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indomethacin, Indocin, Indocin-SR

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GENERIC NAME: indomethacin

BRAND NAME: Indocin, Indocin-SR

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces fever, pain and inflammation. It is similar to ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). 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. Indomethacin is available in a sustained (slow) release form (Indocin-SR). The FDA first approved indomethacin in January 1965.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATIONS:

  • Capsules: 25 and 50 mg;
  • Capsules, sustained release: 75 mg;
  • Suspension: 25 mg/ml;
  • Suppositories: 50 mg.

STORAGE: Capsules should be kept at room temperature 15-30 C (59-86 F). Oral suspension and suppositories should be kept below 30 C (86 F). The oral suspension should not be frozen.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Indomethacin is used for the treatment of inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, and soft tissue injuries such as tendinitis and bursitis.

DOSING: The recommended dose for adults is 50-200 mg per day split into 2-3 doses. Indomethacin should be taken with food in order to reduce abdominal discomfort.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) may decrease the absorption of indomethacin by binding to indomethacin in the intestine and preventing absorption into the body. Indomethacin and other NSAIDs may decrease the elimination of lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) by the kidneys and, therefore, increase the blood level of lithium, which could lead to lithium toxicity.

Indomethacin may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of drugs that are given to reduce blood pressure. This may occur because prostaglandins play a role in the regulation of blood pressure. When indomethacin is used in combination with aminoglycoside antibiotics (for example, gentamicin) the blood levels of the aminoglycoside may increase, presumably because the elimination of aminoglycoside from the body is reduced. This may lead to aminoglycoside-related side effects.

Individuals taking oral blood thinners or anticoagulants [for example, warfarin (Coumadin)] should avoid indomethacin because indomethacin also thins the blood, and excessive blood thinning may lead to bleeding.

PREGNANCY: Use during pregnancy has not been adequately studied. Indomethacin may have adverse effects on the fetus.

NURSING MOTHERS: Indomethacin is excreted in breast milk and therefore should be avoided by nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, heartburn, rash, headache, dizziness and drowsiness.




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Related Drugs - WebMD Health Network

indomethacin, Indocin, Indocin-SR

What is reactive arthritis?

Reactive arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis featuring the following three conditions: (1) inflamed joints, (2) inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), and (3) inflammation of the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems.

This form of joint inflammation is called "reactive arthritis" because it is felt to involve an immune system that is "reacting" to the presence of bacterial infections in the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems. Accordingly, certain people's immune systems are genetically primed to react aberrantly when these areas are exposed to certain bacteria. The aberrant reaction of the immune system leads to spontaneous inflammation in the joints and eyes. This can be confounding to the patient and the doctor when the infection has long passed at the time of presentation with arthritis or eye inflammation.

Reactive arthritis has, in the past, been referred to as Reiter syndr...

Read the Reactive Arthritis article »







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