoms after a few days of use, inclduing severe headache and vomitting.
Review by Anonymous: User Rating: 9.0, June 21, 2011 6:16 PM
indomethacin for Pain: 50 ... and 1st time taking indomethacin for a bone infection, works great, strong fast acting, sometimes it leaves me with a buzzed sleepy feeling... The whole body ACHE /PAIN is gone. My wife took one and she said her knee pain was gone.
Condition: Gout, 4/30/2011 11:54:58 AM
Reviewer: 75 or over Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)
Comment: seemed to ease pain quickly, but side effects were terrible Stomach cramps, headache and extreme dizziness
Review by Anonymous: User Rating: 7.0, June 8, 2011 11:37 AM
indomethacin for Rheumatoid Arthritis: This medicine works but don't expect it to work overnight. It takes a week, maybe two.
Condition: Gout, 3/28/2011 3:30:36 PM
Reviewer: 45-54 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)
Comment: took for 3.5 dys - extreme gas/blot, swelling in hands, headache, gained 5 lbs. realized it must be the med, stopped immediately!
Condition: Gout, 12/30/2010 12:25:51 PM
Reviewer: 45-54 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)
Comment: I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS MEDICATION FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IT HAS ALWAYS WORKED FOR ME.
Condition: Gout, 9/30/2009 1:22:15 AM
Reviewer: 45-54 Female on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)
Comment: This the first and only med that has worked to get rid of my gout and it is fast acting to get rid of the pain caused by it.
Condition: Gout, 1/5/2009 4:02:54 PM
Reviewer: 65-74 Female (Patient)
Comment: I could barely walk because of extreme pain in my big toe and the ball of my foot right below the toe) Within one day of using this medication, the pain went away. I also suffer from extreme pain on the left side of my neck, where the tendon runs from my back up to the base of my skull. It's like a stretched rubber band, and hurts so badly, it causes a headache. Plus I have an inflammed right shoulder joint which causes great pain. The reason I mention this is I noticed when I took this medicine for gout, my pain also went away in my neck tendon and my shoulder. It completely relieved the pain in both. Unfortunately this is not safe for prolonged use.
Condition: Gout, 10/14/2008 10:41:58 AM
Reviewer: 25-34 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)
Comment: Indomethacin is a very effective medicine, and after two pills cut down the pain for me. I did not experience any side-effects while using it. I was happy with it.