What is the most important information I should know about indomethacin?
This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems,
including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use indomethacin. Do not
use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery
bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems,
such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or
balance.
This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines,
including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and
gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking indomethacin.
Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee
grounds.
Do not
drink alcohol while taking indomethacin. Alcohol can increase the risk of
stomach bleeding caused by indomethacin.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold,
allergy, or
pain medication without first
asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain
aspirin or
other medicines similar toindomethacin (such as
ibuprofen,
ketoprofen, or
naproxen). If you take
certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read
the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen,
or naproxen.
What is indomethacin?
Indomethacin is in a group 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 treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as
arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, or tendinitis.
Indomethacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking indomethacin?
Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems,
including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not
use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery
bypass graft, or CABG).
NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines,
including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and
gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID.
Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to indomethacin, or if you have a
history of
allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Before taking indomethacin tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
indomethacin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Taking indomethacin during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take indomethacin during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.
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.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 14 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
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