Indomethacin is a prescription drug that is used to fight fever, arthritis, gout, and other diseases. It belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. If used properly, indomethacin can reduce swelling and provide pain relief. But indomethacin must be taken carefully, because the drug can cause severe adverse reactions and even death in some people.

First approved in 1965, indomethacin is available in tablet, liquid, and suppository forms. The purpose of taking indomethacin is usually to alleviate pain; it generally does not cure the underlying disorder. It is often the first drug prescribed to treat attacks of gout, an extremely painful form of arthritis that has become increasingly common recently and usually strikes the big toe.

One disorder that indomethacin can cure is patent ductus arteriosus, a heart problem that often occurs in newborn infants. The condition arises when a newborn’s circulatory system fails to adjust to being out of the womb, which may cause the infant’s heart to work too hard. An injection of indomethacin given within a few days of birth will often take care of the problem.

Indomethacin shares many of the same possible negative side effects with other NSAIDs and may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. It can also cause nausea, headache, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, fatal intestinal problems have resulted from taking the medication.

People taking indomethacin should not drink alcohol or take over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medications without talking to a doctor. These other drugs may contain similar ingredients (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen) and could lead to an accidental overdose.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. Indomethacin is sometimes used off-label to slow preterm labor for up to 48 hours by slowing uterine contractions.
  2. Like other NSAIDs, indomethacin often can relieve menstrual pain.
  3. Indomethacin may worsen chronic health conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and psychotic disorders.