• 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.

Keep taking indomethacin and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;

• bloating, gas;

• dizziness, nervousness, headache;

• skin rash, itching;

• blurred vision; or

• ringing in your ears.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect indomethacin?

Before taking indomethacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

• diflunisal (Dolobid);

• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);

• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

• probenecid (Benemid);

• steroids (prednisone and others); or

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use indomethacin or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect indomethacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about indomethacin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Indomethacin is available with a prescription under the brand names Indocin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.