Generic Name: Indomethacin (IN-doe-METH-a-sin)
Brand names: Indocin
General Information about Indocin.
This drug belongs to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID). It is recommended to treat such symptoms as inflammation, pain and fever. This medication possesses the same effect as naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin). This remedy helps to reduce the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are produced by your body and may cause pain and fever associated with inflammation. This pill blocks special kind of enzymes that make the level of prostaglandins reduce. As a result of treatment pain, fever and inflammation are reduced. Indocin is produced in a sustained (slow) release form (Indocin-SR). The interesting fact is that the FDA approved indomethacin back in January 1965.
Storage:
This medication must be stored at room temperature 15-30 C (59-86 F). Keep this remedy away from children and animals.
Suppositories and suspension must be stored at temperature about 30 C (86 F). Do not froze them.
When Should I Use Indocin?
Indocin is usually used to cure inflammation.
How do I take this drug?
Usually doctors prescribe 50-200 mg a day for adults. Split this dosage into two or three doses. In order to reduce the risk of problems with bowels, take Indocin with food.
Drug Interactions.
Colestipol (Colestid) and cholestyramine (Questran) can worsen the absorption of Indocin by binding to Indomethacin in the intestine and preventing absorption into the body.
Indocin and other NSAIDs can worsen the elimination of lithium by the kidneys and make the blood level of lithium higher. This may cause lithium toxicity.
Indocin may interact with the pills prescribed by healthcare provider to lower the blood pressure. This may happen because of prostaglandins role in the blood pressure regulation. When Indocin is taken along with some antibiotics (gentamicin for example) the blood levels of the aminoglycoside may increase. It can lead to aminoglycoside-related side effects.
Avoid taking this drug if you take pills for blood pressure regulation as well as anticoagulants otherwise this may cause bleeding.
Pregnancy and Lactation.
There is not enough information about using this remedy during pregnancy and lactation. Indocin may cause harm to the fetus and may be excreted in breast milk. So contact your physician before taking this drug.
Which side effects can I perceive from Indocin?
The most often side effects are as follows:
- This medication may worsen or cause ulcers or stomach or intestinal bleeding. NSAIDs reduce the ability of blood to clot. That is why the risk of bleeding after injury is increased.
- Indocin may cause ulceration of the intestine or stomach, and the ulcers may bleed. Sometimes, ulceration and bleeding can occur without abdominal pain. But person experiences weakness, black tarry stools, and dizziness upon standing (orthostatic hypotension).
- NSAIDs lessen the blood flow to the kidneys and impair function of the kidneys. The impairment often occurs in people with congestive heart failure or preexisting impairment of kidney function. Be careful using this remedy if you have or had these conditions.
- Don’t use this medicine if you have nasal polyps or an allergy to aspirin or other NSAIDs. If you take Indocin, it may increase the risk of severe allergic reactions.
This list of side effects may be not complete. Call your physician immediately if you experience any of the side effects.
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Do not share this medicament with others.
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