Indomethacin
 
What is Indomethacin and why is it prescribed?
Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve the inflammation, swelling, stiffness and joint pain associated with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Indomethacin is also used to treat bursitis, tendinitis, acute gouty arthritis, and other kinds of pain. You should have frequent checkups with your doctor if you take Indomethacin regularly. Ulcers or internal bleeding can occur without warning.

How should you take Indomethacin?
Follow your doctors directions for taking Indomethacin. Indomethacin should be taken with food or an antacid, and with a full glass of water. Never take on an empty stomach. If you are using Indomethacin for arthritis, it should be taken regularly. If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine, shake the bottle well before each use. Indomethacin SR capsules should be swallowed whole, not crushed or broken. Do not lie down for about 20 to 30 minutes after taking Indomethacin. This helps prevent irritation that could lead to trouble in swallowing. If you are using the suppository form of this medicine: (1) If the suppository is too soft to insert, hold it under cool water or chill it before removing the wrapper, (2) Remove the foil wrapper and moisten your rectal area with cool tap water, (3) Lie down your side and use your finger to push the suppository well up into the rectum. Hold your buttocks together for a few seconds, and (4) Indomethacin suppositories should be kept inside the rectum for at least 1 hour so that all of the medicine can be absorbed by your body. If you miss a dose take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule. Never take a double dose. The liquid and suppository forms of Indomethacin may be stored at room temperature. Keep both forms from extreme heat, and protect the liquid from freezing.

Are there any Indomethacin side effects?
Indomethacin side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Indomethacin side effects may include abdominal pain, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, ringing in the ears, sleepiness or excessive drowsiness, stomach pain, stomach upset, vertigo, and vomiting. Less common or rare Indomethacin side effects may include anemia, anxiety, asthma, behavior disturbances, bloating, blurred vision, breast changes, changes in heart rate, chest pain, coma, congestive heart failure, convulsions, decrease in white blood cells, fever, fluid in lungs, fluid retention, flushing, gas, hair loss, hepatitis, high or low blood pressure, hives, itching, increase in blood sugar, insomnia, kidney failure, labored breathing, light-headedness, loss of appetite, mental confusion, muscle weakness, nosebleed, peptic ulcer, problems in hearing, rash, rectal bleeding, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, stomach or intestinal bleeding, sweating, twitching, unusual redness of skin, vaginal bleeding, weight gain, worsening of epilepsy, and yellow eyes and skin.

What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Indomethacin?
If Indomethacin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Indomethacin with Aspirin, Beta-blockers (such as the blood pressure medications Tenormin and Inderal), Blood-thinning medicines (such as Coumadin), Captopril (Capoten), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune), Diflunisal (Dolobid), Digoxin (Lanoxin), Lithium (Eskalith), Loop diuretics (Lasix), Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Advil, Aleve, and Motrin), Potassium-sparing water pills (such as Aldactone), Probenecid (Benemid, ColBENEMID), The anticancer drug methotrexate, Thiazide-type water pills (such as Diuril), or Triamterene (Dyazide).

Are there any special warnings about Indomethacin?
Indomethacin prolongs bleeding time. If you are taking blood-thinning medication, Indomethacin should be taken with caution. Your doctor should prescribe the lowest possible effective dose. The incidence of side effects increases as dosage increases. Peptic ulcers and bleeding can occur without warning, especially in people over 65. Indomethacin should be used with caution if you have kidney or liver disease, and it can cause liver inflammation in some people. Do not take aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory medications while taking Indomethacin, unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, this drug can increase water retention. Indomethacin can mask the symptoms of an existing infection. Indomethacin may cause you to become drowsy or less alert. Indomethacin may also cause confusion and, rarely, psychosis, especially in older adults.
 

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